More than 400 million devices, or roughly a third of all new smartphones with generative AI support, will be shipped worldwide this year, according to Counterpoint Research. Gartner researchers are confident that by 2027, the use of mobile apps will decline by 25%, citing the growing popularity of AI-powered assistants as a key factor. We will be able to assess the accuracy of the forecast in a couple of years, but the key premise already seems quite reasonable. Assistance in popular daily scenarios appears to be an obvious application for any kind of AI. Working with photos or videos, exchanging messages and files, quick notes or text translation, basic math calculations, and similar routine tasks can all now be performed using smart built-in assistants.
One of the most notable and accessible platforms for Russian users is Samsung's Galaxy AI. I was able to test it on the vendor's new devices. The suite of smart tools is available not only on current flagships but also on previous-generation devices, including the S22, S23, and S24 series, as well as foldable smartphones and tablets. It is important to update the firmware to One UI 6.1. The range of features may vary depending on the specific model, but key capabilities such as editing, content generation, or translation are available on all the devices listed above.
In addition to Galaxy AI's own suite of tools—instant translation of phone calls and texts, the intelligent Magic Audio Eraser feature for professional noise and voice removal directly on the smartphone, and more—it is also possible to work with Gemini. This, however, requires performing special rituals, which are best looked up online before activating the device. But once Google's personal AI assistant is launched, it is ready to take over a huge share of interactions with the smartphone that previously required separate apps. I hope that as many vendors as possible will soon compete with Samsung, and not all of them will have Gemini at their core. In that case, strong competition will preserve more favorable conditions for users. Because for now, it seems we are using the benefits of AI integrated directly into the smartphone for free. In reality, this is credit. And we will most likely have to pay for it through subscriptions.