Samsung continues to expand its AI capabilities across more affordable smartphone options, bringing flagship features to its mid-range lineup. The company has announced plans to extend the convenient Gemini assistant shortcut to several Galaxy A series devices, allowing users to access Google's AI assistant with a simple press-and-hold of the power button.
One UI 7 Requirement Creates Staggered Rollout
While Samsung has announced that the Gemini side button shortcut will begin rolling out globally in early May, there's an important caveat for many Galaxy A users. The feature requires devices to be running One UI 7, Samsung's latest operating system update. Only three models—the Galaxy A56, A36, and A26—come with One UI 7 pre-installed, meaning they'll receive the functionality immediately. Other eligible devices, including the A55, A54, A35, A34, A25, A25e, and A24, will need to wait until they receive the One UI 7 update, which according to leaked schedules isn't expected until June for most models.
Eligible Galaxy A Models for Gemini Side Button Shortcut:
- Galaxy A56 5G (One UI 7 pre-installed)
- Galaxy A36 5G (One UI 7 pre-installed)
- Galaxy A26 5G (One UI 7 pre-installed)
- Galaxy A55 5G (One UI 7 update expected in June)
- Galaxy A54 5G (One UI 7 update expected in June)
- Galaxy A35 5G (One UI 7 update expected in June)
- Galaxy A34 5G (One UI 7 update expected in June)
- Galaxy A25 5G (One UI 7 update expected in June)
- Galaxy A25e 5G (One UI 7 update expected in June)
- Galaxy A24 (One UI 7 update expected in June)
Expanding AI Accessibility Across Price Points
This move represents Samsung's broader strategy to standardize its AI experience across different price tiers. Jay Kim, Executive Vice President and Head of Customer Experience Office at Samsung Electronics, emphasized the company's collaboration with Google, stating: Samsung and Google have been working together to deliver seamless, intuitive and meaningful AI experiences, making the latest technology more accessible for more users. The integration brings the same convenient access method previously reserved for flagship Galaxy S devices to more affordable options.
Gemini Replacing Bixby as Samsung's AI Strategy Evolves
The side button shortcut for Gemini reflects Samsung's shifting AI assistant strategy. On the Galaxy S25 series, Gemini has already replaced Bixby as the default assistant launched by the side button. By extending this functionality to the A series, Samsung creates consistency across its ecosystem while giving mid-range users access to Gemini's capabilities, which include checking schedules, providing recommendations, and completing tasks across apps with voice commands.
Timing and Availability
The update enabling the Gemini side button shortcut will begin rolling out to Galaxy A series devices in early May, coinciding with the May security patch update. However, as noted earlier, most users will need to wait until their devices receive the One UI 7 update in June before they can take advantage of this new shortcut. This staggered approach means that while the feature has been announced for a wide range of Galaxy A devices, the actual user experience will vary depending on which model you own and when your specific device receives the necessary software update.