Short answer: Galaxy AI is Samsung’s set of AI features built into Galaxy phones, tablets, watches, earbuds and Galaxy Book laptops. It launched with the Galaxy S24 in January 2024 and needs One UI 6.1 or later. Some features run on the device and others in the cloud, many of them on Google’s Gemini models. It covers live call and face-to-face translation (Live Translate, Interpreter), writing, note and recording tools (Writing Assist, Note Assist, Transcript Assist), photo and video editing (Photo Assist, Audio Eraser, My FanCam), Circle to Search with Google, and proactive help (Now Brief, Now Nudge). Samsung says the basic features are free, but it may charge for future “enhanced” features. Third-party features such as Gemini’s paid tiers have their own terms. You’ll find every setting under Settings → Galaxy AI, including a switch that keeps processing on the device.
Updated for One UI 9 (Android 17) · Last checked October 11, 2026 · By Stephen Jacob
This page is the SamScopes hub for Galaxy AI. It explains what Galaxy AI is and how it works, summarises every current feature, shows which devices get which features, and covers privacy, languages and the main problems. Where we have a deeper guide, each section links to it. Galaxy AI is one layer of One UI, so for everything else in Samsung’s latest software update, start with our One UI 9 guide.
Galaxy AI at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| What it is | Samsung’s suite of AI features inside One UI and Samsung’s apps |
| Launched | January 17, 2024, with the Galaxy S24 series |
| Minimum software | One UI 6.1 (Android 14) |
| Current generation | Galaxy S26 series, which Samsung calls its “third-generation AI phone” |
| Where processing happens | A mix of on-device and cloud, with a switch to keep it on the device |
| Main AI partner | Google: Gemini models on the device and in the cloud, Circle to Search, the Gemini assistant |
| Other assistants | Bixby (Samsung) and Perplexity, alongside Gemini, on the S26 series |
| Devices | Phones from the Galaxy S24 onward, older flagships through updates, some A series phones, Galaxy Tab, Watch, Buds, Ring and Galaxy Book |
| Price | Basic features free; future “enhanced” and third-party features may cost money |
| Languages | 22 for translation and transcription features; 13 to 41 depending on the feature |
| Settings | Settings → Galaxy AI (One UI 6.1.1 onward) |
What is Galaxy AI?
Galaxy AI is the name Samsung gives to the AI features built into its Galaxy software. It isn’t a single app or chatbot. It’s a set of tools spread through One UI and Samsung’s own apps: the Phone app, Samsung Keyboard, Gallery, Samsung Notes, Voice Recorder, Samsung Internet and Samsung Health. Samsung describes it as “an AI companion that comes integrated into Samsung Galaxy phones, tablets and wearables” (Samsung).
Its defining attributes:
- Built in, not downloaded. It arrives with One UI. Samsung’s support page says One UI 6.1 or higher is required (Samsung support).
- Hybrid processing. Some features run on the phone’s processor and others in the cloud, and you can choose (Samsung).
- Built on partners as well as Samsung’s own models. Google supplies Gemini models, Circle to Search and the Gemini assistant. Perplexity is an assistant option on the S26 series.
- Account-based. Samsung says you need to sign in to your Samsung account and Google account “to get the full Galaxy AI experience” (Samsung support).
- Varies by device, region and language. Every Samsung footnote repeats that availability depends on the country, One UI version, model and carrier.
- Free at the basic level. See Is Galaxy AI free? below.
- Large. Samsung expected Galaxy AI on more than 400 million devices by the end of 2025, and told Reuters it aimed to double that to 800 million mobile devices in 2026 (Samsung Newsroom India, Reuters).
The four-star Galaxy AI icon is how you spot it. Samsung says some features run automatically in the background, while others appear when you tap that icon in apps such as Gallery (Samsung).
Is Galaxy AI the same as Gemini?
No, although they overlap. Gemini is Google’s AI model family and its assistant app. Galaxy AI is Samsung’s feature set, and some of its features use Gemini models underneath. In practice:
- Samsung features such as Interpreter, Note Assist, Photo Assist, Now Brief, Now Nudge and Audio Eraser carry Samsung’s branding and settings, whatever model sits behind them.
- Google features such as Circle to Search and the Gemini app come from Google and appear on Galaxy phones through the partnership.
- Bixby is Samsung’s own assistant. On the S26 series it’s a “conversational device agent” that changes settings from natural language (Samsung Newsroom).
