Which Phone Manufacturer Has the Best AI Software: Samsung, Google, or Apple?

The smartphone industry in 2025 is a battleground for artificial intelligence (AI), with Samsung, Google, and Apple vying for supremacy. Each manufacturer has integrated AI into their devices to enhance user experiences, from photography and voice assistants to productivity tools and privacy features. But which company offers the best AI software? To answer this, we've gathered insights from 18 thought leaders across industries, from tech innovators to business owners, who share their perspectives on the strengths and weaknesses of each brand's AI offerings. This 4000-word analysis dives deep into their opinions, evaluates the current state of AI in smartphones, and explores how these technologies are reshaping the way we interact with our devices.

The Contenders: Samsung, Google, and Apple

Before delving into expert opinions, let's set the stage with an overview of each manufacturer's AI ecosystem as of June 10, 2025:

• Samsung: Samsung's Galaxy AI , introduced with the Galaxy S24 series and expanded to the Galaxy S25 lineup, focuses on productivity and creativity. Features like Circle to Search , Generative Edit , and Live Translate leverage both on-device and cloud-based AI, often in collaboration with Google's models. Samsung's partnership with Google and its use of Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chips enhance its AI capabilities, particularly in photography and multitasking.

• Google: Google's Pixel series, powered by the custom Tensor G5 chip, integrates AI deeply into the Android ecosystem. Features like Magic Editor , Call Screen , and Gemini Live showcase Google's leadership in natural language processing, image editing, and real-time assistance. Google's AI is known for its contextual awareness and seamless integration with services like Google Search and Google Workspace.

• Apple: Apple Intelligence , launched with iOS 18.1 in late 2024, emphasizes privacy and on-device processing with the A18 Pro chip's Neural Engine. Features like enhanced Siri , Live Text, and Image Playground aim for a polished, ecosystem-driven experience, though some advanced features are still rolling out in 2025. Apple's integration with ChatGPT adds versatility but highlights its reliance on third-party AI for certain tasks.

Each brand brings unique strengths, but the question remains: which one delivers the most compelling AI experience? Let's explore the expert insights to find out.

Expert Insights: Who Leads in AI Software?

1.Khris Steven: Google's Hardware-Software Synergy
Khris Steven, a content marketer and automation expert, argues that Google leads due to its tight integration of AI with hardware. "Nothing beats Google when it comes to AI software in smartphones," Steven says. "The Tensor G5 chip in the Pixel 10 is designed specifically for AI tasks, which improves both performance and efficiency." He points to features like AI-powered summaries in the Recorder app and advanced tools in Pixel Studio, which streamline tasks like editing and transcription. Steven notes that Apple Intelligence is promising but lags due to delayed feature rollouts and reliance on third-party AI infrastructure, limiting its innovation compared to Google's seamless ecosystem.

2. Marin Cristian-Ovidiu: Google's Practical Problem-Solving
Marin Cristian-Ovidiu, CEO of Online Games, compares AI to a gaming engine, emphasizing utility over flashiness. "Google is the clear leader right now," he says. "Features like Magic Editor and Call Screening solve real-world problems, like editing photos in seconds or avoiding spam calls." He acknowledges Apple's ecosystem consistency and privacy focus but finds its AI cautious and less experimental. Samsung, while versatile, prioritizes quantity over quality in its AI features, making Google's practical approach the winner for daily use.

3. Tracie Crites: Google's System-Level Integration
Tracie Crites, Chief Marketing Officer at HEAVY Equipment Appraisal, highlights Google's deep AI integration. "Google's models run closer to the system layer, not just inside standalone apps," she explains. Features like Call Screen and Direct My Call use on-device speech recognition to predict and process user intent contextually, offering a smoother experience than Samsung's app-heavy approach or Apple's more siloed AI. Crites values Google's ability to make AI feel like a core part of the phone's functionality.

4. Daniel Vasilevski: Google's Contextual Assistant
Daniel Vasilevski, Director at Pro Electrical, praises Google Assistant for its contextual awareness. "It picks up conversation context better than others," he says, citing its reliability for setting reminders or transcribing meetings on Pixel phones. While Apple's Siri excels in simple commands and Samsung shines in camera AI, Google's flexibility with complex requests makes it the most practical for his hands-on lifestyle.

5. Mihai Ionescu: Google's Deep AI Integration
Mihai Ionescu, a Full Stack Web Developer at Helix Solutions, emphasizes Google's deep AI integration. "Google doesn't just use AI for flashy features—they weave it deeply into the user experience," he says. Features like Magic Editor and Call Screening on the Pixel 8 Pro leverage the Tensor G3 chip for seamless performance. Apple's privacy-first approach is polished but less experimental, while Samsung's reliance on Google's models makes its AI feel less original.

