Samsung was the first OEM to really push the concept of generative AI tools into the mainstream. It started at the beginning of the year with the launch of the Galaxy S24 series featuring the Galaxy AI suite, and the saga continued throughout the year without much competition standing in Samsung's way. Today, that should be changing, but the odds are still in Samsung's favor.
Apple is officially joining the AI movement with its own generative tools developed under the Apple Intelligence brand. Apple announced its AI suite earlier this summer at WWDC but made it available only to developers.
Now, Apple Intelligence is rolling out publicly. However, there are some major caveats, and they might help Galaxy AI become even more popular.
Only one language, fewer devices, staggered launch
While Samsung tried its best to democratize Galaxy AI throughout the year and make it available for more devices and additional languages, Apple appears to be taking things more slowly.
First things first, Apple Intelligence is compatible only with:
- iPhone 16 series
- iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max (no support for base and Plus)
- iPad mini (A17 Pro)
- iPad Pro and Air with M1 and later chips
- Macs and MacBooks with M1 and later
- Mac Studio with M1 Max and later
- Mac Pro with M2 Ultra chip
Now, even though the aforementioned devices are technically compatible with Apple Intelligence, they don't yet have access to the AI platform. Most Apple devices will get AI later through a firmware update later this year or the next.
More so, Apple Intelligence is not available everywhere just yet. For example, customers in Europe will only be able to use Apple Intelligence from April 2025.
Last but not least, Apple Intelligence is available only in English (USA dialect), and the company says that support for more English dialects and additional languages “Will be coming over the course of the next year.” Even so, Apple mentions only 10 languages, “And others.”
Needless to say, compared to the current state of Samsung's Galaxy AI, Apple Intelligence seems a little bit crippled at launch.
Yesterday, Samsung rolled out support for four more languages and two new dialects to Galaxy AI, raising the language barrier to 20 languages. Furthermore, Galaxy AI is available virtually everywhere (even in areas where the local language isn't supported) and on numerous devices.
Even models from 2022, such as the Galaxy S22 series, have Galaxy AI now, and lower-cost phones such as the Galaxy S24 FE enjoy Galaxy AI to the fullest.