This matters for cost. Samsung’s free promise covers its own basic features, and Google sets the terms for Gemini.
How Galaxy AI has changed since 2024
| Generation | Launch | What it added |
|---|---|---|
| 1st: Galaxy S24 | January 2024, One UI 6.1 | Live Translate, Interpreter, Chat/Writing Assist, Note Assist, Transcript Assist, Browsing Assist, Generative Edit, Circle to Search |
| 2nd: Galaxy S25 | 2025, One UI 7 | Now Brief and the Now bar on the lock screen |
| 3rd: Galaxy S26 | February 25, 2026, One UI 8.5 | Now Nudge, Photo Assist by description, Creative Studio, Call Screening, upgraded Bixby, Gemini and Perplexity as agents |
| One UI 9 | July 22, 2026 (Z Fold8, Z Flip8), then updates from September 16 | My FanCam, Now Brief custom cards, Now Nudge in notifications, Call Brief, AI Assistant Activity, Gemini app automation across 40+ apps (US and Korea) |
Sources: Samsung and Google Cloud’s 2024 announcement, Samsung’s S26 and Fold8 launch releases, and our One UI 9 guide.
How does Galaxy AI work: on-device or cloud?
Both. Samsung lets you decide where your Galaxy AI data is processed, “either locally on device or out in the cloud” (Samsung). Lighter tasks run on the phone’s NPU. Heavier generative work, such as rewriting text, summarising long recordings or filling in part of a photo, goes to a server.
What runs on the device and what needs the cloud?
Samsung’s support page gives the broad split. “Most translations are handled on the device itself,” as are Gallery edit suggestions, while “most other features require a network connection and will utilize the cloud in some way” (Samsung support). SamMobile tested the on-device-only switch on a Galaxy S24+ running One UI 7 (SamMobile):
| Feature | Works on the device only | Needs the cloud |
|---|---|---|
| Live Translate (calls) | Everything | Nothing |
| Interpreter | Everything | Nothing |
| Transcript Assist | Transcription (in SamMobile’s test; Samsung says a network is needed) | Summaries |
| Writing Assist | Chat translation, style and grammar, suggested replies | Composer, Summarise, Organise |
| Note Assist | Translate, transcribe | Auto format, Summarise, spelling and grammar, cover, sketch to image |
| Browsing Assist | Translation | Summarise, read highlights aloud |
| Photo Assist | Edit suggestions | Generative edit, sketch to image, Portrait studio |
| Drawing Assist | Nothing | Everything |
SamMobile notes the split can differ by phone and firmware, so newer models may keep more on the device. Treat the table as a guide, not a guarantee for One UI 9.
The Google Gemini partnership
Google is Galaxy AI’s main partner. At the S24 launch, Samsung and Google Cloud announced a multi-year deal. Samsung became the first Google Cloud partner to deploy Gemini Pro and Imagen 2 on Vertex AI to consumers, for summaries in Notes, Voice Recorder and Keyboard and for Generative Edit in Gallery. The S24 also used Gemini Nano, Google’s on-device model (Samsung Newsroom).
The partnership has grown since then:
- Circle to Search with Google is on every Galaxy AI phone. On the S26 series it recognises several objects in one image (Samsung Newsroom).
- Gemini as an agent. On the S26, Gemini can carry out multi-step tasks such as booking a taxi. Google said this started as a beta in the US and Korea, opened with a long press of the side button and powered by Gemini 3 series models (Google).
- Gemini Intelligence arrived with the Fold8 and Flip8 in July 2026. App automation now works in more than 40 apps, still limited to the US and Korea in US English and Korean, for users aged 18 and over. Samsung says more languages and regions are due “within this year.” Gemini Notebook (formerly NotebookLM) comes preinstalled on the new foldables (Google, Samsung Newsroom).
- Scam Detection on the S26 uses Google’s on-device Gemini model inside Samsung’s Phone app (Google).
Perplexity is the other partner. On the S26 series, Samsung offers “a choice of agents, including Gemini and Perplexity” alongside Bixby. On the Galaxy Tab S12, Alt plus the keyboard’s Galaxy AI Key switches between Bixby, Gemini and Perplexity (Samsung Newsroom).
Every Galaxy AI feature in One UI 9
Here’s the current feature set on a Galaxy S26 or Z Fold8 running One UI 9, grouped by what it helps with. Each entry is a short summary; availability on older phones is in the devices section. Most features have a switch under Settings → Galaxy AI. For step-by-step instructions and our scored ranking of all 28, see every Galaxy AI feature explained and ranked.
