The Truth Behind Google's Payments to Samsung for Gemini AI

Published On Wed Apr 23 2025

Google has paid Samsung a significant amount to pre-install its AI chatbot, Gemini, on Samsung smartphones. This deal also includes advertising revenue, as revealed in a recent antitrust lawsuit filed against the tech giant.

Google Trial: Company Paid Samsung 'Enormous Sums' for Gemini AI App Installs - Bloomberg

Peter Fitzgerald, Google's vice president of platform and device partnerships, testified in the trial regarding the sanctions against Google. He disclosed that Alphabet, Google's parent company, was making monthly payments to Samsung to have Gemini pre-installed on their devices.

According to Fitzgerald's testimony, the contract between Gemini and Samsung spans two years and encompasses a fixed monthly payment along with a share of ad revenue generated by the Gemini app on Samsung devices. The switch from Samsung's Bixby to Gemini as the default AI assistant on the Galaxy S25 series, announced in January 2025, coincided with the commencement of monthly payments to Samsung.

While the exact amount of Google's payments remains undisclosed, Department of Justice attorney David Dahlquist described them as 'enormous' in his opening statements.

Despite Gemini's exclusive contract with Samsung, Fitzgerald highlighted that other tech giants like Microsoft, Meta, and OpenAI had also offered competitive proposals to Samsung. He emphasized Google's competitive offer, considering what rival companies were providing to Samsung.

During cross-examination, Fitzgerald mentioned that Samsung had the option to incorporate other generative AI services, and a contract amendment in April 2025 removed the obligation for Google's search engine and AI assistant to be pre-installed on Samsung devices.

The lawsuit not only questions Google's anti-competitive behavior but also opens the possibility for potential buyers if Google is required to divest Chrome. OpenAI has expressed interest in acquiring Chrome if such a situation arises.

OpenAI intends to buy Chrome from Google, as reported, and had previously requested Google's search technology, which was declined - GIGAZINE