Samsung
Samsung Galaxy AI might not be free after 2026.
Samsung’s Galaxy AI features have been free since they launched last year. The company’s original plan was to start charging for them after December 2025. So, we’re currently in the last six months of what was supposed to be the free access period.
Samsung has always hinted that its Galaxy AI features might eventually cost money. However, a recent insider source claimed that these features will actually stay free permanently. This is a very different message! Still, it’s believed that Samsung might introduce a separate, paid set of super-advanced AI tools in the future.
The latest news from a Korean outlet throws another curveball – the situation with Galaxy AI’s price has shifted yet again.
The report says Samsung is considering turning Galaxy AI into a paid service in 2026, citing industry insiders. The company is analyzing the pathway of a smooth free-to-paid transition.
Samsung introduced its “Galaxy AI” features with the S24 phones in January 2024.
Then, the foldable phones released in July 2024 (like the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6) also received these AI features. The S25 series, which came out in January 2025, also includes Galaxy AI.
Next month, in July 2025, Samsung is expected to launch new foldable phones (likely the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7) that will also have Galaxy AI.
As the competition for AI features in phones gets tougher, Samsung needs to work with other popular AI companies. This will cost money, and Samsung won’t pay for all of it. They might offer a short free trial, but getting these AI features for free forever is almost impossible.
There’s news that Apple is thinking about buying Perplexity AI. This is a big deal because Samsung was actually in talks to use Perplexity AI as the main smart assistant on its phones.
If Apple goes through with buying Perplexity, it would mess up Samsung’s plans to use that AI. Plus, it would give Apple a major advantage in how smart its own devices are.
Samsung might share more about its “Galaxy AI” plans at their upcoming Unpacked event next month (July 2025). They could hint that some special Galaxy AI features will cost money starting in 2026. However, a Samsung representative has said that nothing is officially decided yet.
Galaxy AI
Samsung’s big event, called “Galaxy Unpacked,” might happen on July 9th in New York.
At this event, Samsung is expected to show off:
- New foldable phones: the Z Flip 7, Fold 7, and a cheaper version called the Flip FE.
- The latest smartwatches: the Watch 8 series.
They might also reveal the official name for their “Project Moohan” XR headset before it’s fully revealed in September.
If you are looking for a smartwatch to help you stay active and achieve your fitness goals, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 is your answer. It functions as a personal coach on your wrist, packed with features for fitness, health, and connectivity, all currently available at a discount.
There is a great deal on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 40mm Bluetooth model on Amazon! You can get the Silver color for just $319.99, saving you $30 off the regular price. The Graphite version is also reduced to $329.99.
More than a watch, the Galaxy Watch 8 is a fitness partner. It auto-tracks exercise, acts as a running coach, and provides Samsung’s most advanced sleep monitoring to help you improve workouts and achieve goals.It also has advanced sleep tracking, which is Samsung’s most detailed and helpful sleep monitoring yet.
Galaxy Watch 8
Its functionality extends beyond fitness to connectivity. You can view phone notifications and utilize Galaxy AI for swift, intelligent replies right from your wrist.The watch also comes with Gemini, Samsung’s smart features that give you even more ways to use your watch for daily tasks.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 offers exceptional value at $319.99, packaging robust fitness tracking, advanced sleep analysis, and practical smart features into a single, reliable device.
2. Google News.
3. Twitter(X).
Samsung officially introduced its Galaxy Z TriFold smartphone during the APEC 2025 CEO Summit in South Korea, marking the device’s first public debut and providing a detailed initial impression.
Detailed coverage of the APEC 2025 showcase by SBS Korea provides a clear view of the Galaxy Z TriFold prototype. The initial impression is that of a Z Fold 7, modified to incorporate a second folding hinge.
Despite its early stage, the Galaxy Z TriFold prototype exhibits a surprising level of polish, suggesting a design far more finalized than a typical test model. This aligns with rumors of a planned global market debut in 2026 for Samsung’s inaugural dual-folding device.
Samsung has maintained design consistency by equipping the TriFold with the same camera island as the Fold 7. This includes the vertical triple-sensor layout, the raised bump, and even the ring designs and flash position.
TriFold
True to the Galaxy Z Fold 7’s principles, the TriFold presents a strikingly sleek silhouette in its fully unfolded state. A sophisticated dual-hinge mechanism is key to this design, providing structural support for the expansive foldable OLED display.
When folded, the TriFold is thicker than the Z Fold 7 due to its form factor. The company has made the device very well, so it doesn’t lag in competition against Huawei, which has already launched two TriFold smartphones.
Adopting a cautious launch strategy, Samsung will reportedly introduce the TriFold first in its home market of South Korea and in China, with a limited global expansion to follow. Production will be similarly measured, starting with 50,000-150,000 units and scaling based on market response.
2. Google News.
3. Twitter(X).
While Samsung prepares to launch One UI 8.5 with the Galaxy S26, details are already surfacing about One UI 9. A key focus for the next version, based on Android 17, will be improving the NotiStar filter.
A bug in Samsung’s NotiStar app is causing frustration for Galaxy users. The feature, part of Good Lock, is designed to manage notifications, but many are reporting that their filter list is automatically populated with a large number of default apps they never chose.
Echoing the frustration of many, one user took to the Samsung community forum to ask: “Why are apps I didn’t select appearing in my NotiStar filter, and why am I unable to remove them?” This points to a significant bug that locks certain apps in the list.
In accordance with a Samsung community moderator, the problem is due to a discrepancy between the universe of notification-capable apps and the NotiStar list. The moderator stated that NotiStar’s current logic is to display all such apps, even system-level ones that are typically hidden from the user.
One UI 9
The moderator also clarified the purpose of the “disabled” list, noting it contains apps that are blocked from sending notifications. For users who wish to view these hidden system apps, they can navigate to Settings > App Notifications > More > Show system apps.
Samsung has confirmed it will fix known NotiStar issues, including a mismatched and unstable filter list. The company plans to roll out the improvements with the next major OS upgrade, Android 17 and One UI 9.
Ultimately, Samsung’s One UI 9 wishlist includes one big improvement: enhancing the NotiStar filter for better notification management.
2. Google News.
3. Twitter(X).
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