Calls and translation
- Live Translate (Call Assist): translates phone calls in real time, as voice and on-screen text. Samsung says it works in the Samsung Phone app and in apps such as WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, Signal, Line, WeChat, Telegram, Meet and Kakao Talk (Samsung support).
- Interpreter: translates a face-to-face conversation, opened from a Quick settings tile. On One UI 9, Thread View lets you scroll back through the conversation, and translations can play through Galaxy Buds3 and Buds4 earbuds.
- Call Screening: answers calls from unknown numbers, asks who’s calling and why, and shows the reply as text. Samsung says it must be switched on manually (Samsung). Our settings guide has the setup.
- Call Brief (One UI 9): shows context on the call screen, such as the other person’s local time. See setting 23.
- Chat translation: translates messages inside the keyboard as you type (part of Writing Assist).
Writing, notes and recordings
- Writing Assist: proofreads, reformats, rewrites in a different tone or summarises any text you select, through the Samsung Keyboard and other text fields (Samsung).
- Note Assist: formats, summarises and translates notes in Samsung Notes, including imported PDFs.
- Transcript Assist: turns recordings into text with speaker labels, then summarises or translates them. Files must be under 3 hours. On One UI 9, Voice Recorder summaries use headings and tables.
- Browsing Assist: summarises and translates web pages in Samsung Internet.
- Document Scan: detects documents in the camera and cleans them up, removing distortions, corner folds and stray fingers. On One UI 9, Multi-Scan handles up to 350 pages per session (Samsung).
- Notification highlights: moves the notifications you care about to the top and summarises long ones.
Photos and video
- Photo Assist: move, resize or erase objects and let AI fill the gap, or describe the edit in your own words (“make it night”). On One UI 9 you can also say the request out loud. Samsung adds a visible watermark to generated results, and Generative Edit saves at up to 12MP (Samsung support).
- Edit suggestions: Gallery suggests fixes for the photo or video you’re viewing, such as remastering, colourising, removing reflections and adding portrait effects. Samsung says these run on the device.
- Creative Studio: creates custom content such as personalised sticker sets in the style you describe. It needs a network connection.
- Audio Eraser: separates six kinds of sound (voices, music, wind, nature, crowd and noise) so you can turn down the ones you don’t want. It works in the Gallery video editor and, from the Quick Panel, on video you stream in some apps. More in hidden feature 21.
- My FanCam (One UI 9): crops a group video to follow one person, in the aspect ratio you pick. See hidden feature 20.
- Auto Trim: builds a highlight clip from your videos.
- Camera AI: the ProVisual Engine and AI ISP process every shot. Samsung markets these as AI, though you don’t switch them on. Our S26 Ultra camera settings cover the controls that matter.
Proactive help
- Now Brief: a personalised briefing of your schedule, reservations, travel updates, health, news and reminders. On One UI 9 you can write up to three custom cards, with a daily limit on how often you generate or edit them. See hidden feature 27.
- Now bar: live activities and media controls on the lock screen.
- Now Nudge: suggests the next step from what’s on screen. If a friend asks for trip photos, it offers them from Gallery; if a message mentions a meeting, it checks your calendar. On One UI 9 it also appears in conversation notifications and as a floating button. Setup is setting 24 in our settings guide.
- Personal data intelligence: the opt-in that lets Now Brief, Now Nudge and Call Brief use data from apps you choose (see privacy).
Search and assistants
- Circle to Search with Google: press and hold the Home button or navigation handle, then circle, scribble on or tap anything on screen to search it. It needs an internet connection and doesn’t work in apps that block screenshots, such as banking or streaming apps (Samsung support). Our S26 Ultra tips guide shows where to turn it on. For every gesture, feature and fix, see how to use Circle to Search.
- AI Select: select part of the screen and it suggests actions, such as making a GIF, saving an image or setting it as wallpaper. Open it from the Edge panel.
- Bixby: Samsung’s assistant. On the S26 series it’s a conversational device agent that understands natural language, changes phone settings for you and can search the web for answers.
- Gemini and Perplexity: third-party assistants that can act across apps on recent models.
Health, security and foldable extras
- Health Assist, Energy Score and Bedtime Guidance: AI insights in Samsung Health from Galaxy Watch and Galaxy Ring data. Bedtime Guidance needs three days of sleep data (Samsung).
- Privacy Alerts and Security Brief (One UI 9): on-device AI flags apps using permissions they don’t need, and Now Brief can include a security summary.
