Samsung Electronics says it plans to double the number of mobile devices running its “Galaxy AI” features—largely powered by Google’s Gemini—from about 400 million deployed so far to 800 million in 2026, according to comments from co-CEO TM Roh. Roh said Samsung intends to apply AI “to all products, all functions, and all services as quickly as possible,” signaling a broader push beyond phones into its wider consumer lineup. The announcement also highlights how Samsung’s scale can boost Gemini’s consumer reach as Google competes with OpenAI and other AI model providers. Samsung shares rose more than 5% after Roh’s remarks, Reuters reported.
Samsung Electronics says it plans to double the number of mobile devices running its “Galaxy AI” features—largely powered by Google’s Gemini—from about 400 million deployed so far to 800 million in 2026, according to comments from co-CEO TM Roh. Roh said Samsung intends to apply AI “to all products, all functions, and all services as quickly as possible,” signaling a broader push beyond phones into its wider consumer lineup. The announcement also highlights how Samsung’s scale can boost Gemini’s consumer reach as Google competes with OpenAI and other AI model providers. Samsung shares rose more than 5% after Roh’s remarks, Reuters reported.
Highlights:
- Ecosystem expansion: Roh oversees Samsung’s mobile phones, TVs, and home appliances, and the plan frames AI as a cross-category experience rather than just a smartphone feature.
- Competitive landscape: Market researcher Counterpoint said Apple was set to be the top smartphone maker last year, a backdrop as Samsung aims to regain its lead while also fending off Chinese rivals in phones and other electronics.
- Model race context: Google launched the latest version of Gemini in November and highlighted Gemini 3’s lead on several industry performance measures; OpenAI then accelerated work and released GPT-5.2 a few weeks later, Reuters reported.
- Brand awareness: Roh said Samsung’s internal surveys showed awareness of its Galaxy AI brand had jumped, suggesting the company sees consumer recognition as a key lever for adoption.
- Public skepticism: Online discussion also shows some consumer pushback, with a widely shared Reddit post joking about Gemini appearing in appliances like fridges.
We will apply AI to all products, all functions, and all services as quickly as possible, - TM Roh
Perspectives:
- Samsung Electronics (TM Roh): Samsung wants to spread AI across its product portfolio quickly, aiming for a more integrated experience across devices and services. (Reuters (via Techmeme))
- Google: The partnership gives Gemini distribution at Samsung’s scale, strengthening Google’s ability to attract consumer users in the AI model competition. (SamMobile)
- Industry analysts (Counterpoint): The smartphone market context remains competitive, with Apple positioned to lead recent shipment rankings, raising the bar for Samsung’s differentiation through AI features. (Dawn (via Reuters))
- Some consumers/online commentators: Some users question whether AI belongs in every appliance, framing the expansion into home devices as unnecessary or gimmicky. (Reddit)
Sources:
- Samsung co-CEO TM Roh says the company rolled out Gemini AI features to ~400M mobile devices so far and aims to hit 800M in 2026; Samsung's stock jumps 5%+ (Hyunjoo Jin/Reuters) - techmeme.com
- Samsung to double Gemini-powered devices to 800 million this year - techinasia.com
- Samsung to double mobile devices powered by Google’s Gemini to 800m units this year - dawn.com
- Samsung is bringing Gemini AI to 800 million mobile devices this year - sammobile.com
- Samsung puts Gemini AI in your fridge because apparently that’s necessary - reddit.com