Google announced that its Gemini Intelligence features will only be accessible on Android devices with advanced 2026 specifications. This requirement limits the new on-device AI capabilities to upcoming models such as the Google Pixel 10 and Samsung Galaxy S26 series.
The company attributes the restriction to the high-performance hardware necessary to run sophisticated AI models directly on the device. This move effectively renders current high-end smartphones obsolete for these specific features.
Industry analysts view the strategy as a catalyst for a significant smartphone upgrade cycle. The announcement comes one day before the Google I/O developer conference begins on May 19, 2026.