SEOUL - Samsung Electronics has recently unveiled its latest premium smartphones, the Galaxy S24 series, featuring advanced AI functions aimed at challenging Apple's dominance in the smartphone market. In response to Apple surpassing Samsung in 2023 smartphone shipments, Samsung is strategically incorporating various artificial intelligence features to attract consumers.
The Galaxy S24 models boast multiple AI capabilities, including simultaneous translation of foreign language phone calls, a notable feature not found in previous smartphones. The two-way voice translation in real-time during live phone calls conducted in different languages is a groundbreaking addition, making the Galaxy S24 series the first-ever smartphone to offer this functionality. The on-device AI function supports 13 languages and is powered by Samsung's proprietary generative AI training.
Among the innovative features is the "circle-to-search" function, allowing users to circle any part of an image on the screen for a quick Google search. Additional AI enhancements include real-time video transformation into slow-motion through AI-generated frames and "generative editing" of photos to fill in non-existent backgrounds. The AI capabilities extend to voice recordings with summaries and translations, as well as the option to change the tone of messages to casual, formal, business, or social media styles.
Samsung's focus on on-device AI is emphasized for its security benefits, as it eliminates the need to send data to the cloud for processing. This aligns with the industry trend promoted by companies like Qualcomm and Samsung, highlighting the security advantages of on-device AI functions.
As the smartphone market evolves, Canalys forecasts a significant increase in AI-capable smartphones, projecting a rise from 5% in 2024 to 45% in 2027. While generative AI on devices is expected to impact the smartphone user experience in the long term, industry experts suggest that immediate effects on smartphone purchases may be limited. Jene Park, a Senior Analyst at Counterpoint, notes that it takes time for generative AI functions to incorporate more data and enhance value for consumers.
The Galaxy S24 series is set to hit the market on January 31, with pricing starting at $799 for the base model in the United States. Samsung has maintained the prices of the base model and Plus version from the previous year, while the Ultra version sees a $100 increase, priced at $1,299.