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Google brings Samsung’s best new AI feature to Pixel 9 and older Galaxy phones

By Aleksandar Anastasov

Published: Jan 30, 2025, 8:19 AM

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Black background with Gemini Live written on the left and a phone on the right.

Samsung may have launched its Galaxy S25 series with flashy new AI features, but Google isn’t letting its own Pixel users feel left out. One of the most useful AI tools from Samsung’s latest flagships—Gemini’s Talk Live shortcut—is now rolling out to Pixel 9 owners as well as last year’s Galaxy S24 series.

The move was quietly confirmed in a Google blog post last week, though many may have missed it amid all the Galaxy S25 launch hype.

What is Gemini’s Talk Live, and why should you care?

Gemini’s Talk Live shortcut is designed to make interacting with AI smoother and more intuitive. Instead of just typing in questions manually, this feature allows you to instantly engage with Gemini based on what’s on your screen—whether it’s an image, video, or document.

Here’s how it works:

Summon Gemini by long-pressing the power button or using a voice command.
New “chips” (shortcut buttons) appear in the Gemini overlay, offering contextual prompts based on what you’re looking at.
Tapping a chip instantly feeds the content (URL, page data, or an entire file) into Gemini, which then launches a live chat.

Essentially, it takes away the friction of copy-pasting information or switching between apps—making it easier to get real-time AI assistance.

Pixel 9 users can already try it—but not everyone has it yet

The feature was successfully tested on a Pixel 9 Pro XL running Gemini v1.0.686588308 and Google app v16.2.40. However, some Galaxy S24 Ultra users have yet to see the feature enabled, suggesting a staged rollout.

Users can also tweak how Gemini Talk Live works. By default, images, videos, and files auto-submit to Gemini when using the shortcut. But if that feels too automatic, a long-press on the chip lets you turn auto-submit off for more control.

Samsung’s AI exclusivity didn’t last long—but that’s expected

The rollout of Gemini’s Talk Live to Google’s own phones was inevitable—just like what happened with Circle to Search last year. That feature debuted on the Galaxy S24 series before quickly making its way to Pixel 8 users, and eventually most new Android devices.

A year later, Circle to Search is now standard on Android, and it’s likely Gemini Talk Live will follow the same trajectory.

While some Galaxy S25 users might feel shortchanged, Samsung still holds some unique AI tricks in its arsenal, including:

Now Brief – A smarter alternative to Google’s At a Glance widget, summarizing your day with AI-powered insights.
Cross-app actions – AI automation that lets you perform complex tasks across different apps seamlessly.

With the Galaxy S25 series hitting store shelves on February 7, users will soon get to experience all of these AI-driven features firsthand. Apparently, some Galaxy S25 series pre-orders are even arriving earlier than expected. Of course, if you pre-order one right now that probably won't be the case, but just in case here's how you can do that:

$519 ⁹⁹

$1419 ⁹⁹

$900 off (63%)

Get the mighty Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra for up to $900 off with the official Samsung Store. To get the discount, you must provide an eligible trade-in in good condition. Alternatively, you can get the 512GB model for $225 off with Samsung Instant Savigns, no trade-in required.

Buy at Samsung

$419 ⁹⁹

$1119 ⁹⁹

$700 off (63%)

Trade in your old phone in good condition and save up to $700 on the Galaxy S25+. Alternatively, you can buy the 512GB model for $175 off with no required trade-ins.

Buy at Samsung

$299 ⁹⁹

$799 ⁹⁹

$500 off (63%)

Trade in your old phone to save up to $500 on the Galaxy S25. The 256GB variant is also available at the same trade-in discount. Alternatively, you can get the 128GB model for $100 off with Samsung Instant Savings or save $125 on the larger storage configuration.

Buy at Samsung

There's a pretty good Pixel 9 Pro deal right now at Amazon too:

$150 off (15%)

While it doesn't have the same raw horsepower as the Galaxy S24 Ultra and the OnePlus 13, the Pixel 9 Pro is another very capable option. The best part is that you can buy this flagship in several colors for $150 off its original price. That brings it down to about $850, giving you more value for your money.

Buy at Amazon

The bigger picture: What’s next for AI in smartphones?

The Google Pixel 9 series has been available since last August, but we’re already looking ahead to what’s next. The Pixel 9a, Google’s next budget-friendly AI-powered phone, is rumored to launch in just two months. Meanwhile, the Pixel 10 series is expected to arrive this summer with even deeper AI integration.

As for Samsung, its next move will likely be expanding its Galaxy AI ecosystem beyond just smartphones—potentially into tablets, laptops, and wearables.

Either way, it’s clear that AI is no longer a gimmick—it’s becoming the defining battleground for smartphone innovation in 2025.

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Aleksandar is a tech enthusiast with a broad range of interests, from smartphones to space exploration. His curiosity extends to hands-on DIY experiments with his gadgets, and he enjoys switching between different brands to experience the latest innovations. Prior to joining PhoneArena, Aleksandar worked on the Google Art Project, digitizing valuable artworks and gaining diverse perspectives on technology. When he's not immersed in tech, Aleksandar is an outdoorsman who enjoys mountain hikes, wildlife photography, and nature conservation. His interests also extend to martial arts, running, and snowboarding, reflecting his dynamic approach to life and technology.

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