- AI Assistant Activity (One UI 9): a log of what AI assistants did in your apps (see privacy).
- Foldable-only features: auto zoom and auto framing for cover-screen shots, plus AI-suggested replies on the cover screen, on the Z Flip6, Flip7, Flip7 FE and Flip8 (Samsung support).
For the One UI 9 additions by device, see the features table in our One UI 9 guide. For how these tools behave on Samsung’s current flagship, see Galaxy AI tools on the S26 Ultra.
Which Galaxy devices support Galaxy AI?
Every Galaxy flagship phone from the S24 onward supports Galaxy AI out of the box, and older flagships from the S22 onward got part of it through updates. Recent A series phones get a cut-down set, and most current tablets are covered. Samsung’s US support pages list the models, but two of them disagree on the oldest devices, so the table below notes where that happens (Samsung support, Samsung support).
| Device family | Galaxy AI status | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Galaxy S26, S26+, S26 Ultra | Full suite out of the box | Everything above, including Now Nudge, Call Screening, Photo Assist by description, and Gemini and Perplexity agents. One UI 9 is rolling out |
| Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Z Fold8, Z Flip8 | Full suite, ships with One UI 9 | Plus Gemini Intelligence app automation (US and Korea), Gemini Notebook preinstalled, Now Brief on the Flip8’s FlexWindow |
| Galaxy S26 FE | Ready out of the box (One UI 9) | Samsung lists My FanCam and the One UI 9 AI features for it |
| Galaxy S25, S25+, S25 Ultra, S25 Edge, Z Fold7, Z Flip7, Z TriFold | Full suite | One UI 9 rolling out; Now Nudge’s expansion and My FanCam arrive with it |
| Galaxy S24, S24+, S24 Ultra, Z Fold6, Z Flip6 | Full suite (the first Galaxy AI phones) | Now Brief came with One UI 8. One UI 9 began rolling out to the S24 series in South Korea on October 6 |
| Galaxy S25 FE, S24 FE, Z Flip7 FE | Supported | Samsung says features “may be limited” on the S25 FE and S24 FE |
| Galaxy S23 series, S23 FE, Z Fold5, Z Flip5 | Added by software update | Core features since One UI 6.1. One UI 9 is in beta |
| Galaxy S22 series, Z Fold4, Z Flip4 | Added by software update, reduced set | No One UI 9 for the S22 series |
| Galaxy S21 series, S21 FE, Z Fold3, Z Flip3 | Listed on one Samsung US page only | Samsung’s two support pages disagree. Expect a small subset at most |
| Galaxy A57, A56, A37, A36, A27, A26, A17, A16 5G | Supported, “features may be limited” | Branded Awesome Intelligence (see below) |
| Galaxy Tab S12+, Tab S12 Ultra, Tab S11 series, Tab S10+ and Ultra, Tab S9 and S8 series | Supported | Tab S12 adds the Galaxy AI Key on its keyboard |
| Galaxy Tab S10 FE, S10 FE+, S10 Lite, Tab A11+ | Supported, limited | Samsung lists fewer features |
| Galaxy Tab S9 FE, S9 FE+ | Samsung pages disagree | One page says no Galaxy AI, another says limited support |
To check your own phone, open Settings and look for Galaxy AI. On some models it sits under Advanced features, labelled Galaxy AI, Intelligent features or Awesome Intelligence. If it isn’t there, update the phone. For where your phone is in the One UI 9 rollout, see our One UI 9 release date and supported devices tracker. For a primer on every Galaxy model line, see our guide to every Galaxy device family.
Galaxy AI on A series phones: Awesome Intelligence
Samsung brands the A series’ AI as Awesome Intelligence, a smaller set of features. On the Galaxy A57 and A37 it includes Circle to Search with multi-object recognition, AI Select (long-press the Edge panel), the enhanced Object Eraser and, for the first time on the A series, Voice Transcription in Voice Recorder (Samsung Newsroom). Don’t expect Now Nudge, Now Brief or the full generative Photo Assist on an A series phone. If those matter to you, buy at least an FE model.
Is Galaxy AI free?
Yes for the basic features, with two exceptions. Samsung’s current wording is: “Galaxy AI basic features provided by Samsung are free. Future releases may include enhanced features or new services that are offered on a paid basis. Different terms may apply for AI features provided by third parties.” The “basic features” are those listed under “Advanced intelligence” in Samsung’s Services Terms and Conditions (Samsung).
