In the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence, almost every tech company is trying to carve out a piece of the AI pie, with smartphone giants such as Apple, Samsung, and Nothing leading the charge. But as AI continues to integrate itself into mobile devices, the question arises: which, if any, of these AI suites are worth paying for? Is Google One AI Premium the only option truly offering value for money, or are other mobile AI services like Apple Intelligence and Galaxy AI also contenders? Let's dive deep into the AI offerings from these tech giants to find out.
The Struggles of Mobile AI Subscription Services
Over the past few years, companies have bundled AI features into smartphones, often for free. Whether it's through voice assistants, smart photo editing tools, or advanced AI-based functions like object recognition, AI has become an essential part of the modern smartphone experience. But as AI technology advances and becomes more integral to device functionality, many companies are moving toward monetizing these features. The challenge, however, lies in how to make people pay for something they’re used to getting for free. Apple, Samsung, and Nothing are all experimenting with this idea, but the value proposition for a paid AI service isn’t as clear-cut as one might expect. Despite these companies investing heavily in AI research and development, they haven't been able to convince users to pay for the AI features offered by their smartphones.Nothing’s Essential Space: A Free Feature That Might Not Stay Free
One example of a company exploring paid AI features is Nothing. The company’s Essential Space AI tool, which is currently available for free, helps users organize and categorize their media, such as screenshots, notes, and voice recordings. While it’s a useful feature, it’s hard to say whether it can truly thrive as a paid service. A report from Android Authority recently revealed that Essential Space could eventually cost $120 per year. Though Nothing has yet to confirm or deny this pricing, it’s clear that they’re considering a subscription model. However, there's a significant issue with this approach. Users love Essential Space because it’s free, but it’s uncertain whether the service would still be as appealing if it came with a price tag. AI features, while powerful, still struggle to justify a recurring charge for most users. As one tester pointed out, "As a paid one, it's almost certainly a non-starter." The bottom line: While the feature is undoubtedly impressive, asking customers to pay for it could turn many away, especially when alternatives exist.
Apple and Samsung: Offering AI, But Not Enough to Charge For
Apple and Samsung, two of the biggest players in the mobile space, have also developed AI systems designed to enhance the user experience. Apple Intelligence and Galaxy AI are integrated into their respective ecosystems, offering everything from smart photo enhancements to voice command capabilities. Despite their wide usage, neither Apple nor Samsung has managed to convert these tools into a compelling paid offering. Apple, for example, has been sending out regular promotional emails trying to encourage users to try Apple Intelligence, suggesting that even the company itself knows it hasn't quite hit the mark. "Getting enough people to regularly use and enjoy AI features is a tricky endeavor," one user noted, referring to the limited appeal of Apple Intelligence. Similarly, Galaxy AI, while useful, seems to lack the depth and versatility required to convince users that it’s worth paying for. These services, while functional, still fail to offer a strong enough incentive for users to pay. For an AI suite to truly be worth a subscription, it needs to offer more than just the basics—it has to be a game-changer in how we interact with our devices. At present, neither Apple nor Samsung has achieved this level of innovation.Why Google One AI Premium Stands Out
While Apple, Samsung, and Nothing are still testing the waters, Google One AI Premium has already found a winning formula. For $20 per month, Google One AI Premium offers a powerful suite of AI tools that extend across multiple devices, including Android smartphones, tablets, desktop computers, and soon, even cars and TVs. This cross-device functionality makes it much more compelling than the standalone offerings from its competitors. One of the key features of Google One AI Premium is access to Gemini Advanced, which brings users cutting-edge AI capabilities, including live video streaming, screen sharing, and the ability to have natural conversations with Gemini about what's happening on your screen. It also offers access to Gemini 2.5, one of the most powerful AI models available, which outperforms competitors like OpenAI and DeepMind in several benchmarks. Moreover, Google One AI Premium isn’t just about AI—it also includes cloud storage, and integration with Google Workspace, which is a huge advantage for anyone already invested in Google’s ecosystem. This makes the $20 per month price tag feel more justified when you consider the broader range of services it provides. As Google continues to expand its AI capabilities across more devices—potentially integrating with smart home tech, earbuds, and more—Google One AI Premium is becoming the gold standard for what a mobile AI subscription should look like.