Big Galaxy S24 leak reveals Samsung's strategy against Google's Pixel phone
Samsung might copy Google's trick: seven years of updates for the Galaxy S24.
What you need to know
- Samsung could be stepping up its game by offering seven years of major Android updates for the Galaxy S24 series, and the generous update policy might extend to other Galaxy flagships.
- The Galaxy S24 series might also introduce charges for AI features like Live Translate and Pixel-like photo editing tools after 2025.
- There's speculation that users may need to sign in to their Samsung accounts for certain AI functionalities.
Google's Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro are basking in the luxury of seven years of updates until 2030, outpacing any of your beloved Android phone brands. But a new rumor suggests Samsung's Galaxy S24 phones are apparently trying to keep up.
According to some leaked promo materials obtained by Android Headlines, Samsung is planning to bless the Galaxy S24, S24 Plus, and S24 Ultra with a solid seven years of updates. This isn't exactly a shocker, though, as rumors were floating around about Samsung considering this upgrade last year.
Samsung already dishes out a solid four years of major OS upgrades and five years of security updates for its latest smartphones. Bumping it up to seven is a great selling point for people who want to keep their devices kicking for as long as they can.
This means the Galaxy S24 series is in for the long haul, with updates rolling in until Android 21. Fingers crossed, this isn't an exclusive S24 treatment. Back in 2022, when Samsung expanded its update timeline, the company threw a bone to a few devices from the previous year too.
The details in Android Headlines' report are a bit fuzzy. We're not sure if those seven years cover all the Android updates or if it's just for the security updates.
The report also claims that you could be reaching for your wallet for those AI features on the Galaxy S24 series. The upcoming lineup is rumored to flaunt Samsung's fresh Galaxy AI tricks for a few features like Live Translate and photo editing tools.
Additionally, the leaked promo materials indicate that you're getting a free pass on Galaxy AI features until next year, at least on the chosen Galaxy devices. But Samsung might switch gears and start charging for those advanced AI features post-2025.
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There's also a chance you might need to log in to your Samsung account to unlock certain AI features on the S24 lineup. It's unknown exactly which features will be limited without that sign-in, though.
Naturally, we'll have to keep our popcorn on standby until the company officially spills the juicy details at this week's Galaxy Unpacked event.
Jay Bonggolto always keeps a nose for news. He has been writing about consumer tech and apps for as long as he can remember, and he has used a variety of Android phones since falling in love with Jelly Bean. Send him a direct message via Twitter or LinkedIn.
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Stanley Kubrick I can guarantee you this...I will NEVER...EVER pay for the privilege of using any AI crappola!!! I also will not sign in to any account(s) just to use any other AI crappola!!!Reply
Good for me that I have no interest in AI, I do not use any "assistants" and the camera is the least important feature on a computerized communications device. Too bad for all the rest who think this stuff is important, or "cool"!
The phone(s) themselves already cost far more than they are truly worth. I am not paying for any so-called feature that is built in and yet unavailable without more monetary output! -
parksanim Someone should do a story about how 99% of these phones will see OLED and digitizer failures after 4 to 5 years and never see the 7 year mark. We tried to keep our Galaxy 9's until this year. No go. My friend's older s20 Ultra died the same way. My s21 already has a pretty strong burn in from the android buttons at the bottom, as well as the circle with arrow from the Samsung browser.Reply