The upcoming phase of AI is set to deliver us enhanced personal AI assistant experiences unprecedented in prior times. The signs are already evident, and we are merely awaiting implementation. Google has introduced Gemini Live, alongside numerous Project Astra features currently under development. Additionally, there’s an upgraded Siri experience within Apple Intelligence, which Apple postponed, yet it remains on the horizon.
OpenAI is crafting its own ChatGPT super-assistant, anticipated to launch on the dedicated ChatGPT io hardware and mobile platforms. These innovations won’t be the sole personal AI offerings available, as other AI companies will strive to present comparable companions.
Samsung is among them, boasting a robust suite of AI functionalities for mobile devices. Named Galaxy AI, it combines Samsung’s proprietary AI technology with various partnerships established by the Korean conglomerate. Google is a significant partner, as Galaxy devices come equipped with numerous Google AI capabilities, including Circle to Search and Gemini Live.
While Samsung lacks its dedicated personal AI assistant, there have been past indications of plans to create such experiences for Bixby. It appears Samsung’s extensive collaboration with Google and its internal AI development ambitions are not the only avenues the company is exploring. Reports suggest that Samsung is seeking to finalize a substantial deal with Perplexity, potentially positioning the latter as the default AI assistant on upcoming Galaxy devices, starting with the Galaxy S26 series debuting next January.
What is Perplexity?
As reported by Bloomberg, Samsung and Perplexity are close to establishing a comprehensive agreement to place Perplexity prominently on its Galaxy AI devices. If you’ve engaged with AI products in recent years, you’ve likely encountered Perplexity at least once. This app provides users with a valuable alternative to Google Search by delivering AI-generated responses to inquiries.
Perplexity collaborates with various AI firms for certain features, such as OpenAI and Anthropic. However, its offerings do not fully align with Google’s Gemini capabilities, at least for the time being. Future improvements are possible for Perplexity, particularly with Samsung’s backing. Reports indicate that Samsung plans to invest $500 million in the startup, valuing it at $14 billion.
Before Bixby and its Perplexity-enhanced iteration can rival the capabilities of Gemini Live on Android devices, users of Galaxy AI may initially access more basic features, such as the Perplexity app on models like the Galaxy S26 series. Additionally, Perplexity’s search functionalities may be integrated into Samsung’s web browser.
Some of these early integrations of Perplexity could be unveiled as soon as the latter half of 2025. Samsung is set to launch its foldable devices later this year, with Perplexity anticipated to become the standard AI assistant on Samsung phones, starting with the Galaxy S26 series next year.
Samsung would not be the first to incorporate Perplexity features into its devices; Motorola has already done so with certain models. The report also highlights that Apple has considered employing Perplexity as a substitute for Google Search. One avenue may involve integrating Perplexity into Siri, akin to Apple’s approach with ChatGPT. On a related note, Gemini is also expected to be accessible via Siri next year.
Why not continue with Gemini Live?
While ChatGPT is my preferred AI chatbot, I appreciate Google’s achievements with Gemini thus far. The demonstrations of Gemini Live (Project Astra) at I/O 2025 were impressive, showcasing the potential of AI-powered assistants on mobile devices in the near future.
It’s worth noting that Google and Samsung share a significant partnership, collaborating on wearables and heavily relying on each other for the Android XR platform. Google developed the software experience, while Samsung is responsible for providing some of the hardware, including the only Vision Pro competitor driven by Android.
You might expect that Samsung would fully support Gemini Live, at least until Bixby can provide comparable features. I believe Gemini might offer a more favorable experience than Perplexity, and many Android users might prefer it over alternative options.
Samsung might be inclined to diminish its dependence on Google software, especially in an environment where it risks losing existing agreements with Google regarding default online search. It’s important to remember that Google maintains a dominant position in online search, which it must consider moving forward. Some of its arrangements with Apple and Samsung might come to an end.
There remains significant uncertainty regarding the Samsung-Perplexity partnership since neither has officially confirmed it. Nevertheless, there is a reason for caution concerning Perplexity. The AI company ultimately intends to monitor user activity online to enhance results and subsequently monetize that data. That’s certainly not the kind of personal AI experience I would select for my devices. However, any surveillance by Perplexity within its applications may not directly impact Samsung’s Perplexity integrations.
Google also engages in extensive user tracking, but at least we understand what we’re signing up for.