How we got here:
- 2024 to 2025: Samsung’s launch footnotes said Galaxy AI features would be “provided free of charge until the end of 2025,” and its US Galaxy AI page said they were “complimentary through 2025” and that a “purchase may be required after the complimentary period.”
- July 9, 2025: at Galaxy Unpacked, Samsung said it had “no plans” to charge for Galaxy AI features “provided by default,” although its footnote still said “until the end of 2025” (Android Police, 9to5Google).
- January 2026: Samsung replaced the 2025 deadline with the “basic features are free” wording (SamMobile, Android Authority).
- Since then: the same wording appears on Samsung’s S26 and Z Fold8 product pages, in its One UI 9 (September 14, 2026), Tab S12 and Galaxy Book6 announcements, and on its support pages. A few regional pages were never updated: Samsung Gulf’s “Free or Paid?” support article (updated June 30, 2026) still says “until December 31, 2025,” and Samsung Levant’s support page (updated May 18, 2026) still says “until the end of 2025.” The global wording is the current one.
The two exceptions: Samsung could launch paid “enhanced” features, and third-party AI isn’t covered. Samsung includes a six-month Google AI Pro trial with the Z Fold8 series, Z Flip8, Galaxy S26 FE and Tab S12 (not the S26, S26+ or S26 Ultra). After it, Google One charges $19.99 a month in the US or AED 76.99 in the UAE unless you cancel (Samsung Newsroom, Samsung Gulf). Gemini’s own free and paid tiers are set by Google, not Samsung. For the full wording history, what “enhanced” could mean, every bundled trial and the UAE position, read is Galaxy AI free?
Galaxy AI privacy and data controls
Galaxy AI gives you more control than most phone AI, but the controls are spread across a few menus. Samsung’s protections, from its own pages:
- Personal Data Engine (PDE): processes your personal data on the device for features like Now Brief and Now Nudge. It works only while Personal data intelligence is on, and Samsung says the analysed data is deleted when you turn that off.
- Knox Enhanced Encrypted Protection (KEEP): encrypts each app’s data separately (One UI 8 and later). Knox Vault stores sensitive data in separate secure hardware.
- Your choice of processing: on-device only, or on-device plus cloud.
Sources: Samsung and the Fold8 launch release.
What are the Advanced intelligence settings?
“Advanced intelligence” is the name Samsung uses for its Galaxy AI settings and in its Services Terms and Conditions. Samsung’s Fold8 release says PDE, KEEP and Knox Vault work “together with Advanced Intelligence settings and Personal Data Intelligence to help users control how AI features manage and use personal data.” On One UI 6.1 the menu was Settings → Advanced features → Advanced intelligence. From One UI 6.1.1 it became its own entry, Settings → Galaxy AI (SammyGuru). The menu holds:
- Process data only on device: a master switch that stops cloud processing for Galaxy AI. Samsung’s support page confirms it’s at Settings → Galaxy AI (Samsung support).
- Per-feature switches: Call assist, Writing assist, Photo assist, Interpreter, Now Brief, Now Nudge and the rest, each with its own options.
- Personal data intelligence: which apps Galaxy AI may learn from, such as Phone, Calendar and Messages. Samsung’s Now Nudge page reaches it through Settings → Galaxy AI → Now nudge → Personal data intelligence, where Manage personal data stores details such as your name or passport number for form filling (Samsung support).
Should you turn on Process data only on device?
Turn it on if you’d rather lose summaries and generative edits than send content to a server. Live Translate, Interpreter and Transcript Assist keep working, while Composer, summaries and generative photo edits stop (see the table above). If you want Now Brief and Now Nudge to be useful, leave it off and limit Personal data intelligence to the apps you’re comfortable with. We give a recommended setup in setting 22 of our settings guide, and the S26 Ultra version is in our S26 Ultra settings guide.
AI Assistant Activity
One UI 9 adds AI Assistant Activity, which Samsung calls “a centralized view of AI automations running on their behalf.” It shows which apps an assistant such as Gemini opened and what it did, and links to that agent’s settings (Samsung Newsroom). Samsung names it for the Fold8 and Flip8. Third-party guides place it at Settings → Security and privacy → AI assistant activity, and owners report it on the S26 Ultra. Check it now and then if you let assistants act in your apps.
How to turn Galaxy AI features on or off
To turn features on: sign in to your Samsung account. Samsung says this “will automatically activate all the AI features,” and the first time you use AI in an app, a pop-up explains it (Samsung support). A few features stay off until you switch them on, including Call Screening and, on some builds, Now Nudge.
