Artificial intelligence (AI)-powered smartphones represent a significant advancement in mobile technology, characterised by the integration of AI directly into the device’s hardware and software. Unlike traditional smartphones that depend heavily on cloud-based services for advanced functionalities, AI-powered devices come equipped with specialised components such as neural processing units and embedded machine learning (ML) models that allow smartphones to continuously adapt to user behaviour, offering intelligent automation and personalised suggestions. Further, generative AI (GenAI) is embedded into smartphones to deliver features like real-time translation and personalised content. Technologies such as Google’s Gemini Nano and Samsung’s Gauss exemplify this shift, offering fast and responsive AI experiences. Together, these AI models create a cohesive, intelligent system within the device that elevates user interaction, improves efficiency and sets a new standard for how smartphones respond and evolve with their users. A look at the advantages, challenges and what the future holds for these smartphones…
Key features
Some of the top AI smartphones in India include Motorola Edge 60 Pro, Samsung Galaxy M35 5G, Moto G85 5G, iQOO Z10, Oppo Reno 13 and Vivo V50A. The key features of AI smartphones are given below.
AI-powered cameras
In smartphones, AI-powered cameras are widely used to enhance photography by automatically adjusting settings for different conditions. For instance, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra uses advanced AI algorithms to enhance image quality in low light, adjust exposure settings in real time and even improve zoom accuracy, such as for moon photography. The Google Pixel 9 Pro integrates Google’s advanced ML models to improve portrait shots and night-time photography. Similarly, the iPhone 15 features enhanced AI for smart HDR, helping to create better dynamic range in photos and videos by intelligently adjusting contrast and colour.
AI-driven voice assistants
Building on visual intelligence, AI has also transformed voice interaction. AI-driven voice assistants are becoming increasingly sophisticated, offering more natural, responsive and context-aware interactions. All iPhone models, starting from the iPhone XS, have continued to evolve Siri with on-device processing and ML, allowing the assistant to offer proactive suggestions such as reminders, app recommendations and contextual responses without sending data to Apple servers. The Honor Magic6 Pro introduced an AI-powered voice assistant that leverages the MagicLM large language model for more natural, context-aware interactions and offline voice processing. Meanwhile, the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra features Moto AI, designed to handle complex voice commands with better contextual awareness, enabling deeper integration across messaging, camera and productivity apps.
Battery management
AI-powered battery management optimises power consumption by learning user habits and adapting in real time. The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra features an AI-powered battery protection system with an adaptive mode that monitors user sleep patterns and delays full charging until just before wake-up time to extend battery health. The Xiaomi 15 series utilises Surge P3 and G2 chips to dynamically manage power delivery, intelligently adjusting charging and power distribution based on usage patterns. Meanwhile, the itel S24 includes an “AI Smart Charge” feature that slows down charging overnight and uses a “Bypass Charging” mode during intensive tasks to minimise heat generation. These systems ensure prolonged battery life, better thermal management and overall power efficiency tailored to individual user behaviour.
Facial recognition
Facial recognition has become a core feature of many flagship smartphones. The Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro combines infrared sensors and AI algorithms to support secure unlocking and app-level authentication, especially for gaming and financial apps. The Honor Magic6 Pro integrates facial biometric recognition, allowing fast and secure face unlocking, even when the user is wearing accessories such as hats or glasses. The OnePlus 12 uses a sophisticated 3D facial mapping system powered by AI to provide highly secure and accurate authentication, improving over time to adjust to the user’s facial features. These systems use ML to continuously improve accuracy and adapt to subtle changes in user appearance.
Intelligent search
Building on secure access, intelligent search utilises AI to make it easier for users to find content across their devices. The Vivo V50, running on Funtouch OS 15, integrates features such as Circle to Search and AI Transcript Assist to allow users to quickly access relevant information across apps using gestures or voice. The Motorola Razr 50 Ultra comes equipped with Google Gemini AI, enabling intelligent, context-aware search across applications without leaving the current interface. The Oppo Reno 12 Pro features an AI Toolbox that includes AI Writer, AI Speak and AI Summary, which help users search, summarise and interact with content more efficiently. These AI-based search capabilities go beyond simple keyword matching, learning user habits and preferences to deliver personalised, real-time and highly relevant results.
