A recent survey conducted by second-hand smartphone marketplace SellCell has revealed that most iPhone and Samsung Galaxy users find artificial intelligence (AI) features on their smartphones to be of little to no value.
According to the study, 73% of iPhone users and an even larger 87% of Samsung Galaxy users believe AI features do not enhance their smartphone experience in any meaningful way.
Lack of Interest in AI Features
Despite major smartphone brands integrating AI into their latest devices, users appear largely uninterested. The survey found that 41.6% of iPhone users and 46.9% of Samsung Galaxy users have never even attempted to use the AI features available on their devices.
This raises questions about whether AI in smartphones is truly useful for the average consumer or merely a marketing gimmick. While Apple and Samsung promote AI as a game-changer, the reality seems to be that most people simply don’t care or see a need for it.
Users Are Unwilling to Pay for AI Subscriptions
As tech companies explore ways to monetize AI, this survey provides a harsh reality check. A staggering 86.5% of iPhone users and 94.5% of Samsung Galaxy users said they would refuse to pay for AI services.
Samsung has already begun offering free trials of premium AI features, such as six months of Gemini Advanced on its latest Galaxy S25 devices, but given the survey results, very few users seem interested in extending their subscriptions once the free period ends.
Apple has not yet announced any plans to charge for Apple Intelligence, but this data suggests that any attempt to do so might face significant resistance from consumers.
AI Is Not a Factor in Brand Switching
One of the biggest takeaways from the survey is that AI has little to no impact on consumer loyalty or switching between brands.
Only 16.8% of iPhone users said they would consider switching to Samsung for better AI features, while just 9.7% of Samsung users said they would switch to an iPhone for the same reason.
These numbers indicate that, despite the massive push for AI integration, it remains an insignificant factor in determining which brand consumers choose.
How AI Affects Smartphone Purchase Decisions
Interestingly, while most users find AI features unimportant, a notable percentage still consider them when buying a new phone. The survey found that 47.6% of iPhone users factor in AI when purchasing their next device, compared to just 23.7% of Samsung users.
However, this doesn’t mean they actively use AI—many may simply expect AI to be a standard feature in newer phones, rather than something they specifically seek out.
Which AI Is Perceived as Better? Apple vs. Samsung
When asked which AI performs better, iPhone users were more likely to favor their own brand’s AI than Samsung users. About 15.4% of iPhone users believe Apple Intelligence is superior to Galaxy AI, whereas only 7.8% of Samsung users believe Galaxy AI is better than Apple Intelligence.
This could be influenced by brand loyalty, but it also highlights that even among those who use AI, opinions on its effectiveness remain divided.
Why Aren’t Users Engaging with AI?
Several possible reasons could explain why most smartphone users ignore AI features:
- Lack of Awareness – Many users may not even realize their phone has AI features or how to access them.
- AI Features Feel Gimmicky – Some AI functions, like automatic photo editing or text summarization, might not feel essential to everyday use.
- Privacy Concerns – Users might avoid AI due to concerns about data security and how their personal information is being processed.
- Complexity – AI-powered features can sometimes feel complicated, leading users to stick with traditional smartphone functions instead.
- Satisfaction with Existing Features – Many users may simply find their phone works fine without AI, making these additions unnecessary.
Is AI in Smartphones a Failed Experiment?
The lukewarm response from users suggests that AI in smartphones is struggling to gain widespread adoption. While AI continues to revolutionize other industries, its impact on everyday smartphone users appears minimal.
Samsung and Apple may need to rethink how they implement AI in their devices to make it feel more useful and less like an optional novelty. Simplifying AI features, improving accuracy, and addressing privacy concerns could help increase engagement.
The Future of AI in Smartphones
While AI might not be a must-have feature today, it doesn’t mean it won’t be in the future. As AI technology evolves, its applications may become more practical and indispensable.
For now, though, it’s clear that the average smartphone user remains indifferent to AI. Unless brands can introduce AI features that are truly useful, seamless, and intuitive, AI in smartphones may remain nothing more than an overhyped selling point.