To turn a feature off, Samsung’s steps are:
- Open Settings.
- Tap Galaxy AI. On some models, tap Advanced features first, then Galaxy AI or Awesome Intelligence.
- Tap the feature, for example Call assist, and turn off the switches you don’t want.
- Restart the phone so the change takes effect.
Some features are switched off in their own app instead: the Phone, Notes, Camera, Gallery, Messages, Samsung Health and SmartThings apps each have AI options in their settings. Samsung warns that “some AI features may be integrated into the system and cannot be disabled” (Samsung support).
Other switches people look for:
- Circle to Search: Settings → Display → Navigation bar → Circle to search.
- Gemini on the side button: Settings → Advanced features → Side button, where you choose what a long press opens.
- Cloud processing: Settings → Galaxy AI → Process data only on device.
- Personal data: Settings → Galaxy AI → Now nudge → Personal data intelligence.
You can’t uninstall Galaxy AI. Samsung also warns that “disabling AI features may affect the performance and functionality of your device.”
Galaxy AI languages, including Arabic
Language support depends on the feature. As of July 2026, Samsung lists (Samsung):
| Feature | Languages | Arabic? |
|---|---|---|
| Photo Assist, Creative Studio, Writing Assist | 41 | Yes |
| Call Assist (Live Translate), Note Assist, Interpreter, Transcript Assist | 22 | Yes |
| Now Nudge | 16 | Yes |
| Now Brief | 13 | No |
| Call Screening | 13 | No |
| Bixby voice | 12 accents and dialects | No |
The 22-language group covers Korean, English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese, Polish, Hindi, Thai, Vietnamese, Arabic, Indonesian, Russian, Turkish, Dutch, Swedish, Romanian, Filipino and Gujarati. Filipino and Gujarati were the latest additions, in October 2025 (Samsung Newsroom India). Arabic has been supported since 2024.
To add a language, go to Settings → General management → Language packs and tap the download arrow next to it (Samsung Gulf). Packs are free. Live Translate and Interpreter need the pack for both languages in the conversation.
Galaxy AI in the UAE: what works and what doesn’t
I’m based in Dubai, so this is the section I get asked about most. Galaxy AI is sold and supported in the UAE, and Samsung Gulf publishes its own Galaxy AI pages. What that means in practice:
- Works in Arabic: Live Translate, Interpreter, Transcript Assist, Note Assist, Writing Assist, Photo Assist and Now Nudge (per Samsung’s list). Because Arabic is in the 22-language translation group, Arabic ⇄ English works in both Live Translate and Interpreter.
- No Arabic: Now Brief, Call Screening and Bixby voice. Run the phone in English if you want those.
- Not in the UAE yet: Gemini’s app automation on the S26 and Fold8 is limited to the US and Korea.
- Gemini itself: Google lists the UAE as a supported country for the Gemini app, and Gemini supports Arabic (Google).
- One UI 9 timing: Samsung Gulf hasn’t published local dates. See when One UI 9 comes to the UAE.
Galaxy AI on watches, tablets, Buds and Galaxy Book
Galaxy AI runs mainly on the phone, but Samsung extends it to its other devices. Our Samsung ecosystem guide explains how they connect. Here’s what each gets.
Galaxy Watch
On the watch, AI shows up mainly in health. The Galaxy Watch9 and Watch Ultra2 add AI-based features including Vitals (alerts when your overnight baseline shifts), Heart Health Score, Daily Cardio Load, Fitness Index and a Sleep Apnea feature with FDA clearance (Samsung Newsroom). Energy Score and Bedtime Guidance work with Galaxy Watch data. Gemini runs on the watch, and the Watch9 and Ultra2 add Raise to Talk: lift your wrist and speak, with no button or wake word (Samsung Newsroom Canada). More in our Galaxy Watch 9 guide.
Galaxy Tab
Galaxy Tab S models get the phone feature set. Samsung lists fewer features for the FE and Lite models. The Tab S12+ and S12 Ultra ship with One UI 9 and push AI for study and work: three-way split screen with Note Assist summarising while a lecture plays, a Galaxy AI Key on the Pro Keyboard, a Gemini Notebook workspace and a six-month Google AI Pro trial (Samsung Newsroom).
