Galaxy S24: Samsung hints at paid subscription for AI features

The Samsung Galaxy S24 (approx. 899 euros on Amazon) and the Galaxy S24 Ultra offer many AI functions, which Samsung recently demonstrated in hands-on videos. In the small print of the English-language product page, the Korean technology giant now states that Galaxy AI features will only be available free of charge until the end of 2025.

Samsung has not yet commented on what users of a Galaxy S24 will have to expect from the beginning of 2026. However, as many of the new functions based on artificial intelligence rely on software and servers from third-party providers, especially Google, to function, it is quite conceivable that Samsung will pass on the fees Google charges to users in the form of a paid subscription. This makes sense, especially if the range of functions is expanded through updates to include additional AI features that may require more server capacity.

As Samsung is promising seven major Android updates for the first time with the Galaxy S24, a paid subscription for certain features could also serve to generate additional revenue from users who no longer switch to a new smartphone as often. According to SellCell, consumers now only buy a new smartphone every 3.7 years on average, compared to every 2.4 years a decade ago. In any case, users need both a Google account and a Samsung account to use certain AI features. Functions such as Circle to Search, the AI-based image editing functions, and the note assistant, which can summarize texts, also require an Internet connection.