Apple Intelligence Vs Samsung Galaxy AI: Who's Winning the AI Race?

The smartphone ecosystem is heating up with Apple’s announcement to introduce Apple Intelligence in its devices later this fall. But would it beat Galaxy AI, the already established GenAI suite by Samsung? Let’s explore who is heading ahead in this long-running AI war on Generative AI.

Apple Intelligence Vs Samsung Galaxy AI: Who's Winning the AI Race?
Apple Intelligence Vs Galaxy AI

The world’s biggest smartphone makers, Apple and Samsung, are butting heads once again in the AI race. As soon as Samsung introduced “Galaxy AI” in January 2024, in its flagship Galaxy S24 series, its smartphone sales witnessed a huge increase in the very next month, beating its strongest contender, Apple. Since Samsung regained the top spot in the world of AI smartphones, how could Apple keep itself back in this battle of GenAI? So, it was only a matter of time before its archrival, Apple, made a big announcement at WWDC 2024 in July. It was about its new collection of AI features called “Apple Intelligence” to debut with iOS18.

This announcement heated the world of smartphones. Tech enthusiasts are all set to witness another GenAI suite from the king of smartphone technology, "Apple." Finally, Apple is on its way to surprise the world with its new AI system. On 16th September, it launched its iOS 18, the most recent version of its software for iPhones. Later this fall, it is going to supercharge iPhones with Apple Intelligence in their beta version.

Now both tech titans are headed to gain global smartphone supremacy on generative AI. However, both are selling GenAI in different ways. Apple Intelligence and Galaxy AI, powered by GenAI and multiple Large Language Models, offer various on-device features. However, both have some key differences you must be aware of before potentially investing in an AI phone. These sets of AI features might be a crucial factor in the selection of your next smartphone. So, how about having a close look at Apple Intelligence Vs Galaxy AI to figure out which AI suite is smarter?

1. Apple Intelligence Vs Galaxy AI: Main Focus

Apple Intelligence is more prone to Privacy, Personalization and Contextual Understanding

Apple's GenAI, soon to be introduced in iOS 18, focuses on user privacy and on-device processing. It promises to draw on user’s personal context and protect their personal data. It is tightly integrated and designed to work seamlessly across the Apple ecosystem. Its architecture of a 3 billion-parameter language model runs primarily on-device. Less data transfer to the cloud boosts users’ confidence and trust in this AI smart assistant. Additionally, they will get a lightning-fast and contextually relevant response as their data has a minimum shift to the server. Moreover, Apple leverages GenAI to generate creative images and emojis to offer personalized experiences to its users.
For better contextual understanding, Apple Intelligence offers an upgrade in its Siri.

Upgraded Siri

Apple’s upcoming iOS 18 devices equipped with Apple Intelligence will get an upgrade in its Siri paired up with OpenAI’s ChatGPT-4o to better answer users’ questions. It outrivals in seamless integration with Apple devices.
Apple's intelligence feature powered by natural language processing (NLP) will help users get quick and contextual answers to their personal questions by searching through the data in their emails, texts, etc. For instance, you forget the landing time of your dad’s flight. You just ask Siri, “When is my dad’s flight landing?” It will recognize your dad and explore emails and texts to answer your query.

Image Credit: Data Economy
Image Credit: Data Economy

Galaxy AI is more prone to Enhanced Communication and Productivity

Samsung boasts a wide range of functionalities in Galaxy AI to streamline communication and enhance productivity. For this purpose, its standout features include:

Live Translate

Samsung Galaxy AI outrivals with its Live Translate feature for real-time call translation. This feature eliminates the language barrier while the user is on call. While messaging on apps like WhatsApp or Instagram, they will experience seamless communication as this smart AI assistant will automatically translate the conversation in any language into your preferred language. It’s just like having your personal translator for international communication.

Image Credit: Samsung
Image Credit: Samsung

Interpreter Mode

Beyond on-phone conversations, Galaxy AI facilitates real-time face-to-face conversations. Its Interpreter Mode transcribes spoken interactions on a split-screen interface without an internet connection.

Image Credit: Samsung
Image Credit: Samsung

Google’s Gemini AI Model

Galaxy AI relies on Google's Gemini AI model, which is more efficient than all the earlier iterations of Google Assistant. It can produce text, images and more. Equipped with advanced NLP and a broader knowledge base, Google's Gemini for Galaxy AI works with Google apps to facilitate user’s everyday tasks.
Minimizing the delays in understanding what the other person is speaking in a different language and helping its users in performing mundane tasks, Galaxy AI facilitates communication and boosts productivity.

2. Apple Intelligence Vs Galaxy AI: Fun AI Features

While both Apple and Samsung offer a bundle of AI features from cleaning up and editing to removing unwanted objects, Apple Intelligence has a definite edge over Galaxy AI based on the following features:

Apple Introduces “Genmoji”

Apple is going to introduce Genmoji in the AI system of its upcoming devices. The latest iPhones already offered Memoji feature which scans your Face ID and models your facial expressions on various animated emojis. This fun alternative to voice notes is already delivering your expressions in an interesting way. However, Apple Intelligence’s Genmoji is taking this excitement to the next level. Leveraging the power of GenAI, Apple Intelligence allows its users to create new, personalized and expressive emojis from simple text prompts or even photos. Imagine requesting a “T-rex wearing a tutu on a surfboard” – Here you go! Genmoji will follow your prompt and generate this emoji for you.

