Samsung is reportedly gearing up to shake things up in its AI strategy by bringing Perplexity AI front and center on its Galaxy phones and beyond. This could mark a major shift away from Google’s Gemini assistant, potentially starting as soon as the Galaxy S26 launch in 2026.
Samsung’s move might just rewrite the rules of smartphone AI partnerships, signaling a fresh start in the fiercely competitive AI landscape.
Perplexity AI Taking Over Samsung’s AI Landscape?
Word on the street is Samsung is in talks with Perplexity AI, a U.S.-based startup, to preload its AI assistant on future Galaxy devices. This isn’t just about slapping an app on a phone; it’s about deeply integrating Perplexity’s AI across the board — think Samsung’s browser, Bixby, and maybe even the core operating system.
If things go as planned, the rollout could start as early as later this year, with a bigger splash expected alongside the Galaxy S26 in 2026. But don’t get too excited yet — the deal is still evolving and nothing’s set in stone.
Samsung NEXT, the company’s investment wing, already chipped in funding for Perplexity in 2024, and this upcoming partnership might see even bigger financial backing. For Perplexity, this would be their biggest mobile collaboration so far, adding to their work with Motorola’s Razr 60 series.
The tech world’s watching closely. After all, Samsung relying less on Google’s Gemini AI would be a big deal, especially since the two have been tight partners powering Galaxy AI features.
What This Means for Google’s Gemini on Galaxy Phones
So, what happens to Google’s Gemini if Perplexity comes onboard? Well, it probably won’t disappear overnight. Instead, Gemini could become the backup AI assistant, playing second fiddle to Perplexity.
That’s huge because Samsung and Google have had a close AI partnership for years. Google’s Gemini powers many AI-driven features in Samsung’s Galaxy AI suite. A shift like this could ruffle some feathers in Mountain View.
Meanwhile, Google’s got its own plans for Gemini on iPhones, aiming to boost Siri with it. So, while Samsung might be cutting back on Gemini, Google is still betting big on Gemini’s future in other ecosystems.
More Than Just Another AI Assistant
The Samsung-Perplexity collaboration could go beyond just switching assistants. Rumor has it, they’re talking about building a new AI-powered operating system. Imagine an OS designed with Perplexity’s AI at its heart — pretty wild, right?
There’s also chatter about a new app that would act as a central hub for managing various AI agents, including Perplexity’s. This could mean Samsung phones might soon come with a dedicated space for all your AI needs, making it easier than ever to get answers, control smart devices, and do who-knows-what else.
If this pans out, Samsung might be aiming to make AI a central pillar of their user experience — not just an add-on.
Industry Buzz and Apple’s Interest
Samsung isn’t the only giant interested in Perplexity. Apple, famously secretive, has been eyeing Perplexity’s search tech too. Eddy Cue, Apple’s services chief, mentioned in court that they’re impressed by Perplexity and exploring ways to use it as a Google or ChatGPT alternative for Siri.
What happens if Samsung locks in this partnership? Could it complicate Apple’s plans or even spark a quiet AI arms race between the two tech titans? Only time will tell.
Perplexity’s rise also highlights a bigger trend: startups shaking up the AI assistant game. No longer is it just about Google or Microsoft — smaller players with clever tech are snapping at the heels of the big guys.
What Users Can Expect from This Shift
Samsung fans might wonder what this means for their daily phone use. Here’s the gist:
-
Faster, smarter AI responses thanks to Perplexity’s powerful language models.
-
Better integration across apps like browser and voice assistant.
-
More personalized AI interactions that could feel less robotic and more natural.
-
Potential new features from an AI-focused OS or the AI hub app.
But changes like this don’t come without hiccups. Transitioning from Google’s Gemini to Perplexity will take time, and some features might lag or behave differently at first. It’s a gamble Samsung seems willing to take to set itself apart.
So, will Samsung’s gamble pay off? Can Perplexity rise to the occasion and steal some thunder from Google and Apple? The AI battlefield just got a lot more interesting.
