Samsung is leading the charge in mainstreaming artificial intelligence (AI) technology with its latest Galaxy phones, promising a significant leap in the intelligence of smartphones as they become more deeply intertwined with our daily lives.
During a recent unveiling of the next generation of its flagship Galaxy models, Samsung showcased how smartphones are evolving, with a strong emphasis on AI-driven features. Drew Blackard, Samsung’s vice president of mobile product management, highlighted the pivotal role of AI in the new Galaxy S24 lineup, stating, “We are ushering in a new era where AI is taking center stage.”
The Galaxy S24 series will not only feature Samsung’s own advancements in AI but also integrate the latest innovations from Google. These technological enhancements come at a price, with the top-of-the-line Galaxy S24 Ultra priced at $1,300, representing an 8% increase from the previous year. The Galaxy S24 Plus will maintain its price at $1,000, while the basic Galaxy S24 will start at $800.
Scheduled for release on January 31, the new Galaxy phones boast a plethora of AI-driven functionalities. These include live translation during phone calls in 13 languages and 17 dialects, as well as Google’s “Circle To Search” feature, which allows users to highlight snippets of text, photos, or videos for instant search results.
Moreover, the Galaxy S24 lineup introduces intuitive tools for manipulating images captured by the device’s camera, facilitating both photo refinement and potential misuse.
Samsung’s move to integrate more AI into its smartphones aligns with Google’s efforts to infuse AI into its Pixel phones, enhancing features like photo alterations and the Circle To Search tool. This strategic alignment between Samsung and Google underscores the broader industry trend of incorporating AI to enhance user experiences.
While Apple is expected to follow suit with AI integration in its upcoming iPhones, Samsung’s early adoption positions it to capitalize on the growing demand for AI-powered devices. With Samsung trailing behind Apple in smartphone sales, the incorporation of advanced AI features presents an opportunity to regain market share and differentiate its offerings.
As AI becomes increasingly integrated into smartphones, it raises implications for productivity, creativity, and privacy. Todd Lohr, U.S. technology consulting leader for KPMG, envisions scenarios where smartphones provide daily summaries based on continuous listening—a prospect that raises questions about data ownership and privacy.
To address privacy concerns, Samsung emphasizes on-device processing for AI features, supplemented by its “Samsung Knox” security protocol. This approach aims to reassure users about the security of their personal data while leveraging AI capabilities.
Michael Kokotajlo, KPMG’s digital transformation partner of telecommunications, believes that AI-driven smartphones will resonate particularly with younger generations, who are accustomed to mobile computing and prioritize AI capabilities over privacy concerns.
As Samsung and other smartphone manufacturers continue to embed AI into their devices, the evolution towards AI-assisted experiences heralds a new era of smartphone functionality, blurring the lines between technology and daily life.