Image Courtesy: Trustedreviews
Image Courtesy: Trustedreviews

Samsung’s Galaxy AI, though, promises to create 3D avatars of a person; it has nothing like Genmoji.

Apple Intelligence Generates “Memory Movies”

Apple Intelligence enables its users to create a customized movie from their memory of photos or videos. In the description box, write anything relevant to the images in your gallery. Apple Intelligence will explore all your photos and videos to find out the relevant images and present you in the form of a movie. For instance, by typing in a specific prompt like “What I ate this summer?” It will build your own photo memories movie within seconds.

Image Credit: Apple
Image Credit: Apple

Galaxy AI does not offer any such feature.

Apple Intelligence Offers “Image Playground”

Apple leverages Generative AI to create personalized images for occasions such as weddings, birthdays, etc. It works like a full-fledged AI Image Generator. This is a fun feature found in the apps which recognize the people in your photo library. You can create a new image from the text prompt or suggested concepts. You can even take a real-time photo or explore the photo library and convert an image into a cartoon-like illustration.

Imagine you are away from your mom on her birthday. You ask Siri to explore your photo library and find the picture of her last year’s birthday. With this Image Playground feature, you can convert it into a stylized cartoon version. It also allows you to adjust the style and make changes to match the real-time conversation going on with your mom in a message thread. What a fun wishing your mom with this creative personalized illustration.

Apple has recently shared its first image generated by the upcoming Apple Intelligence feature of Image Playground. This is a cartoon-like illustration made by Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior VP of software engineering. He created this personalized image for his wife as a tribute to his beloved pet, Bailey, on its recent birthday.

Image Credit: Wired
Image Credit: Wired

GalaxyAI, though, offers some features like Sketch to Image, but it does not offer anything like Image Playground.

Galaxy AI Offers Night Mode Feature

The AI-based Pro Visual Engine activates the night mode feature in Galaxy smartphones. Samsung mocks its rival in its Galaxy AI ads, stating:
“Dare you to zoom into the dark without a Galaxy.” It further questions the tech enthusiasts: can your Apple do this?”

“Image Wand” by Apple Intelligence Vs “Sketch to Image” by Galaxy AI

The “Image Wand” feature in Apple Intelligence seems impressive. Suppose you have opened a page in Notes and are trying to draw some monument next to some text about that architecture. Apple Intelligence will presume what’s going on in your mind and draw an image for you.

Image Credit: Apple
Image Credit: Apple

The “Sketch to Image” feature in Galaxy AI draws an image from your doodles in 5 different styles: Sketch, Watercolor, Pop art, Illustration or 3D Cartoon. However, you have to draw something obvious to turn it into any style. Otherwise, you can get wrong what your drawing is supposed to be.

Winner: In Fun AI features, Apple Intelligence definitely stands out.

3. Apple Intelligence Vs Galaxy AI: Writing Tools

AI chatbots caught the world's attention by generating human-like written text. Both tech titans are flexing their muscles to outsmart natural language processing by bringing AI text assistant features into their AI suites.
The writing tools in upcoming Apple devices, integrated with ChatGPT, function more like a text assistant. You can get your email rewritten in some other style, proofread and summarize it.

Image Credit: Apple
Image Credit: Apple

Galaxy AI leverages Google’s AI chatbot, Gemini, to do the same tasks. However, it is less integrated into Gmail or Mail app than Apple's AI chatbot.

Image Credit: Samsung
Image Credit: Samsung

The text editing feature enables its users to edit a part of the text or completely rewrite it to sound more professional or more casual. Both GenAI tools offer this on-device feature; however, with Galaxy AI, you can also make your content sound Shakespearean.
If you want to transcribe the recorded voice notes on your phone, both AI suites are equally good.

Winner: Both rivals are equally good at writing. However, Apple might have some edge in being more integrated into your personal data.

Samsung, being partnered with Google, brings an image-based search feature named “Circle to Search" to its Android phones. This intuitive feature in Galaxy AI rolls out a powerful search experience. You simply draw a circle around an image or a part of it, and Galaxy AI will search from the web to identify and show you what it is.

Image Credit: Samsung
Image Credit: Samsung

Apple Intelligence with enhanced Siri, though, leverages improved NLP search capabilities inside the Photos apps, it does not have such web search, which is a direct equivalent to Circle to Search.

Winner: Samsung

5. Apple Intelligence Vs Galaxy AI: Image Editing

Samsung offers a Magic Eraser Tool

Galaxy AI leverages generative AI to build upon its earlier “magic eraser” tool. Besides removing unwanted objects, users can now adjust their placement and size as well as replace the background with its Generative Edit feature. With this feature, you can easily remove an element from an image and fill the space intelligently.