Smart replies
Enhancing productivity further, smart replies leverage AI to enhance user communication by providing quick, contextually relevant responses. The Samsung Galaxy S25 series introduces AI-powered suggested replies within the Samsung Keyboard, offering context-aware response options in messaging apps. This feature analyses incoming messages and presents users with appropriate reply suggestions, streamlining communication. The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 incorporates the chat assist feature, enabling smart reply suggestions directly on the cover screen. This allows users to respond to messages without unfolding the device, enhancing convenience and efficiency.
Challenges in adoption and shortcomings
AI-powered smartphones, while redefining mobile innovation, bring with them a set of unique and evolving challenges that affect both users and developers. At the heart of the issue lies the complexity of integrating advanced AI functionalities into compact mobile hardware. For example, Google’s Gemini Nano AI model, despite its potential, faced integration challenges with the Pixel 8, primarily due to hardware constraints.
Another critical concern is the high cost associated with AI smartphones. Equipping devices with dedicated and sophisticated chipsets drives up production expenses, which often translates into premium pricing for consumers. For price-sensitive markets such as India, this acts as a major deterrent to adoption, especially when users are uncertain and less aware of the immediate benefits of AI features. As per industry estimates, high prices were estimated to deter AI smartphones from becoming widely popular in India, unlike markets such as China, South Korea and Japan.
Further, running AI features demands not just high processing power but also efficient thermal management. As AI tasks grow more complex, devices are increasingly at risk of overheating. Prolonged use of features such as night photography powered by AI or real-time video effects can trigger thermal throttling, a condition where the phone deliberately slows performance to manage heat. The result is a noticeable lag, reduced speed and degraded overall user experience.
Another emerging concern is accountability. As smartphones become more autonomous, determining responsibility for errors or unintended actions initiated by AI becomes a grey area. For instance, neither humans nor AI know who is at fault if an AI assistant misinterprets a command or auto-edits an image incorrectly. This lack of clarity in decision-making responsibilities is is an area of growing concern.
Adding to this, not all users are comfortable adapting to these new capabilities. The shift often requires learning new interfaces or trusting automated systems, which can lead to mistrust or poor engagement. This gap between capability and usability is evident in adoption trends. According to industry estimates, GenAI-capable smartphones were expected to account for just 4-5 per cent of the total smartphone shipments in India in 2024. On a global scale, they are projected to comprise 17 per cent of the estimated 1.2 billion smartphones shipped worldwide.
Beyond usability, there is also the psychological aspect. The continuous roll-out of new AI-driven features may lead to what is known as “hedonic adaptation” – a phenomenon where users quickly grow accustomed to innovations, causing initial excitement to fade and satisfaction levels to drop. This can create unrealistic expectations and a cycle of constant demand for novelty, ultimately decreasing perceived value. Moreover, as users rely more on AI to handle everyday tasks, there is a risk of increasing digital dependency. Over time, this could diminish users’ ability to perform basic functions independently, impacting critical thinking and potentially mental well-being.
Lastly, AI integration heightens data privacy and cybersecurity concerns. These systems often process vast amounts of personal data, locations, facial features and usage habits, raising the stakes for data security. The risk of data breaches, unauthorised access or AI misuse becomes more pronounced, complicating the already fragile landscape of smartphone security. A notable example is Apple’s recent agreement to pay $95 million to settle a proposed class-action lawsuit, which alleged that its Siri voice assistant violated user privacy by recording conversations without consent.
The way forward
India stands at the beginning of its journey into the AI-powered smartphone era, having only just begun to explore the full potential of these transformative technologies. Over the past year, notable breakthroughs have emerged, such as Truecaller’s collaboration with Microsoft to introduce a feature that allows users to generate a digital version of their voice to answer calls, powered by Microsoft’s Azure AI Speech technology. With the impending roll-out of widespread 5G infrastructure and the growing demand for hyper-personalised user experiences, the next few years will be pivotal in shaping a more inclusive, secure and intelligent AI smartphone ecosystem in India. As per industry projections, Apple, Samsung and Google continue to lead the AI smartphone market at the premium end, while mid-range players such as Nothing, Motorola, Vivo and Oppo are bringing AI capabilities to more affordable segments. In the absence of other strong growth drivers, industry players are banking on GenAI as a key differentiator. To stay competitive, smartphone makers are forming long-term partnerships with AI chatbot providers such as ChatGPT and Perplexity, embedding them into the device operating systems to offer deeply integrated, conversational experiences. This shift signals a strategic evolution in the smartphone industry, one where AI is not just a feature but also a foundational element driving innovation, user engagement and brand differentiation in the Indian market.
Harshita Kalra
