Samsung Moves Toward Perplexity AI as New Default Assistant on Galaxy Phones

Samsung Electronics is close to finalizing a landmark partnership with Perplexity AI, a move that could reshape the artificial intelligence landscape on its flagship Galaxy smartphones. According to multiple reports, the South Korean tech giant is in advanced talks to invest in Perplexity and integrate its advanced search and assistant features as the default option on upcoming devices, particularly the Galaxy S26 series expected in early 2026.

The deal would see Samsung preload Perplexity’s app and assistant on new Galaxy phones, embed its search technology into the Samsung Internet browser, and potentially upgrade the Bixby virtual assistant with Perplexity’s AI capabilities. This integration is set to be announced as early as this year, with users likely to experience the new features firsthand when the Galaxy S26 lineup launches.

By partnering with Perplexity, Samsung aims to reduce its reliance on Google’s Gemini AI, which currently powers many of its devices’ smart features. Google has long paid Samsung significant sums to secure default placement for its assistant, but the new arrangement could shift the balance of power in the Android ecosystem. The collaboration also follows Perplexity’s recent partnership with Motorola, where its AI assistant is preinstalled on new devices—though not as prominently as the planned Samsung integration.

Samsung’s investment in Perplexity is expected to be one of the largest in the startup’s latest funding round, which targets $500 million at a $14 billion valuation. The deal could help Samsung diversify its AI offerings and create unique user experiences, much like Apple’s strategy of working with multiple AI developers.

While the specific details are still being negotiated and could change, the partnership signals Samsung’s ambition to offer users a broader choice of AI assistants and to challenge Google’s dominance in mobile AI services. For Perplexity, this would mark its most significant mobile partnership yet, further boosting its profile in the competitive AI landscape.