Samsung has confirmed that it has begun adding Google’s Gemini AI assistant to its latest Galaxy A-Series phones .
While I generally quite like the Samsung Galaxy A56 , one of my own pet peeves with the phone is that a long press of the side button (used for the power/wake function) brings up Samsung’s unloved Bixby assistant.
That would make sense if it weren’t for the fact that the Samsung Galaxy S25 series swapped that out for the vastly superior Google Gemini AI assistant a couple of months prior.
Now, Samsung has announced that it’s belatedly bringing the same function over to its Galaxy A series, and rollout is taking place this month.
Samsung’s Galaxy A Gemini announcement
“With this update,” says Samsung in a recent Newsroom post , “users will be able to enjoy smarter AI experiences, including launching Gemini, Google’s AI-powered assistant, by simply pressing and holding the side button”.
According to Sammy Fans , the rollout is taking place in May 2025, so it may have already begun. To make sure your device is up to date, head to Settings > Software Update > Download and Install and complete the installation of any outstanding updates.
Samsung points out that it took steps to bring more of its AI (that’s ‘Awesome Intelligence’ in this instance) features to more people with the Galaxy A56 5G, Galaxy A36 5G and Galaxy A26 5G.
Foundry | Alex Walker-Todd
Samsung’s AI Select helps you pull information from and manipulate text and images on-screen, while Read Aloud reads out on-screen copy, provided you’re happy using Samsung’s native web browser and Bixby’s stilted voice.
However, the main deal with these latest Galaxy A phones, at least when it comes to AI, is very much Google’s Gemini (along with Circle to Search). Placing that power under your thumb should make it even more accessible in a pinch.
Samsung says that this new software update will start rolling out globally to select Galaxy A series models from early May. Given that it name-checks the Galaxy A56 5G, Galaxy A36 5G and Galaxy A26 5G earlier in the post, we’re guessing that those latest phones will be first in line.
Samsung Galaxy A56
Author: Jon Mundy, Contributor, Tech Advisor
Jon is a freelance journalist who got his start covering mobile games at the dawn of the App Store. He has since covered everything from smart home tech and laptops to food and culture, but always seems to return to his fascination with smartphones.
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