Samsung accelerates AI push, aims to target 800 million smart devices in 2026

Samsung is planning to expand its efforts in artificial intelligence by expanding the business framework to embrace 800 million more mobile devices powered by Google Gemini AI in 2026.

Samsung Electronics co-CEO informed that the firm has planned to double this year the number of its mobile devices with "Galaxy AI" features largely powered by Google's Gemini, which would give the U.S. firm an edge over rivals as the global race in artificial intelligence heats up.

As reported by Samsung, the South Korean company, which had rolled out Gemini-backed AI features to about 400 million mobile products, including smartphones and tablets, by last year, plans to boost that figure to 800 million in 2026.

Roh, the head of Samsung's mobile, television and appliance divisions, has threatened to weave artificial intelligence into every product and all functions as well as all services in the shortest time possible.

While giving an interview to Reuters, Samsung Electronics' new CEO, TM Roh, said, “We will apply AI to all products, all functions, and all services as quickly as possible.”

Samsung believes that such measures build a stronger position for Google against stiff competition with OpenAI.

Google launched the latest version of Gemini in November 2025, highlighting Gemini 3's lead on several popular industry measures of AI model performance.

The plan by the world's largest backer of Google's Android mobile platform is set to give a major boost to its developer, Google, which is locked in a race with OpenAI and others to attract more consumer users to their AI model.

Roh expects the adoption of AI to accelerate, as Samsung's surveys on awareness of its Galaxy AI brand jumped to a level of 80% from about 30% in just one year.

"Even though the AI technology might seem a bit doubtful right now, within six months to a year, these technologies will become more widespread," he said.

According to market researcher Counterpoint, the firm claims that it will offer integrated AI services across consumer products to widen its lead over Apple in such features, though the latter was set to be the top smartphone maker last year.

While search is the most used AI feature on phones, consumers also frequently use a range of generative AI editing and productivity tools for images and others, as well as translation and summary features, he said.

Galaxy AI is Samsung's term for its suite of AI features, including those powered by both Google's Gemini model and Samsung's own Bixby for different tasks.

Samsung shares ended up 7.5% on Monday, as the company is set to flag a profit jump for the fourth quarter later this week, fueled by a global chip shortage.

According to Counterpoint, Samsung controlled nearly two-thirds of the foldable smartphone market in the third quarter of 2025.

However, market researchers such as IDC and Counterpoint predict the global smartphone market will shrink next year, as the memory chip shortage threatens to drive up phone prices and the manufacturers faces competition from Chinese companies such as Huawei, as well as Apple, which is expected to launch its first foldable phone this year

Therefore, Samsung seems to reclaim its lost crown from Apple in the smartphone market and fend off competition from Chinese rivals not only in mobile telephones but also in televisions and home appliances, all overseen by Roh.