Samsung could soon start charging for some of its Galaxy AI features, with a new leak suggesting a $4.99 monthly subscription is on the way. The good news? The AI tools already available on Galaxy phones are expected to remain free.
The potential change was uncovered in One UI 9.5, where references to a new Galaxy AI Premium plan suggest Samsung is preparing to introduce more advanced features behind a paywall.
According to SammyGuru, which spotted the subscription details, the plan could cost $4.99 per month or $47.99 annually, although Samsung has yet to confirm either the pricing or its launch.
For existing Galaxy owners, the distinction between free and paid features is particularly important. Tools such as Now Brief, Browsing Assist, Creative Studio and Samsung Keyboard’s AI functions are expected to remain available without a subscription.
Instead, Galaxy AI Premium appears to focus on new capabilities, including Bixby Action, which could automate tasks across different apps without users having to handle every step themselves.
Other additions mentioned in the leaked software include Daily Briefing and Gen Video, the latter allowing users to generate AI videos from their photos. Samsung also appears to be planning higher usage limits for subscribers, although the wording on the sign-up screen raises questions about whether some free features could eventually face restrictions.
There are also references to one-time credit packs for users who want additional AI usage without committing to a monthly payment.
Moreover, Samsung has been leaving the door open to paid AI features since Galaxy AI first arrived in 2024. The company initially said its AI tools would remain free until the end of 2025, before later stating that it had no plans to charge for existing features. The latest leak suggests Samsung may be sticking to that promise while finding a way to charge for whatever comes next.
It’s a delicate balance, particularly when AI has become such a prominent part of Samsung’s pitch for its flagship Galaxy phones. Asking customers to pay extra for features on an already expensive smartphone could be a harder sell, especially if the new tools don’t offer enough of a practical advantage over what’s currently available for free.
As of now, Galaxy AI Premium remains unannounced, and there’s no confirmation of when it might launch or how much it would cost in the UK. Whether features such as automated tasks and AI-generated videos are worth another subscription will depend on how useful they prove to be in everyday use.