Apple Offers “Clean Up” Tool

Apple Intelligence brings a "Clean Up” tool to its iOS 18 software. It works similar to the Magic Eraser tool. The users need to visit the iOS photos app and choose a photo. Then, circle the unwanted object. Apple's GenAI will remove that distracting object or living thing from the picture right away. Besides iPhones, the Clean Up tool will also be functioning in Apple's tablets on iPadOS18.

Image Credit: Apple
Image Credit: Apple

Winner: Both rivals fall at the same level.

6. Apple Intelligence Vs Galaxy AI: Health & Fitness Updates

Galaxy AI integrates with Samsung’s Health app. It analyzes data and provides personalized tips and an overall energy score to its users. The AI-powered workout tracking and the analysis of advanced health metrics unleash more insightful health data for its users. Samsung's latest devices paired up with Galaxy Watch Ultra or Galaxy Watch 7 can track and show your energy score throughout the day.

Image Credit: Samsung
Image Credit: Samsung

Apple Intelligence has enhanced Apple’s Health app to offer more personalized insights. It deeply integrates with Apple’s health-focused ecosystem of software and hardware. The predictive health features and the trend analysis are amazing.

Winner: Both rivals are equally good in some way or the other.

7. Apple Intelligence Vs Galaxy AI: Third-Party AI Systems Integrations

Apple Intelligence outshines in this category as it has initiated third-party integration with the AI model ChatGPT. With this initiative, we can foresee Apple mounting AI capabilities on iOS devices.
Samsung, on the other hand, relies just on Google’s partnership. Its approach in Galaxy AI is to develop its own AI capabilities rather than 3rd-Party AI integrations.

Winner: Apple Intelligence for its openness.

8. Apple Intelligence Vs Galaxy AI: Device Compatibility

Apple’s latest announcement reveals the availability of this GenAI suite starting from its last year launched model iPhone 15 Pro and onwards. It is compatible with devices powered by Apple Silicon. All the upcoming iPhones with an A17 Pro chip or newer will also be compatible with this smartphone AI. The users of iPads and Macs equipped with M-series chipsets will also benefit from Apple Intelligence.

Samsung Galaxy AI is compatible not only with Samsungsung Galaxy S24 Seies, witht to Galaxy S23 and S22 Series as well. It will also be rolled out to Galaxy Z Series, including Z Flip 4 and the recently launched AI smartphones Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 and Z Flip6, Z Fold 5 and Z Fold6. Galaxy Tab S9 Series and Galaxy Buds2 and 3 Series, as well as Galaxy Bud FE, also offer this AI feature set.

Winner: Galaxy AI, as it is compatible with more devices.

Which Smartphone AI is Better?

Samsung’s Galaxy AI and Apple Intelligence are the most competitive and all-inclusive AI suites in the smartphone ecosystem. Samsung, with Galaxy AI, exploits generative AI to provide power tools to its users. Backed by Apple intelligence, the tech giant Apple is also going to add new AI features to its upcoming devices. If you want fun AI features, Apple intelligence has an edge. Being more integrated in every perspective, it accesses its user’s personal context in an entirely secured way and combines this information with generative AI and LLMs. In this way, Apple delivers truly helpful personal intelligence to its users as they can do the things that matter most to them. Galaxy AI’s everyday features like real-time translation facilitates communication and makes your mundane tasks easier while boosting productivity. It is also compatible with a wide range of devices.
The selection between these two AI powerhouses comes down to your personal priority and the devices you own. Both represent a true picture of advanced smartphone AI technology and no matter what you select, it will boost your mobile experience with GenAI-powered capabilities.

Let’s Have a Look at a Bigger Picture!

While both Apple Intelligence and Samsung Galaxy AI overlap in some features like writing, editing, proofreading, summarizing and, photo editing etc., both of these AI suites approach generative AI in a different way. Apple’s AI viewpoint is more like joining the dots between your apps, whereas Samsung views AI as a tool to facilitate individual tasks.

Apple's approach to Apple Intelligence is a secured deep integration not only within its ecosystem but with other third-party AI models as well. Alternatively, Samsung’s focus with Galaxy AI is more on breadth rather than depth. It is a less secure but more versatile AI tool as it works across various Samsung devices and apps, including cloud-based enhancements.

Apple and Samsung both promise to bring a lot more with GenAI, so their AI powerhouses are just the beginning. As Apple is late in the GenAI game and its Apple Intelligence is yet to be experienced later this fall, so we are not sure how well it works and contributes to the iOS experience. Galaxy AI being already available in Samsung smartphones, has a little edge over its rival as users are personally experiencing generative AI features in their pocket. We are not sure whether Apple Intelligence will live up to its promise, but one thing is for sure Apple has an enhanced vision of AI than Samsung. We can't explicitly say that Apple has better AI, but Apple has a better idea of what AI on phones should look like.

As Tim Cook, Apple's Chief Executive Officer, ignites the excitement with this statement:

“This is AI as only Apple can deliver it, and we can’t wait for users to experience what it can do.”