Samsung to launch ‘subscription’ for Galaxy phones as soon as next month

Ben Schoon | Jan 8 2025 - 4:15 am PT

According to news out of CES 2025, Samsung is reportedly planning to introduce a new “AI subscription” ahead of its Galaxy S25 event.

As reported by ETNews, Samsung’s Han Jong-hee mentioned in a press conference at CES 2025 that an “AI subscription” is coming for Galaxy devices “starting next month,” referring to February 2025, when the Galaxy S25 series is expected to go on sale. This is not a subscription for Galaxy AI features, @Jukanlosreve explains, but rather for hardware.

The quote, translated, reads:

We will apply the subscription service to Galaxy smartphones starting next month. Bollie will be introduced first in Korea and the US, and we plan to supply it as a subscription in Korea.

The subscription was mentioned alongside Samsung’s”Bollie,” presumably a small translation error referring to the Ballie robot, which Samsung claims will actually hit the market this year with more AI features.

For Galaxy devices, however, the subscription would only be an installment plan and some after-sales services, so the “AI subscription” name is misleading (though likely not final). The subscription is said to be available in the US and Korea.

When Samsung introduced Galaxy AI on the Galaxy S24 series, there was an asterisk that suggested Galaxy AI features wouldn’t be free permanently. The footnote read:

Galaxy AI features will be provided for free until the end of 2025 on supported Samsung Galaxy devices. Different terms may apply for AI features provided by third parties.

Samsung reiterated that line several times, but never confirmed any plans to actually implement a subscription.

Samsung recently confirmed that the Galaxy S25 series will officially launch on January 22 at an event being held in San Jose, California. Following the event, pre-orders will be opened, but customers can place a free reservation today which will unlock a $50 credit and up to $1,200 in additional savings.

Reserve the Galaxy S25 today for boosted trade-ins and $50 credit

Note: A previous version of this post was published referring to this subscription being for Galaxy AI, not Galaxy hardware. This is due to a mistranslation of the ETNews report, and as a result the post was briefly taken down before being rewritten to correct the error.