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Samsung bakes Gemini into Galaxy hardware 3 ways

Manaal KhanJuly 22, 2026 at 10:17 PM5 min read
Samsung bakes Gemini into Galaxy hardware 3 ways

Key Takeaways

Use Gemini on Samsung Galaxy as a virtual assistant | Samsung US

Samsung bakes Gemini into Galaxy hardware 3 ways
Source: Latest news
  • Gemini Intelligence automates tasks across 40+ apps, triggered by a hard-press on Galaxy Z Flip 8's power button
  • Gemini Notebook comes preinstalled on all new Galaxy foldables for drag-and-drop research workflows
  • Samsung's upcoming smart glasses will sync with Galaxy Watch via Gemini AI for hands-free assistance

Samsung's Unpacked 2026 was as much a Google event as a Samsung one. The company's new Galaxy Z Flip 8, Galaxy Z Fold 8, Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, Galaxy Watch 9, and upcoming smart glasses all ship with Gemini AI woven into the operating system. Not bolted on as a chatbot. Integrated at the hardware level.

Three features stand out. Each points to where Samsung and Google believe mobile AI is headed: automation that acts, research tools that follow you across screens, and wearables that talk to each other through a shared AI layer.

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How does Gemini task automation work on Galaxy?

Hard-press the power button on a Galaxy Z Flip 8 and Gemini Intelligence appears on the Flex Window. Ask it to book a restaurant, order concert tickets, or schedule a ride. Gemini works across more than 40 apps, according to Google, though the company hasn't published the full list.

The automation isn't fully autonomous. Users can watch Gemini's progress, pause upcoming actions, and confirm before any purchase completes. Google's demo showed that buying something still requires human approval at checkout. This matches Apple's approach with Siri's cross-app automation, announced at WWDC last month.

One gap remains unclear: permissions. Apple's Siri can access Messages, Photos, and Calendar across all devices on the same iCloud account. Samsung hasn't confirmed whether Gemini will get equivalent access to Galaxy users' data. For enterprise deployments, that ambiguity matters. IT teams need to know what data an AI assistant can read before rolling out devices.

Gemini Notebook comes preinstalled on foldables

Google recently rebranded NotebookLM as Gemini Notebook. Samsung is making it a default app on the Z Flip 8, Z Fold 8, and Z Fold 8 Ultra.

The pitch: foldables have bigger screens, so drag-and-drop research becomes practical on mobile. On the Z Fold's side-by-side display, you can pull a link, a PDF, or a photo into Notebook while reading the source material. That's a genuine workflow improvement over the single-pane experience on standard phones.

Gemini Notebook competes with tools like Notion for knowledge management and Perplexity for AI-powered research. The difference is distribution: preinstalled apps get used. Third-party apps have to earn a download. Samsung is betting that proximity wins.

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Smart glasses sync with Galaxy Watch through Gemini

Samsung teased its smart glasses again, built with Google and Qualcomm. The device has no display. Instead: a camera, speakers, and microphones. Think audio-first AI assistant you wear on your face.

The glasses sync with compatible Galaxy Watches through Gemini. Ask the glasses a question, and the watch can display the answer or handle follow-up input. Google confirmed Android XR will power this integration, the same platform announced at Google I/O in May.

Display-free smart glasses aren't new. Meta's Ray-Ban partnership proved the form factor works for casual use. Samsung's angle is tighter hardware integration. If you already own a Galaxy Watch, the glasses become an extension of your wrist. That's a harder sell for standalone buyers but a compelling upsell for existing Samsung customers.

What Samsung hasn't clarified

The big question: how much data does Gemini access, and where does it live? Google processes Gemini queries in the cloud. Samsung's on-device AI for Galaxy AI features runs locally. The boundary between the two isn't documented.

For consumers, this is a privacy footnote. For enterprises buying fleets of Galaxy devices, it's a procurement blocker. Until Samsung publishes clear data-handling policies for Gemini Intelligence, security-conscious organizations will hesitate.

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Logicity's Take

Samsung is making a calculated trade: cede the AI layer to Google in exchange for differentiation through hardware integration. Apple controls both the silicon and the assistant. Samsung doesn't. So it's betting that Gemini's capabilities will outpace what Samsung could build alone. The risk? If Google prioritizes Pixel devices for new Gemini features, Galaxy becomes a second-class citizen running someone else's AI. The smart glasses and watch sync hint at Samsung's counter-strategy: make the hardware integration so tight that Gemini works better on Galaxy than anywhere else. Whether Google plays along depends on how badly it needs Samsung's billion-plus device install base.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Galaxy devices support Gemini Intelligence?

The Galaxy Z Flip 8, Galaxy Z Fold 8, Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, and Galaxy Watch 9 all ship with Gemini AI integration. Samsung's upcoming smart glasses will also support it.

Can Gemini complete purchases automatically on Samsung phones?

No. Gemini can find products, add them to cart, and prepare checkout, but users must confirm before any purchase completes.

What is Gemini Notebook on Galaxy foldables?

Gemini Notebook is Google's rebranded research assistant, formerly NotebookLM. It comes preinstalled on new Galaxy foldables and supports drag-and-drop workflows on larger screens.

Do Samsung smart glasses have a display?

No. The glasses use a camera, speakers, and microphones for audio-first AI interaction. Visual output syncs to a paired Galaxy Watch.

How many apps support Gemini task automation?

Google says over 40 apps will be compatible, but hasn't published the full list or timeline.

Also Read
Galaxy Z Fold 8 preorders open: every deal, ranked

Compare current preorder offers if you're considering Samsung's new foldables

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Samsung launches Health Assistant AI to analyze sleep, activity, and mood

Another Gemini-powered feature announced alongside the new Galaxy lineup

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Need Help Implementing This?

If your organization is evaluating Galaxy devices for enterprise deployment, Logicity can help you navigate AI integration, MDM compatibility, and security policies. Reach out to our team for a consultation.

Source: Latest news

M

Manaal Khan

Tech & Innovation Writer

Produced with AI assistance and reviewed by the Logicity editorial team. Learn more in our Editorial Policy.

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