Photos can be whatever you wish.
The Google Pixel 9 led the way for the Samsung Galaxy S26. Google slowly introduced AI editing tools in Photos, starting with background changes. Over time, natural language requests were added, allowing for almost any modification, though some restrictions were in place. Samsung’s updated Photo Assist enters this landscape, enhancing its gallery app on the S26 with similar AI tools supporting natural language prompts. It encourages changing details like clothing or adding elements like a pet, pushing the boundaries of what a photo is.
Samsung’s AI editing shows promise and limitations. The guardrails are generally strong, blocking explicit content modifications. The AI edits are often not great, but this feature is not designed to spread disinformation. It is more about creating whimsical changes.
For instance, a tech event photo can be transformed to include a favorite band with AI, albeit with a noticeable polish and a loss of authenticity. Changing a background to outer space in a photograph of a child can work well but may feel contrived. Samsung’s AI tool does address some editing basics effectively but can falter with improper insertions.
The inconsistency of Samsung’s AI in adding figures from a source image highlights its limitations. The tool works well for simple edits, like removing background elements, but overreaches at times, affecting unrelated parts of the image.
Samsung’s AI photo editing tool is both a relief and a challenge, providing room for embellishment in photos, but with noticeable artificiality. This technology requires navigating the fine line between realistic enhancements and exaggerations, reflecting a tolerance for digital manipulation within personal boundaries.