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Not only did Samsung beat Apple and Google to the punch with so-called AI phones—launching Galaxy AI in early 2024—but Samsung also does AI better than Gemini, despite being based on Google’s software.
The Clear Option for On-Device Processing Only
I’m not keen on what’s being sold to us as AI. Okay, if that sentence doesn’t give it away, I’m downright skeptical of AI.
But it’s not that I think the technology is inherently bad. I primarily think running all of this software in the cloud, using extensive amounts of energy, and handing over even more information about ourselves isn’t that appealing a trade for software that only works somewhat well.
However, if you make AI tools run specifically on my device, that addresses both of my primary concerns. Thankfully, Galaxy AI has an explicit option to only allow on-device processing. Sure, I sacrifice a little quality and functionality when I select this box, but at least that’s a choice I’m able to make.
Here’s the tricky part: Google supports on-device AI, too. Google gives its “on-device” AI the name Gemini Nano, which is available on Pixel phones and some non-Pixel phones. But it’s pretty fuzzy when you’re using Gemini Nano and when you’re using regular Gemini. In theory,Gemini Nano should compete with the likes of ChatGPT—and in some ways it already does.
I’m More Likely to Actually Use Galaxy AI’s Integrations
Galaxy AI isn’t presented as an AI chatbot for me to talk to, which is great. I’m not interested in talking to ChatGPT, Gemini, or any other computer.
Instead, Galaxy AI is baked into apps in functional ways. It’s present in the Samsung Gallery app to remove objects from pictures—a feature I use all the time as someone whose job is to take pictures of gadgets covered with dust and fingerprints you don’t notice until they’re on camera.
You can also move objects around, with okay results.
The ability to transcribe voice recordings is a potentially useful one, too. If it works reliably, getting Samsung Notes to organize a note into bullet points can be helpful as well. Tapping the “summarize” button on a website can be useful if you’re just looking for the gist of something to confirm if you should give it a deeper read.
The less AI is presented as a “person” and the more it appears as a useful button I can press, the more likely I’ll be to jump on board. Some of my colleaguesalready swear by Galaxy AI’s various features.
Fewer of Samsung’s AI Features Strike Me As Inherently Bad
I don’t use most Galaxy AI features often, but that’s primarily out of privacy concerns and a lack of need. However, few of the features strike me as inherently dangerous. Sketch-to-image is tacky, but it’s unlikely to generate believable fake imagery. Do I want AI baked into the keyboard? Not really, but that doesn’t concern me all that much.
Holding a Pixel 9 in my hands left me with a different feeling entirely. Google’s Pixel Studio is a tool whose entire point is to make up images that don’t exist and to make those images as believable as possible.
During my timereviewing the Pixel 9 Pro, Google’s safeguards did little to prevent me from creating images that could lead to hysteria if used maliciously. If someone posts an image of a wrecked bike in the middle of a road, how many of us know what to look for to determine whether the image is fake? How many of us stop to ask ourselves if the image is fake in the first place?
It’s Easy to Forget It Exists
Ultimately, Galaxy AI is an easy feature to ignore. When prompted to turn it on or off, I can say “no, thanks.”
I’m primarily reminded of Galaxy AI’s presence by the Galaxy AI icon scattered across various apps. you may see it in the Samsung Internet web browser, on the toolbar in Samsung Notes, and above Samsung’s default keyboard. Yet, because Samsung allows for tremendous customization, I can remove many of these buttons from view.
Even when I leave the AI button alone, it’s easy to ignore with time. It exists like other buttons on a menu bar that I never click. It rarely asks me to try out a new feature or inserts itself into my life. Of course, this could change as newer versions of Samsung’s One UI interface come to Galaxy phones.
For now, Samsung seems to have struck a good balance. AI tools are there if you want them, and they’re more geared toward being useful rather than being your digital best friend. It’s funny, in a way, that Galaxy AI is based on Gemini, yet for me, it lands better than using the real thing.
