Samsung hints at charging for Galaxy AI features after 2025

Samsung Electronics hinted at making its Galaxy AI features on future devices a paid service at a recent press conference.

Samsung Electronics unveils Galaxy S24 in San Jose, California, on Jan. 17. [NEWS1]

Samsung Electronics hinted at making its Galaxy AI features on future devices a paid service at a recent press conference.

"We are maintaining a cost-free policy for AI features until the end of 2025," said Kim Young-jip, head of the AI team at Samsung Electronics' mobile business division at a press conference held in the U.S. on Jan. 17.

"Beyond that timeframe, it's not confirmed yet. The service will expand rapidly on the back of the rapid progress of AI. Things will get decided depending on the situation."

Samsung Electronics recently unveiled its first on-device AI smartphone Galaxy S24 series where users can utilize an array of AI features without being connected to the internet. Call and text translation and photo editing powered by AI are some of the key functions.

These features, however, from 2026 might not be provided for free.

The description box for the Galaxy S24 line on Samsung Electronics' official webpage states that "Galaxy AI features are provided for free on Samsung Galaxy devices that support them until 2025."

Roh Tae-moon, head of Samsung Electronics' mobile business division recently told the press that "there's no consideration of transitioning AI features to paid service as it is at a beginning stage," but added that, "If AI gets advanced and a lot more resources are used, some customers might want 'high-performance' features even if it comes with a cost. We are going to put thoughts into it from diverse aspects."

BY JIN EUN-SOO, CHOI SUN-EUL [jin.eunsoo@joongang.co.kr]