TECHWEEK
The new flagships Samsung Galaxy S24, presented on January 17 at the Galaxy Unpacked 2024 event, received built-in artificial intelligence for the first time. The wide range of Galaxy AI technologies based on Gemini neural networks includes translation of phone calls in real time, deleting and moving objects in photos, chat assistant for messages, transcription of audio content and smart contextual search Circle to Search. As it turns out, these and other AI capabilities will only be free for a while, after which they will require a separate fee to use them.
A clarifying footnote from the Galaxy S24 specifications on Samsung’s US website notes that Galaxy AI features are free until the end of 2025. Considering that the company promises 7 years of Android updates and security patches for the latest line, 2 years of free AI (from the date of announcement) looks relatively short. Of course, the period may be extended later, but there is no information yet on how exactly Galaxy AI is planned to be deployed in the future – it could be a certain one-time amount for a period or a monthly subscription with additional benefits.
Some of the AI features offered through partnerships with Google and third parties may remain free for a longer period of time, according to Samsung – but that too isn’t specific. The Galaxy AI suite is also confirmed to be coming to other Galaxy smartphones and tablets. In the first quarter of 2024, a major One UI 6.1 update will be released for the Galaxy S23, Galaxy S23+, Galaxy S23 Ultra, Galaxy S23 FE, Galaxy Z Fold 5, Galaxy Z Flip 5 and the Galaxy Tab S9 series.
Let us remind you that the retail price of the base Galaxy S24 model starts at $799. The Galaxy S24+ will start at $999, and the Galaxy S24 Ultra is priced at $1,299 in the minimum configuration. Global sales will begin on January 31.
