Galaxy AI Explained: Every Main Feature, Which Phones Get It and Whether It’s Free
Samsung's Galaxy AI bundles translation, writing, photo and note tools into One UI. Here's what each feature does, which phones get it, and how to keep your data on the phone.
Galaxy AI is Samsung’s set of AI features built into One UI on recent Galaxy phones and tablets: call and in-person translation, writing help, note and recording summaries, AI photo editing and Google’s Circle to Search. Samsung currently says its basic Galaxy AI features are free, though it reserves the right to charge for future enhanced features. If you want to limit what leaves your phone, turn on Process data only on device in the Galaxy AI settings.
Below is what each main feature does, which phones support it and which features stop working when you go on-device only.
The main Galaxy AI features
Names and the exact lineup change with each One UI version, and some features depend on your region and language. These are the core ones on current flagships.
| Feature | What it does | Where to find it |
|---|---|---|
| Circle to Search | Circle anything on screen to search it with Google | Long-press the home button or navigation bar handle |
| Live Translate | Translates phone calls in both directions in near real time | Phone app during a call |
| Interpreter | Split-screen translation for face-to-face conversations | Quick settings panel |
| Writing and chat help | Suggests replies, changes tone, fixes grammar in the Samsung Keyboard | Galaxy AI icon on the keyboard toolbar |
| Note Assist | Summarizes, formats and translates notes | Samsung Notes |
| Transcript Assist | Transcribes recordings, labels speakers, summarizes | Voice Recorder |
| Browsing Assist | Summarizes or translates web pages | Samsung Internet |
| Photo Assist / generative edit | Move or erase objects, expand backgrounds, restyle images | Gallery, edit a photo |
| Audio Eraser | Reduces wind, crowd or other noise in videos | Gallery, edit a video |
| Now Brief | A personalized daily summary of weather, calendar and more | Lock screen and Now Bar on newer models |
Newer phones running One UI 8.5 add tools such as Call Screening, which can answer unknown callers and show you why they’re calling. Samsung has brought some of these newer features to older flagships through updates, but not always all of them.
Two things to know: Circle to Search is a Google feature that Samsung includes, and Samsung phones also ship with Google’s Gemini assistant, which is separate from Galaxy AI. If Gemini is the part you don’t want, see how to turn off Gemini on Android. For more on Circle to Search itself, read our Circle to Search and Google Lens guide.
Which Galaxy phones get Galaxy AI?
Samsung’s US Galaxy AI page says Galaxy AI is supported on smartphones from the Galaxy S24 series onward, which includes the S24, S25 and S26 families, the FE models in those lines and the matching Z Fold and Z Flip foldables. Some Galaxy Tab models and Galaxy Watch and Buds features are supported depending on model and software version.
Older flagships, such as the Galaxy S23 series and earlier foldables, received a subset of Galaxy AI features through updates, and some mid-range Galaxy A models get a smaller, lighter set. In both cases the newest features usually arrive on the latest flagships first, or not at all on older hardware.
To check your own phone, update it (Settings > Software update > Download and install) and then look for Settings > Galaxy AI. On older One UI versions, the same options sit under Settings > Advanced features > Advanced intelligence. How long your phone keeps getting new features also depends on its update window; see how long phones get updates.
Is Galaxy AI free?
When Galaxy AI launched in 2024, Samsung said the features would be free “until the end of 2025,” which led to a lot of speculation about a subscription. As of October 2026, Samsung’s US Galaxy AI page says basic Galaxy AI features provided by Samsung are free, and that future releases may include enhanced features or new services offered on a paid basis. It also notes that AI features from third parties, like Google, can have different terms.
In practice: the features listed above don’t require a subscription today. Google’s paid AI plans can add extra Gemini capabilities on top, but that’s a Google product, not Galaxy AI. Check Samsung’s official Galaxy AI page if you’re reading this later, as terms can change.
How to keep Galaxy AI processing on your phone
Some Galaxy AI features run entirely on the phone; others send data to Samsung or Google servers for processing. You can force on-device processing for Samsung’s own features:
- Open Settings.
- Tap Galaxy AI (on older One UI versions: Advanced features > Advanced intelligence).
- Scroll to the bottom and turn on Process data only on device.
With it on, features that can run locally keep working, such as Live Translate for calls, Interpreter and keyboard writing-style and grammar suggestions. Features that need cloud models are restricted or switched off, typically including generative photo edits, note and recording summaries and web page summaries. The exact list varies by model and One UI version, and the settings screen shows what’s affected.
This switch doesn’t control Google services. Circle to Search and Gemini follow Google’s own settings and privacy policy.
How to turn individual features on or off
- Go to Settings > Galaxy AI.
- Tap a feature, such as Call assist, Writing assist or Note assist.
- Toggle it off, or adjust options like translation languages. You may need to download language packs for offline translation.
Turning off a feature you don’t use won’t free much storage, but it removes the related buttons and suggestions from apps.
Accuracy and safety caveats
- Translations can be wrong. Live Translate is handy for booking a table or asking directions, but don’t rely on it for medical, legal or financial conversations.
- Summaries can miss things. Read the original recording or note before acting on anything important.
- Edited photos are labeled. Images changed with generative edit get a watermark and metadata noting AI was used. Don’t remove it to pass an image off as unedited.
- Tell people before you record or translate calls. Recording laws vary by state, and some require everyone’s consent.
Bottom line
Galaxy AI is a free, built-in toolkit on Galaxy S24 and newer phones (with partial support on some older and mid-range models). Its translation and summarizing tools are genuinely useful, but double-check anything important. If privacy is your priority, switch on Process data only on device and accept that a few cloud-powered features will stop working.
FAQ
Will Samsung start charging for Galaxy AI?
Samsung currently says basic features are free but that future enhanced features or new services may be paid. There’s no announced subscription for the existing features as of October 2026.
Does Galaxy AI work offline?
Some features do, such as on-device call translation and Interpreter after you download language packs. Cloud features like generative photo edits need a connection.
Is Circle to Search part of Galaxy AI?
Samsung markets it with Galaxy AI, but it’s a Google feature that sends your selection to Google Search.
Can I remove Galaxy AI completely?
No, it’s part of One UI. You can switch off individual features and force on-device processing.
