Recent rumors surrounding the highly anticipated Galaxy S24 suggest that the upcoming Samsung flagship may introduce on-device generative AI features, akin to ChatGPT. While this development could give Samsung an edge over competitors like the iPhone, it’s now speculated that users might have to pay a subscription for access to these AI capabilities.
A Potential Advantage Over Apple
The rumor mill has been abuzz with the possibility that the Galaxy S24 will feature built-in generative AI technology, offering a significant advantage over the iPhone. While “Apple GPT” is rumored to be in development for next year’s iOS 18 update, the Galaxy S24 could potentially deliver native generative AI features to users before Apple.
However, the specifics of this ChatGPT-like feature from Samsung remain unknown. Additionally, a recent rumor has suggested that Samsung might charge a subscription fee to Galaxy S24 users to access these on-device AI features.
Contradictory Claims
Revegnus, a reliable source of mobile rumors, mentioned Samsung’s purported plans for generative AI on the Galaxy S24. According to Revegnus, Samsung is actively considering offering on-device AI features as a subscription service.
This notion contradicts the logic of offering on-device AI features. The infrastructure and development required for ChatGPT-like technology are undoubtedly expensive. However, moving AI processing to the device itself, rather than relying on cloud-based services, should ideally lower costs. Thus, the idea of charging a subscription fee for “on-device” generative AI appears counterintuitive.
A Possible Scenario
A more reasonable approach could involve offering a basic ChatGPT-like service to all Galaxy S24 buyers for free, particularly for AI features that function directly on the device. For a more advanced generative AI experience, closer to ChatGPT Plus, a subscription might be required, likely involving access to cloud processing for complex tasks.
Challenges for Samsung
Nevertheless, if Samsung intends to beat Apple to market with a built-in generative AI assistant that rivals ChatGPT, charging a subscription could deter potential users. The fact that Samsung relies on Google’s Android operating system, while its Bixby assistant hasn’t achieved widespread acclaim, adds further complexity to the equation.
Considering the unproven nature of ChatGPT-like experiences on Samsung devices, it seems unlikely that users would be willing to pay for such a feature. Additionally, the impending entry of Apple into the GPT service arena further complicates the matter.
A Potential Partnership
One possible scenario is that Samsung has partnered with OpenAI or another entity for generative AI access. In such a case, it would make sense for Samsung to pay for access to ChatGPT or a similar language model. Passing these costs onto consumers, however, may not be a wise move, especially in the Android market, where users tend to spend less on digital services.
A more viable alternative could involve offering a ChatGPT Plus subscription to run OpenAI’s premium generative AI on the Galaxy S24, even if it doesn’t provide a native experience.
Awaiting the Galaxy S24
The Galaxy S24 event is reportedly scheduled for mid-January, and it won’t be long before we witness Samsung’s vision of generative AI on its devices. The question of extra costs for AI features will likely be addressed at the event, shedding light on the future of AI integration in Samsung’s flagship devices.
