Galaxy AI costs Galaxy S22 users at least $305 and a trade-in

Samsung's Galaxy AI isn't coming to your Galaxy S22, Galaxy S22+, or Galaxy S22 Ultra, and for once, people can't blame the underrated Exynos 2200 chip for this outcome.

The proof is in the pudding, and the pudding is the Galaxy S23 FE. The international variant of the Fan Edition phone sports the same Exynos 2200 chip as the international Galaxy S22. Yet, the S23 FE will eventually get Galaxy AI through a firmware update, while the Galaxy S22 series will not.

The simplified reason why the Galaxy S22 series is left out is simple. Galaxy AI is a new thing, and it takes time and resources to optimize it for each phone. Samsung is treading carefully right now and can only go as far as bringing AI to 2023 and newer high-end models, including the Galaxy S23 FE.

So, let's say you, a Galaxy S22-series owner, really want to access Samsung's new Advanced Intelligence features on your phone. What can you do?

You can use Galaxy AI for $305, kind of

The harsh reality is that the only option Galaxy S22 users have to experience Galaxy AI is to trade up to a newer phone. Or you can try finding Galaxy AI substitutes, such as using Google Lens instead of Circle to Search. But that can only get you so far, and there really isn't a lot else you can do.

The trade-in route is the most realistic if you are a Galaxy S22, S22+, or S22 Ultra owner in a market where Samsung offers a decent exchange program.

Take Samsung USA, for example. You can, in theory, give Samsung your Galaxy S22, S22+, or S22 Ultra and an extra $429, $409, or $305 for the Galaxy S23 FE. After that, you can wait for Samsung to release the Galaxy AI update on your new Fan Edition device.

Or you could apply a similar trade-in strategy and exchange your Galaxy S22-series phone for a Galaxy S23 or Galaxy S24 model.

At the least, you are expected to pay $305 extra. And at the most, you can pay upward of $849 if you trade-in the base Galaxy S22 for the latest Galaxy S24 Ultra. Or you might be able to find a balance, depending on which S22 model you exchange and which S23/S24 variant you expect in return.

If you are planning to go through with this trade-in strategy for the sake of AI, you should refer to your local Samsung online shop for more pricing details. Trade-in values can vary sometimes, and Samsung often launches so-called “enhanced” trade-in promotions.

In the end, it's interesting how Samsung is considering asking for money for select future Galaxy AI tools starting next year, but, in a way, AI already costs extra for Galaxy S22 users who can't accept being outdone by the Galaxy S23 FE for the simple fact that both phones rock the same chips.