Samsung Plans Paid Tiers for Galaxy AI Features Starting at $4.99/Month
Reports indicate Samsung is moving Galaxy AI from free unlimited use to a subscription model, requiring heavy users to pay for higher limits and exclusive features.
According to a report by technology news outlet ZDNET, South Korean electronics giant Samsung Electronics is planning to implement a tiered subscription model for its built-in "Galaxy AI" smartphone features. This move suggests that power users who rely heavily on AI tools may soon have to pay for functionalities that were previously offered for free.
The proposed plan, dubbed "Galaxy AI Premium," is expected to start at $4.99 per month or $47.99 annually. Subscribers would receive usage limits four times higher than the free tier and gain access to exclusive high-compute features such as AI-generated videos, Bixby Action, and Daily Briefing. Basic tools like Photo Assist, Now Brief, and Creative Studio will remain free but will no longer offer unlimited usage; once the allotted free credits are exhausted, users will need to purchase top-up packages or subscribe to continue using these features.
The changes are reportedly planned for the upcoming Galaxy S27 series and will later expand to older devices, including the S24 series and newer foldable phones, via One UI updates. For occasional users, the impact may be minimal, but for those deeply integrated into daily AI workflows, this introduces a new recurring software cost. Samsung has not yet announced an official release date, though its flagship Unpacked events typically occur in January or February.