Galaxy Buds
The Buds work as the microphone and speaker for the phone’s AI. Interpreter can play its translations through Buds3 and Buds4 series earbuds, and One UI 9 speeds that up. On the Buds4 series you can start Bixby, Gemini or Perplexity hands-free with your voice. The Buds4 Pro add Head Gestures to manage calls and talk to Bixby without touching anything; they’re off by default and you turn them on in the Galaxy Wearable app (Samsung Newsroom Canada). See Galaxy Buds4 vs Buds4 Pro for which to buy.
Galaxy Book
Galaxy Book6 laptops run Windows, so Galaxy AI there is a Samsung layer next to Microsoft’s Copilot+ features. Samsung lists AI Select (select text with your fingertip on the touchscreen to get information about it), AI cut out (background removal), natural-language search for photos, files and settings, and Note Assist summaries and translation (Samsung Newsroom India). With Link to Windows, you can start a Generative Edit on the phone and keep editing on the PC, or read a Live Translate conversation on the laptop’s larger screen.
Galaxy Ring feeds sleep data into Vitals and Energy Score. Samsung’s Galaxy XR headset and its smart glasses run Google’s Gemini rather than the phone’s Galaxy AI suite, so they’re outside this guide for now; see newer Galaxy categories.
Galaxy AI vs Apple Intelligence vs Google Pixel
All three now lean on Google’s Gemini in some way. Apple says its new Apple Foundation Models were “custom-built in collaboration with Google and its Gemini models” (Apple). The differences are in devices, languages, assistants and cost.
| Galaxy AI (One UI 9) | Apple Intelligence (iOS 27) | Google Pixel 11 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Latest launch | One UI 9, July 22, 2026 (Fold8); S26 series February 2026 | Siri AI and iOS 27, September 14, 2026 | Pixel 11 series, August 12, 2026 |
| Models | Samsung models plus Google Gemini (on device and cloud) | Apple Foundation Models built with Google’s Gemini; on device and Private Cloud Compute | Gemini Nano on Tensor G6, plus Gemini in the cloud |
| Assistant | Bixby, Gemini or Perplexity | Siri AI (beta in English; five more languages next month) | Gemini |
| Devices | Galaxy phones from S24 (older via updates), A series (limited), tablets, watches, Buds, Galaxy Book | iPhone 15 Pro and later, M1 iPads and Macs, Apple Watch Series 9 and later | Pixel phones; Gemini app on other Android phones |
| Arabic | Yes for translation, writing and photo tools; no for Now Brief, Call Screening and Bixby | Not a supported language | Gemini app supports Arabic; Pixel-only features not confirmed |
| Privacy approach | A switch to process data only on device | On-device processing plus Private Cloud Compute | On-device tasks run on Gemini Nano |
| Cost | Basic features free; enhanced and third-party may be paid | Server features have daily limits, and Apple says expanded access will cost money | Free features; Pro models include 6 months of Google AI Pro (US offer terms) |
Sources: Apple, Apple support, Google, Samsung.
Which is best? For translation and Arabic, Galaxy AI clearly leads: Interpreter, Live Translate on calls and Arabic support in most tools have no full equivalent on iPhone. Pixel has the tightest Gemini integration and the fastest on-device model. Apple’s strength is privacy architecture and its ecosystem, but Siri AI is still in beta and in English first. If you’re choosing between flagships, see our Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 17 Pro Max comparison.
Known Galaxy AI issues and fixes
Most “Galaxy AI isn’t working” problems come down to the account, the region or a setting. Status as of October 11, 2026:
| Issue | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| A feature is missing from Settings → Galaxy AI | Not supported on your model, region or language | Check the device table; update the phone and Samsung apps in Galaxy Store |
| Features are limited or greyed out | Not signed in to a Samsung or Google account | Sign in to both (Samsung says features may otherwise be “limited or unavailable”) |
| Summaries and generative edits stopped | Process data only on device is on | Turn it off, or accept on-device-only features |
| Now Nudge doesn’t appear after updating | The switch, Auto suggestion or location permission is off | Settings → Galaxy AI → Now nudge; turn on Auto suggestion; allow location |
| Now Brief custom cards fail or stop | Daily generation limit (Samsung), or server errors on One UI 9 (owner reports) | Try again the next day |
| Circle to Search does nothing in some apps | The app blocks screen capture (banking, streaming) | Expected behaviour; take a photo or use another app |
| Photo Assist result is smaller and watermarked | Generative edits save at up to 12MP with an AI watermark | By design |
| Gemini app automation isn’t offered | US and Korea only, English (US) and Korean, 18+ | No fix outside those markets yet |
| Google and Gemini notification controls don’t work on One UI 9 | Owner reports on Samsung Community | Update Google apps; send an error report |
Report bugs through Samsung Members → Support → Error reports right after they happen. For S26 Ultra-specific One UI 9 issues, see our problems guide.
