Samsung Galaxy devices could soon charge for AI features

Samsung Galaxy Devices Could Soon Charge for AI Features

Seoul, South Korea – Samsung’s recent press releases for its new lineup, including the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE, Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus, and Samsung Galaxy S10 Ultra, contain a notable footnote indicating that certain AI features may not remain entirely free in the future. According to SamMobile, the exact wording notes: “Fees may apply to certain AI features at the end of 2025.” While this statement lacks specificity, it suggests that the comprehensive AI experience currently offered may come with a cost starting in late 2025.

This update is not unprecedented. A similar disclaimer was included with the launch information for the Samsung Galaxy S24 series earlier this year, hinting at Samsung’s ongoing strategy to monetise some of its AI functionalities. The exact features that may incur charges and the potential price structure remain undisclosed.

The integration of AI into consumer devices typically involves substantial computational power and energy resources, which likely contributes to Samsung’s decision to consider a fee for extended AI services. For comparison, services like Google and OpenAI’s ChatGPT Plus already charge users around $20 (approximately £15 / AU$29) per month for more advanced capabilities. There are rumours that the price of ChatGPT Plus may significantly increase in the coming years.

Similarly, Apple is also known to be exploring the monetisation of its AI offerings. While Apple’s imminent rollout of its Apple Intelligence AI services will initially be free, there is speculation that more sophisticated features could eventually be bundled into a paid subscription like Apple One.

Currently, Samsung users can continue to enjoy AI functionalities without additional costs. These capabilities include image editing, live translation, and note summaries, among others. However, frequent users should be prepared for the possibility that some of these features may eventually require a subscription or one-time fee.

As Samsung continues to develop and introduce new AI-driven features, it will be important to monitor how this potential shift towards paid services might unfold. Further details from Samsung are anticipated as the end-of-2025 timeline approaches.

For now, Samsung remains silent on the specifics, emphasising only that more AI innovations are on the horizon.

Source: Noah Wire Services