A Bloomberg report in June revealed that the Galaxy S26 might feature a surprise AI assistant, potentially replacing Google Gemini. It now appears that Samsung and Perplexity are close to sealing a deal to integrate Perplexity’s AI capabilities into Samsung Galaxy devices, specifically through Bixby, Samsung’s virtual assistant. The report also suggests that this partnership could be officially announced early next year, likely coinciding with the Galaxy S26 launch event. If finalized, the Perplexity-powered Bixby assistant would become the default AI assistant on the new Galaxy S26 phones, taking the place of Gemini. Despite a long-standing partnership with Google, Samsung is reportedly aiming to reduce its dependence on Google’s AI tools and services.
The rumor has been supported by a well-known Samsung insider on X, @chuvn8888, who confirmed that the integration would resemble the relationship between ChatGPT and Siri, with the AI doing most of the heavy lifting. The leaker also mentioned that Samsung chose Perplexity over other AI options like Copilot, partly due to its planned investment in the company. Bloomberg reported in June that Samsung intends to be one of Perplexity’s largest investors in an upcoming funding round, contributing $500 million at a $14 billion valuation.
A new strategic direction for Samsung’s AI is emerging. At WWDC 2024, Apple announced ChatGPT integration within Siri and indicated that other AI models would be supported in the future. Although Apple’s enhanced Siri has been delayed and is expected next spring, Samsung enjoys a significant advantage with its AI features on flagship phones. Galaxy AI offers a wealth of useful capabilities on models like the Galaxy S series, primarily powered by external partners. For example, Google provides several AI enhancements for the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7, and the Gemini Live assistant is available across Android devices. Additionally, Samsung’s rumored XR smart glasses, built around Gemini, underscore the strength of the Samsung-Google partnership.
That said, Gemini and Gemini Live features will still be accessible on Samsung phones alongside the potential Perplexity integration. After all, Samsung’s devices remain Android-powered and deeply intertwined with Google’s services. Google is too vital a partner, especially with the recent rollout of Gemini 3 Pro. Samsung confirmed in July that Galaxy AI will support multiple AI assistants, including Gemini. Beyond the Perplexity deal, earlier reports indicate the Galaxy S26 will launch in February 2026 in California, with the timeline possibly extended to accommodate major Galaxy AI announcements during the event.
