Samsung to double AI phones: According to recent disclosures, Samsung Electronics plans to expand the number of its mobile devices equipped with Galaxy AI features to 800 million units in 2026, up from around 400 million last year. This aggressive move places Samsung at the center of the fast-heating AI race in consumer electronics.
This blog breaks down what this plan means, why it matters, and how it could reshape competition with Apple, Google, and Chinese smartphone makers.
Samsung to Double AI Mobile Devices: What Was Announced
Samsung’s co-CEO T M Roh said the company aims to apply artificial intelligence across all products, functions, and services as quickly as possible. The strategy focuses heavily on mobile devices, including smartphones and tablets.
Most of Samsung’s Galaxy AI features are powered by Google’s Gemini AI models, with support from Samsung’s own Bixby system for selected tasks. By doubling AI-enabled devices to 800 million units, Samsung hopes to lock in users at scale before rivals can catch up.
This approach gives Samsung an advantage not just in hardware sales, but also in shaping how everyday users interact with AI on their phones.
Why Galaxy AI Is Central to Samsung’s Strategy
Galaxy AI is Samsung’s umbrella term for a suite of artificial intelligence tools embedded directly into its devices. These features include:
- AI-powered search and assistance
- Generative image editing tools
- Language translation and live summaries
- Productivity tools built into everyday apps
Samsung says search remains the most used AI feature on phones, but consumers are increasingly turning to creative and productivity tools. This trend supports Samsung’s belief that AI adoption will accelerate quickly once users see practical benefits.
Roh noted that awareness of the Galaxy AI brand jumped from around 30% to 80% in just one year, showing strong consumer interest.
Google, Gemini, and the Wider AI Race
Samsung’s plan to double AI mobile devices also gives a major boost to Google. As the world’s largest supporter of the Android platform, Samsung plays a key role in how Google’s AI reaches consumers.
Google launched the latest version of Gemini in late 2025, claiming strong performance across several industry benchmarks. This move intensified competition with OpenAI, which responded by accelerating its own development roadmap.
Reports suggest OpenAI CEO Sam Altman issued an internal push to prioritize AI model improvements, leading to the release of GPT-5.2 shortly after.
For Samsung, aligning closely with Google’s AI ecosystem helps ensure its devices stay competitive as AI models improve.
Competing With Apple and Chinese Smartphone Brands
Samsung’s push comes as it tries to reclaim ground lost to Apple in the global smartphone market. While Apple was expected to lead smartphone shipments last year, Samsung believes integrated AI services can widen the gap in user experience.
Unlike Apple’s more controlled ecosystem, Samsung aims to spread AI across a broader range of devices, including mid-range phones, tablets, TVs, and home appliances. This wide deployment could give Samsung a scale advantage.
At the same time, competition from Chinese companies remains intense. Brands like Huawei are pushing innovation in hardware design, especially in foldable phones and AI-enhanced cameras.
Memory Chip Shortage and Pricing Pressures
While Samsung to double AI mobile devices sounds ambitious, the company is not immune to supply chain challenges. A global shortage of memory chips has boosted profits in Samsung’s semiconductor business but is squeezing margins in smartphones and other consumer electronics.
Roh acknowledged that the situation is unprecedented and affects everything from mobile phones to TVs and home appliances. He did not rule out price increases, saying some impact from rising memory chip costs is inevitable.
Market researchers like IDC and Counterpoint expect the global smartphone market to shrink next year as higher component costs push prices up.
Foldable Phones: A Slower Path to the Mainstream
Samsung pioneered foldable smartphones in 2019 and still dominates the segment. According to Counterpoint, Samsung controlled nearly two-thirds of the global foldable phone market in the third quarter of 2025.
However, growth has been slower than expected. Roh pointed to engineering challenges and a lack of apps designed specifically for foldable hardware. Despite this, he believes foldable phones will go mainstream within the next two to three years.
Interestingly, Samsung reports that a very high percentage of foldable phone users choose another foldable when upgrading, suggesting strong long-term potential.
What Samsung to Double AI Mobile Devices Means for Consumers
For everyday users, Samsung’s AI expansion could change how smartphones are used in daily life. As AI features become standard, users may rely less on third-party apps and more on built-in tools for tasks like editing photos, translating messages, or summarizing information.
This also raises questions about privacy, data handling, and long-term dependence on AI-driven interfaces. Samsung has said it will continue to balance on-device processing with cloud-based AI to manage performance and security.
Also Read: AI in Education: How Tech Giants Are Reshaping Schools and Careers
The Bigger Picture: AI as the New Smartphone Battleground
The plan for Samsung to double AI mobile devices shows that the smartphone industry is no longer just about cameras, screens, or battery life. AI is becoming the main battleground.
By scaling Galaxy AI to hundreds of millions of devices, Samsung is betting that early and widespread adoption will create long-term loyalty. Whether this strategy succeeds will depend on how useful, reliable, and trusted these AI features become over time.
One thing is clear. The race to put artificial intelligence into consumers’ hands is accelerating fast, and Samsung is determined to lead from the front.
