Samsung Announces Google Photos Integration for 2026 AI TVs

Samsung Electronics revealed plans on Sunday to incorporate Google Photos into its 2026 AI TV lineup, allowing users to display and relive personal photographs and videos on television screens.

The integration, set to debut in early 2026, will enable seamless transfer of images from mobile devices to Samsung's Vision AI Companion-enabled televisions. Users will access the feature by signing into a Google Account, with backed-up photos automatically appearing on the screen. This move aims to enhance family viewing experiences by presenting memories in a larger, more immersive format.

Kevin Lee, executive vice president of the Customer Experience Team at Samsung's Visual Display Business, stated that the addition builds on the television's role in uniting households. The feature will integrate with Samsung's Daily+ and Daily Board interfaces, surfacing contextual photo reminders throughout the day.

Key Features and Rollout Timeline

The rollout will occur in phases, beginning with the Memories function in March 2026. This initial offering will display curated photo stories organized by people, locations and significant events, marking its television debut exclusively on Samsung models for the first six months.

Subsequent updates planned for the second half of 2026 include Create with AI and Personalized Results. The Create feature leverages NanoBanana, an image generation model from Google DeepMind, to provide themed templates for editing photos. Users can apply Remix to alter artistic styles or convert still images into short videos via Photo to Video.

Personalized Results will generate slideshows of related images based on specific themes, such as ocean scenes, hiking trips or locations like Paris, drawing from users' photo libraries.

Shimrit Ben-Yair, vice president of Google Photos and Google One, noted that the partnership extends the service's organizational capabilities to home entertainment systems, facilitating easier sharing and rediscovery of content.

Technical and Availability Details

The integration requires compatible 2026 Samsung TV models equipped with Vision AI Companion. For existing models, the features will arrive via over-the-air operating system updates, though availability depends on regional schedules. Users must ensure Memories is enabled in Google Photos settings and maintain backed-up media.

Certain AI templates under the Create function will be exclusive to Samsung televisions. Feature support may vary by device model and geographic region, with full details to be confirmed closer to launch.

This announcement aligns with Samsung's broader push into AI-enhanced displays, following recent unveilings at events like IFA 2025 and preparations for CES 2026. The company positions the Google Photos addition as a step toward making televisions central hubs for personal media consumption.

Industry observers view the partnership as a competitive response to smart home ecosystems from rivals like Apple and Amazon, emphasizing cross-platform compatibility. Samsung's Visual Display division, a key revenue driver, continues to innovate amid a recovering consumer electronics market.

No specific pricing or model details for the 2026 lineup were disclosed, but the integration is expected to be available at no additional cost beyond standard TV purchases and Google account requirements.