Samsung AI Arriving on Older Galaxy Devices in May

Samsung Doubles Down on Older Devices as Galaxy AI Expansion Targets 800 Million Users

Samsung is making a bold bet on artificial intelligence, planning to bring Galaxy AI features to older flagship devices starting this May whilst targeting 800 million AI-enabled devices by 2026. The South Korean tech giant's aggressive rollout represents a significant shift in how manufacturers approach AI integration across device lifecycles.

The expansion comes as Samsung aims to double its current Galaxy AI footprint from 400 million devices, with older models from 2021 and 2022 receiving select features despite hardware limitations. This strategic move positions Samsung to compete more effectively against Apple and Chinese rivals in the Asia-Pacific smartphone market.

Legacy Devices Get AI Treatment, But With Compromises

Samsung's AI rollout will hit Galaxy S22 series, Galaxy S21 series, and Galaxy Z Fold and Flip models from recent years. However, the feature set varies significantly based on device capabilities and release years.

The 2022 flagship devices will receive what Samsung internally calls "Galaxy S23 FE level AI," excluding demanding features like Instant Slow-Mo due to processing constraints. Meanwhile, 2021 models including the Galaxy S21 trio and foldables will get a more limited selection focused on Circle to Search and "Magic Rewrite," which appears to be Samsung's localised version of Generative Edit.

These cloud-powered features represent Samsung's pragmatic approach to bringing AI capabilities to older hardware without overwhelming device limitations. The company confirmed the rollout through employee posts on Korean forums, aligning with earlier hints about expanding AI access beyond premium devices.

Executive Vision Drives All-Product AI Integration

Samsung's leadership is pushing an aggressive AI-first strategy across all product lines, driven by competitive pressures and technological opportunities in the rapidly evolving smartphone market.

"We will apply AI to all products, all functions, and all services as quickly as possible," said T.M. Roh, President and Head of Samsung's Mobile Experience Business and co-CEO.

The executive team believes AI adoption will accelerate dramatically in the coming months, moving beyond current tentative implementations to mainstream acceptance.

"Although AI technology may seem a bit hesitant right now, within six months to a year it will become more widespread," Roh explained during recent investor discussions.

This vision extends beyond smartphones to tablets and other consumer devices as Samsung seeks to create an integrated AI ecosystem across its product portfolio.

Asia-Pacific Market Strategy Takes Centre Stage

Samsung's AI expansion particularly targets Asia-Pacific markets where the company faces intense competition from local manufacturers and Apple's growing presence. The rollout includes specific optimisations for regional use cases and partnerships.

Key regional initiatives include:

• Integration with local cloud services and language processing capabilities across major APAC markets
• Partnerships with regional AI providers beyond Google's Gemini, including potential Baidu collaborations
• Multimodal AI features designed for diverse Asian languages and cultural contexts
• Real-time translation and camera-based AI tools optimised for cross-border business and travel
• Enhanced privacy controls meeting varying regional data protection requirements

The strategy reflects Samsung's recognition that AI capabilities increasingly drive purchasing decisions in premium smartphone segments across Asia.

Technical Challenges Shape Feature Distribution

The varied AI feature rollout across device generations reflects genuine hardware constraints rather than artificial market segmentation. Older processors and memory configurations limit which AI operations can run smoothly on legacy devices.

Cloud-based processing helps overcome some limitations, but Samsung's approach balances functionality with user experience. Features like Magic Rewrite rely heavily on server-side processing, whilst Circle to Search requires minimal local computation.

This technical reality influences Samsung's broader AI device strategy as the company considers how future hardware might better support AI workloads.

Will older Galaxy devices receive all Galaxy AI features?

No, feature availability depends on hardware capabilities. 2022 devices get most features but exclude processing-intensive options like Instant Slow-Mo. 2021 models receive only basic features like Circle to Search and Magic Rewrite.

When exactly will the AI features arrive on older devices?

Samsung confirmed the rollout will begin in May 2025, though specific dates may vary by region and device model. The company typically announces exact timing closer to release dates.

Do these AI features require internet connectivity?

Many features, particularly on older devices, rely on cloud processing and require internet connectivity. Some basic functions may work offline, but the full AI experience needs an active connection.

Will Samsung continue supporting AI features on these older devices long-term?

Samsung hasn't specified long-term support timelines, but the company typically provides several years of feature updates for flagship devices. Cloud-based features may have different support lifecycles than on-device capabilities.

How does Samsung's AI expansion compare to competitors like Apple?

Samsung's approach of bringing AI to older devices contrasts with Apple's tendency to reserve new features for recent models. This strategy could help Samsung retain users who might otherwise upgrade to access AI capabilities.