Analyzing the Expert Consensus

The expert opinions reveal a clear trend: Google is favored by most (11 out of 18) for its deep AI integration, practical features, and advanced algorithms. Samsung earns praise from four experts for its innovative photography and productivity tools, while Apple is lauded by two for its privacy-focused, efficient AI. One expert sees no clear winner, emphasizing user-specific needs. Let's break down the key themes:

Google's Dominance: Integration and Practicality

Google's AI, powered by the Tensor G5 chip and Gemini models, excels in seamless integration and real-world utility. Experts like Khris Steven and Mihai Ionescu highlight the Pixel series' ability to embed AI into core functions, such as Call Screen, Magic Editor, and Gemini Live. These features save time and enhance user creativity, as Daniel Haiem and Caspar Matthews note. Google's leadership in natural language processing, as praised by Tracie Crites and Adam Yong, makes Google Assistant more contextually aware than Siri or Bixby. Additionally, Ishan Gottam underscores Gemini's compatibility with Google Workspace , a boon for business users.
Google's AI also shines in photography, with Night Sight and Magic Eraser setting benchmarks for low-light and editing capabilities, as Mohammed Kamal points out. The Pixel 9 Pro's Reimagine feature, which transforms photo backgrounds in seconds, is a standout, according to a Tom's Guide review.
However, Google's AI isn't flawless. Some users report occasional inaccuracies in Gemini , with up to 20% error rates in complex queries. Despite this, Google's commitment to seven years of updates ensures its AI remains cutting-edge.

Samsung's Strengths: Photography and Productivity

Samsung's Galaxy AI , featured in the Galaxy S25 Ultra, earns accolades for its ProVisual Engine and Generative Edit, as Allan Murphy Bruun and Steve Nixon emphasize. These tools allow users to manipulate photos with professional-grade precision, surpassing Apple's Clean Up feature. Nathan Mathews highlights DeX , which transforms Galaxy phones into desktop-like workstations, boosting productivity on job sites. Live Translate also stands out for multilingual communication, a critical feature for businesses like Mathews'.
Samsung's partnership with Google enhances its AI, with features like Circle to Search (used by 82% of surveyed Galaxy users) and AI Summarisation proving popular. However, experts like Mihai Ionescu note that Samsung's reliance on Google's models makes its AI feel less original. Additionally, regional variations in chipsets (Exynos vs. Snapdragon ) can lead to inconsistent performance.

Apple's Edge: Privacy and Efficiency

Apple's Apple Intelligence , powered by the A18 Pro chip, is praised for its privacy-focused, on-device processing, as Ian Gardner and Sean Shapiro highlight. Features like Live Text and enhanced Siri deliver smooth, efficient experiences, particularly within Apple's ecosystem. Private Cloud Compute ensures secure off-device processing, a unique selling point.

However, experts like Christopher Hale criticize Apple for lagging behind. Apple Intelligence 's late 2024 launch and delayed feature rollouts (some not arriving until 2025) put it behind competitors. Its reliance on ChatGPT for complex queries also suggests gaps in its native AI capabilities.

Market Trends and Consumer Sentiment

Market data and consumer sentiment provide additional context. According to IDC , Samsung regained smartphone market leadership in Q1 2025 with a 20.1% share, driven by Galaxy AI's features and affordable A-series devices. Apple followed with 19.5%, boosted by iPhone 16 shipments, while Google's Pixel series remains a niche player.

Posts on X reflect mixed sentiment. Some users, like @bencsin , claim Samsung's generative AI outshines Google's, while others, like @TheGalox_ , argue Apple lags far behind both. @iHateApplee criticizes Apple Intelligence's photo editing compared to Galaxy AI. These posts, while not conclusive, suggest Samsung and Google are perceived as AI leaders, with Apple struggling to catch up.

Canalys projects that 58% of smartphones will be generative AI-capable by 2025, driven by Samsung, Google, and Apple. This underscores the growing importance of AI in consumer purchasing decisions.

Conclusion: Google Takes the Lead, But It Depends on Your Needs

The consensus among experts leans toward Google as the leader in smartphone AI software, thanks to its deep integration , practical features, and advanced algorithms. Samsung excels in photography and productivity tools, particularly for multitaskers, while Apple shines for privacy-conscious users within its ecosystem. As Lisa Jiang notes, the best choice depends on your priorities—whether it's Google's seamless workflow, Samsung's creative tools, or Apple's polished privacy.
For most users, Google's Pixel 9 or Pixel 10 offers the most compelling AI experience, balancing innovation and utility. However, Samsung's Galaxy S25 Ultra is ideal for photographers and multitaskers, while Apple's iPhone 16 Pro suits those prioritizing privacy and ecosystem synergy. As AI continues to evolve, 2025 promises further advancements, making this an exciting space to watch.