Your Galaxy phone is about to get a serious AI upgrade. Samsung is closing in on a deal with AI search startup Perplexity. This would see the Korean tech giant dump Google’s often sluggish Gemini assistant for something that works.
This isn’t just another tech partnership. It’s Samsung throwing down the gauntlet against Google’s stranglehold on Android.
Why Perplexity Makes Your Phone Smarter
Samsung aims to make Perplexity the default assistant on its Galaxy S26 phone. Launch date? First half of 2026. Here’s what that means for your daily phone use.
Instead of Gemini’s confused responses, you’ll get Perplexity’s quick answers with actual source citations. Think of it like having a research assistant who shows their work. No more wondering where the AI got its info.
When you ask about restaurant reviews or tech specs, Perplexity pulls from real websites. Then it tells you exactly where it found the info. Gemini often skips this step entirely.
The deal goes deeper than just swapping assistants. Samsung plans to preload Perplexity’s app on upcoming devices. They’ll also integrate its search features into the Samsung web browser. Your Samsung Internet browser could become useful for research instead of just another Chrome backup.
Samsung’s Strategic Power Play
This move screams independence from Google. Samsung isn’t alone here. Apple has considered adding Perplexity as a search option in Safari. Motorola already announced a partnership with Perplexity in April.
Samsung’s betting big. They’re becoming one of the largest investors in Perplexity’s $500 million funding round at a $9 billion valuation. That’s not pocket change for a side project.
The partnership could even fix Bixby. Samsung’s often-mocked assistant might finally get the AI boost it needs. The firms have discussed weaving Perplexity‘s tech into Bixby’s features. Finally, a reason to not immediately disable Bixby when you unbox your new Galaxy.
What Changes for Your Daily Tech Life
Your search experience gets an instant upgrade. No more generic AI responses that sound like committee-written corporate speak. You’ll get conversational answers that cite their sources.
It’s like having Wikipedia’s accuracy mixed with ChatGPT’s personality.
The announcement should come this year. But you won’t see the full integration until the Galaxy S26 launches. That timing works in Samsung’s favor. By 2026, users will be even more fed up with AI assistants that make stuff up.
This partnership means more than swapping one AI for another. It’s Samsung saying your smartphone experience shouldn’t be controlled entirely by Google’s priorities. When your phone can help you research and fact-check without sending everything through Google’s data collection machine, that’s a win.
The real test? Whether Samsung can deliver this without the usual bloatware treatment that makes you want to delete half the pre-loaded apps.
