Samsung is entering 2026 with an ambitious goal: putting Google’s Gemini AI into the hands of 800 million users. During an interview at CES 2026 , Samsung’s co-CEO TM Roh confirmed that the company plans to double its current AI-enabled device footprint. At the end of last year, it stood at roughly 400 million units.
This massive expansion isn’t just about smartphones. Roh’s vision, dubbed “Connect Future,” involves embedding artificial intelligence into virtually everything Samsung makes. The company wants everything from the tablet in your bag to the fridge in your kitchen to run some form of AI .
Samsung to double Gemini AI reach to 800 million mobile devices in 2026
The strategy seems to be working. Samsung’s internal data shows that consumer awareness of its “Galaxy AI” branding has skyrocketed from 30% to 80% in just one year. It’s noteworthy that Google benefits from the massive distribution scale with Gemini as the Galaxy AI’s core. However, Samsung is using the partnership to fend off growing competition from Apple and various Chinese manufacturers.
Currently, the most used features on these devices are Circle to Search, generative photo editing, and real-time translation tools. But Roh expects the technology to become even more “invisible” and widespread within the next six to twelve months.
AI in the home as well
Samsung is promoting its AI Home project in addition to mobile devices . In the next three years, the goal is to have 1 billion AI-powered devices in homes. This includes “Ambient AI,” which keeps an eye on things like the temperature and lighting in your home and changes settings automatically based on how you act.
At CES, they even showcased the Vision AI Companion for smart TVs. Instead of scrolling through menus, you can simply ask your TV for a recipe for a dish you see on screen, and it will send the instructions directly to your connected appliances.
Rising costs danger
Despite the technological leaps, there is a catch. A global shortage of memory chips—driven by the massive demand for AI data centers—is putting pressure on the entire electronics industry. Ths shortage is actually good for Samsung’s chip-making business. However, it makes manufacturing phones and appliances much more expensive.
TM Roh admitted that no company is “immune” to these costs. As a result, price hikes for consumer electronics in 2026 might be inevitable. Market analysts predict that the average price of a smartphone could rise by 5% to 20% this year, and some brands might even cut back on hardware specs (like reducing RAM) to keep devices affordable.