Where to go next on SamScopes
- One UI 9 explained: the full One UI 9 update, including its Galaxy AI additions
- One UI 9 release date and supported devices: when your phone gets One UI 9
- Samsung settings to change in One UI 9: the Galaxy AI settings worth changing on any Galaxy
- Samsung hidden features: including My FanCam, custom Now Brief cards and Audio Eraser for streaming
- Galaxy S26 Ultra tips and tricks: every Galaxy AI tool on the S26 Ultra
- 25 Galaxy S26 Ultra settings to change first: the AI settings on Samsung’s flagship
- Galaxy S26 Ultra guide: the complete owner’s handbook
- The Samsung ecosystem explained: how Galaxy devices work together
- Samsung Galaxy guide: every Galaxy device family
Galaxy AI FAQ
Is Galaxy AI free to use?
Yes, for the basic features Samsung provides. Since January 2026, Samsung’s wording says they’re free, without the old “through 2025” deadline. Samsung may charge for future “enhanced” features, and third-party services such as Google AI Pro have their own prices. Our Galaxy AI pricing explainer has the dated timeline and the trial offers by device.
Does Galaxy AI use Gemini?
Partly. Galaxy AI is Samsung’s feature set; Gemini is Google’s AI model and assistant. Some Galaxy AI features use Gemini models, and the Gemini app is preinstalled on Galaxy phones, but they’re separate products with separate settings and terms.
Which Samsung phones have Galaxy AI?
Every Galaxy S, Z Fold and Z Flip phone from the S24 generation onward has the full suite. The S23, S22, Z Fold4/5 and Z Flip4/5 got part of it through updates. Recent A series phones (A57, A56, A37, A36, A27, A26, A17, A16 5G) get a limited set called Awesome Intelligence.
Will my Galaxy S23 get Galaxy AI?
It already has it. The S23 series got Galaxy AI with One UI 6.1 in 2024. It’s also in the One UI 9 beta, though newer features such as Now Nudge aren’t confirmed for it.
Does Galaxy AI work offline?
Partly. Live Translate, Interpreter and Transcript Assist work on the device once the language packs are downloaded. Summaries, generative photo edits, Circle to Search and the assistants need an internet connection.
Is Galaxy AI private?
You get real controls: on-device-only processing, Personal data intelligence permissions, Knox protection for on-device data and, on One UI 9, a log of what AI assistants did. Anything processed in the cloud leaves your phone, so use Process data only on device if that matters to you.
Can you turn off Galaxy AI completely?
You can turn off most features in Settings → Galaxy AI and in individual apps, and stop all cloud processing with one switch. Samsung says some AI features are built into the system and can’t be disabled, and Galaxy AI can’t be uninstalled.
Does Galaxy AI work in Arabic?
Mostly. Arabic is supported for Live Translate, Interpreter, Transcript Assist, Note Assist, Writing Assist, Photo Assist and Now Nudge. Now Brief, Call Screening and Bixby voice don’t support Arabic.
Is Galaxy AI available in the UAE?
Yes. Galaxy AI phones sold in the UAE include it, and the Arabic language pack is a free download. Gemini’s app automation isn’t available there yet; it’s limited to the US and Korea.
Is Galaxy AI worth it?
For most owners, three features justify it: Circle to Search, Interpreter or Live Translate, and Photo Assist’s object eraser. The proactive features (Now Brief, Now Nudge) are improving but depend on how much data you let them use. If your phone has Galaxy AI, it costs nothing to try. Our ranking of every Galaxy AI feature gives each one a worth-it or skip verdict.
The bottom line
Galaxy AI is Samsung’s AI layer across One UI: translation, writing, photo editing, search and proactive suggestions, built partly on Google’s Gemini and partly on Samsung’s own work. On a Galaxy S24 or newer you get the full set, while older flagships, A series phones and FE models get less. The basic features are free and, since January 2026, without an end date. The settings worth checking are under Settings → Galaxy AI: decide how much cloud processing and personal data you’re comfortable with, download the language packs you need, and switch on Call Screening. For everything else that changed in Samsung’s latest software, read our One UI 9 guide.
