Samsung Plans Galaxy AI Expansion

South Korea's largest technology company, Samsung Electronics, plans to double the number of mobile devices featuring its "Galaxy AI" capabilities to reach 800 million units by 2026. This announcement was made by Samsung's Co-CEO T M Roh during an interview on January 5, 2026.

By 2025, Samsung had introduced nearly 400 million mobile phones and tablets equipped with AI capabilities based on Google's Gemini model. According to the new plan, this number will be doubled to 800 million units in 2026. This move represents significant support for Google's Android mobile system and is expected to give Samsung a competitive edge over rivals amid intense AI competition.

T M Roh stated, "We are working to quickly integrate AI technology across all our products, operations, and services." Roh, who oversees Samsung's mobile phones, television, and home appliances divisions, also mentioned the company's efforts to regain leadership in the mobile phone market lost to Apple and to protect itself from Chinese competitors. Samsung's AI features, branded as Galaxy AI, operate based on the Google Gemini model and Samsung's proprietary Bixby assistant. By integrating these AI services across consumer devices, Samsung aims to surpass Apple. The latest version, Google Gemini 3, was released in November 2025 and has delivered top-tier results in the AI field. Following its release, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman declared a "code red" internal status and expedited the launch of the GPT-5.2 model. Roh predicts rapid growth in Samsung's AI usage. Consumer awareness of Galaxy AI has increased from 50% last year to 80%.

Roh noted, "Although AI technology may still face skepticism now, within six months to a year, it will be widely adopted." While search services remain the primary AI function in phones, consumers are also extensively using AI for photo editing, productivity tools, translation, and summarization. Samsung's stock price rose 7.5% on January 5, 2026. The company is expected to report profit growth for the fourth quarter this week. Although a global shortage of memory chips has benefited Samsung's semiconductor division, it has caused profit declines in sectors like mobile phones. Roh commented, "This challenge is unique, and no company is immune to its effects." He also pointed out that the memory chip shortage impacts not only mobile phones but also other consumer electronics such as televisions and home appliances.