Samsung AI features on 100 mn Galaxy phones by year-end: mobile chief

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Samsung Electronics Co., said on Wednesday it aims to have at least 100 million units of its flagship Galaxy line of smartphones equipped with a variety of artificial intelligence features by the end of this year.

To do so, the South Korean tech giant plans to roll out AI features to some of its earlier models in the Galaxy S series, let alone its latest handsets, through software updates in the first half.

Initially, software updates will be applied to models launched last year such as the Galaxy S23, Galaxy Z Flip5, Z Fold5 and Galaxy Tab S9.

"As an industry leader with over a billion mobile users, Samsung wants to contribute to the industry’s mobile AI push,” said TM Roh, president and head of Samsung’s Mobile eXperience (MX) division, during a media briefing with Korean reporters at the Galaxy Unpacked 2024 event.

“With the software upgrade, we expect about 80-90% of the latest S24 model’s AI features to be available on our existing smartphones,” he said.

Earlier in the day, Samsung premiered the Galaxy S24 series, which the company touted as the world’s first AI smartphone, during the showcase event at the SAP Center in San Jose.

The new device is replete with AI enhancements, from Samsung and Alphabet Inc.’s Google, including built-in live translation of calls and a new search tool, Circle to Search, which lets users circle an image on the phone to get related information.

DOUBLE-DIGIT SALES GROWTH IN 2024

Roh said he expects Samsung to post double-digit smartphone sales growth this year, aided by the new Galaxy S24 series.

“AI technology applied to the S24 is a hybrid AI that combines on-device AI that can be used without an internet connection and existing cloud-based AI tech,” the executive said.

“We aim to expand Samsung AI beyond smartphones to other devices such as TVs, home appliances and cars.”

To retain Samsung smartphone users, he said the company plans to offer its clients seven times of operating system upgrades and seven years of mobile security updates starting with the S24 models.

Regarding the possibility of introducing paid AI services on the Galaxy smartphones, Roh said, “We’ve just started mobile AI services, so we don’t plan to charge our users for AI functions soon.”

Addressing concerns about a sharp drop in battery power due to various AI functions, he said: “No need to worry about that.”

GALAXY RING

At Galaxy Unpacked 2024, Samsung sprung a surprise by previewing the Galaxy Ring, an upcoming health-tracking gadget, with which it plans to challenge its archrival Apple Inc. on another front.

No details, including the device’s functions and its launch date, were released through the teaser video at the show, but Samsung said it plans to bring it to market by the end of this year.

The company registered the trademark of the name “Galaxy Ring” with the Korean Intellectual Property Office in February 2023.

Company officials said the new health tracker, worn on the finger, will be more convenient and enable more precise measurements than the Samsung Watch worn on the wrist.

The Galaxy Unpacked event comes days after Samsung lost the crown of the world’s biggest smartphone maker to Apple and its iPhone.

"Samsung accepts the results humbly and with a heavy heart," Roh said. "We will strengthen competitiveness in all segments to regain our market leadership.”

Write to Jin-Suk Choi at iskra@hankyung.com
In-Soo Nam edited this article.