Samsung Electronics announced today that it is bringing Google Photos to its 2026 AI TV lineup, marking the end of years of cumbersome workarounds for families wanting to view their personal photos on the big screen. The move marks the first time Google’s photo service will exist as a native experience on a television, bypassing the need for phone-to-TV casting.
For most users, the television has long been a place for professional movies and streaming. By adding Google Photos directly into the TV's software, Samsung aims to turn the living room’s largest display into a personal gallery for family memories.
A Phased Launch for 2026
The new features will roll out in stages. Starting in March 2026, Samsung will have a six-month period of exclusivity for the "Memories" feature. This tool organizes photos into stories based on people, places, and important dates, much like the experience on a smartphone.
The service will be available on the 2026 Crystal UHD U8000 series and higher. While 2026 models will have the features out of the box, Samsung also plans to update select older models through software updates later that year.
New Features Coming This Year
Feature | Launch Date | What It Does |
Memories | March 2026 | Shows curated photo stories of people and places. |
Create with AI | Late 2026 | Uses Google’s "Nano Banana" AI to turn photos into art or short videos. |
Personalized Results | Late 2026 | Group photos into slideshows by topics like "hiking" or "Paris". |
Creative Tools Powered by AI
Later in 2026, the partnership will expand to include "Create with AI." This suite of tools uses Google DeepMind’s latest image model, known as Nano Banana. Users will be able to "Remix" their photos, changing the art style or transforming a still image into a short, three-to-five second video clip.
These tools are designed to work naturally with Samsung’s Vision AI Companion, allowing photos to appear as background art on the TV’s "Daily Board" or ambient modes throughout the day.
Keeping Your Photos Private
Putting a personal photo library on a shared family TV raises obvious privacy concerns. Samsung is using its Knox security platform to ensure that your private albums aren't visible to everyone who walks into the room.
The system will require users to authenticate themselves before showing their personal libraries. Additionally, users can choose specific albums for the TV’s background mode rather than showing their entire camera roll, and sensitive content like "Locked Folders" will remain hidden.
“Samsung TVs have always brought people together,” said Kevin Lee, Executive Vice President at Samsung Electronics. He added that the goal is to help users "rediscover and relive cherished moments" from the comfort of their couch.
As televisions become smarter, the focus is shifting from simply watching content to creating a device that feels like a part of the family home. By 2026, the biggest screen in the house may finally become its most personal one.