Samsung Electronics’ co-CEO has revealed an ambitious plan to double the number of mobile devices relying on AI features powered by Google’s “Gemini” model, reaching 800 million units in 2026. This move comes to strengthen the alliance with Google in the face of fierce competition from Apple and Chinese companies.
Article contents:
- Expansion plan details
- Strategic partnership with Google
- Competition with Apple and China
- Consumer technology adoption
- Chip shortage and pricing challenges
- Frequently asked questions
Expansion plan details
TM Roh explained, in his first interview since taking on his new role, that Samsung deployed AI features in about 400 million products last year. It now aims to double this figure in 2026 by applying artificial intelligence to “all products, all functions, and all services as quickly as possible.” This includes smartphones, tablets, and even home appliances.
Strategic partnership with Google
As the largest supporter of the Android system, Samsung’s move provides a massive boost to Google in the AI model race. This comes following Google’s launch of the latest “Gemini 3” version, forcing competitors like OpenAI to accelerate the development of their models. This alliance ensures a wide distribution of Google’s smart services across a massive global user base.
Competition with Apple and China
Samsung seeks to reclaim the title of the largest smartphone manufacturer from Apple, which outperformed it last year. The company is betting on providing an integrated and advanced AI experience to distinguish its devices from Chinese competitors and iPhones. Roh focuses on widening the technical gap through exclusive features and continuous improvements.
Consumer technology adoption
Samsung surveys indicated that awareness of the “Galaxy AI” brand jumped from 30% to 80% in one year. Roh stressed that consumers frequently use generative photo editing, translation, and summary features, expecting these technologies to become an essential part of daily life over the coming months.
Chip shortage and pricing challenges
Roh acknowledged that the global shortage of memory chips is putting pressure on smartphone profit margins, despite its benefit to the company’s semiconductor sector. He did not rule out raising prices for some products, describing the impact as “inevitable,” but emphasized working with partners to minimize the burden on consumers amid expectations of market contraction.
Frequently asked questions
What is Samsung’s numerical goal in 2026?
Answer: Reaching 800 million devices powered by “Gemini” AI features.
Will Samsung phone prices increase?
Answer: There is a strong possibility of price increases due to the rising global cost of memory chips.
What are the most used smart features?
Answer: Search, generative photo editing, and live translation.
