Samsung unveils Galaxy A series smartphones with ‘awesome’ AI [VIDEO]

Samsung has rolled out a number of artificial intelligence (AI) features to its A series midrange devices, including a SOS+, a personal emergency service for users of the device.

The South Korean company celebrated the launch of its latest Galaxy A series – the Galaxy A56 5G, Galaxy A36 5G, and Galaxy A26 5G – at an event in the heart of Johannesburg on Wednesday night and gave attendees a glimpse of the devices’ (supposedly) ‘Awesome’ Intelligence features.

While Samsung has about 50% of the South African mid-range smartphone market share, other brands like Oppo, Honour, Huawei, and Xiaomi are catching up with their own AI feature-packed devices as they compete in a saturated market with consumers looking for more affordable smartphones.

Mobile AI

Samsung’s mobile AI, first seen on the Galaxy S24 with “Circle to Search,” has expanded to more AI features, which have now been tailored specifically for its A series devices.

Speaking to The Citizen, Samsung’s head of product management, Zahir Cajee, said that while the company’s mobile AI, which is powered by Google, is available on other midrange smartphones, the device’s hardware also needs to be compatible to run the features.

“For this AI to come alive, the device itself, from a hardware perspective, needs to be compatible as well. The processing speed, power, and technology needed to enable this AI are needed. That’s why we were also first to market because of hardware technology.

“We have just brought it into our A series devices. We can expect that at some point in time these types of features will become mainstream on other devices. But it’s our job to lead the market with innovation with the type of accessibility to make AI mainstream for everybody,” Cajee said.

Cajee added that in 18 to 24 months, AI capability will become one of consumers’ top three purchase considerations.

WATCH Zaheer Cajee sharing details about Samsung’s mobile AI

Samsung rolled out AI features to its A series devices. Zahir Cajee said while the company’s mobile AI which is powered by Google, is on other smartphones, the hardware also needs to be compatible #GalaxyAEvent #AwesomeIntelligence @SamsungMobileSA @SamsungSA @TheCitizen_News pic.twitter.com/H3BuVnAd5v

— 𝙵𝚊𝚒𝚣𝚎𝚕 𝙿𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚕 ⚡️ (@FaizelPatel143) April 17, 2025

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A series features

Powered by One UI 7, the A series devices can now also recognise music playing in videos, helping users identify songs by tapping a button.

The Galaxy A series features a triple-camera system featuring a 50MP main lens on all devices. Editing features like Object Eraser let users remove unwanted elements from images.

All three models feature 5,000mAh battery, with Super-Fast Charging 2.0 (45W) support on the Galaxy A56 5G and A36 5G.

Pricing

Samsung also unveiled Samsung SOS+, a personal emergency service developed in partnership with AURA, an emergency response platform connecting users to a wide network of vetted medical and armed responders.

The service is free for the first 12 months with the purchase of any qualifying device, including the new Galaxy A56, A36, and A26.  The Subscription service will be available from 01 May 2025.

The Samsung Galaxy A56 retails R 11 000,  A36 at R 7 500 and A26 for R5 000

Trump tariffs

When The Citizen asked Cajee whether US President Donald Trump’s tariffs would affect Samsung devices for local consumers, Cajee said, “It’s a sensitive topic.”

Trump warned this week that exemptions on smartphones, laptops, and other electronic products from import tariffs on China will be short-lived.

The US president said that no one is “getting off the hook” on trade after his administration appeared to dial down pressure on China by issuing a notice exempting certain high-tech products from his “reciprocal” tariffs.

“It is something that our HQ team is engaging on, and as soon as we know the implications in terms of our value and supply chain and the implications they may or may not have within the South African market, Cajee said.

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