Samsung to Double Google Gemini-Powered Devices to 800 Million in 2026

Seoul — Samsung Electronics is gearing up for a major leap in the artificial intelligence (AI) arena, announcing plans to double the number of mobile devices equipped with Google’s Gemini AI features to 800 million this year. The announcement, made by co-CEO T.M. Roh in his first interview since assuming the role in November, signals Samsung’s aggressive push to regain dominance in the global smartphone market and expand AI integration across its consumer technology ecosystem.

By the end of 2025, Samsung had rolled out Gemini-powered AI features on approximately 400 million devices, including smartphones and tablets. Roh emphasized that the company intends to accelerate the deployment of AI across “all products, all functions, and all services” to maintain an edge over rivals, particularly Apple and emerging Chinese competitors.

“Even though AI technology might seem a bit doubtful right now, within six months to a year, these technologies will become more widespread,” Roh said, highlighting growing consumer adoption. Samsung’s internal surveys show awareness of its Galaxy AI brand surged to 80% from 30% within a single year.

The move coincides with heightened competition in AI-driven consumer devices. Alphabet’s Google launched Gemini 3 in November, positioning it ahead in multiple AI performance metrics. The rollout has reportedly prompted OpenAI to accelerate its GPT-5.2 development efforts, underscoring the intensifying race to dominate the AI market.

Samsung plans to leverage integrated AI services across its portfolio, including mobile phones, televisions, and home appliances, seeking to differentiate its offerings in features such as generative image editing, productivity tools, translation, and summarization. While search remains the most frequently used AI feature on mobile devices, the company anticipates broader engagement as AI capabilities expand.

However, the company faces headwinds from a global memory chip shortage, which, while benefiting Samsung’s semiconductor division, is putting pressure on smartphone margins. Roh indicated that some price adjustments may be inevitable but reaffirmed long-term strategies to mitigate the impact.

Foldable phones, pioneered by Samsung in 2019, continue to face slower-than-expected growth, challenged by engineering complexities and limited application ecosystems. Yet, the company remains committed to innovation, positioning AI as the cornerstone of its strategy to reclaim market leadership and redefine consumer technology experiences.

As the global AI race accelerates, Samsung’s ambitious plan to double Gemini-enabled devices represents a calculated push to shape the future of smart consumer electronics — a move likely to reverberate across the industry in 2026 and beyond.

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