Since the launch of Galaxy AI on Galaxy S24 series in 2024, Samsung has relied on Google Gemini to power its robust set of features. However, a recent report claims that Samsung is nearing a deal with Perplexity AI to preload its app and assistant on the Galaxy S26 series next year.
According to a Bloomberg report, Samsung is “nearing a wide-ranging deal to invest in Perplexity AI.” The South Korean tech giant is expected to be one of the biggest investors in a new round of funding for the AI company.
This deal is said to “put search technology from the artificial intelligence startup at the forefront” of Galaxy devices starting next year. Samsung is tipped to integrate Perplexity AI into its Internet Browser app as well as its forgettable Bixby virtual assistant.
The report goes on to mention that Samsung is planning to “announce the Perplexity integrations as early as this year.” The South Korean company is gearing up to launch its next-gen foldables, Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7, in July but it is unlikely for those cell phones to have built-in Perplexity AI features. The first glimpse of this new partnership could be seen on the Galaxy S26 series early next year.
A Different Approach From Motorola
Motorola recently announced Perplexity AI integration on its $1,300 Razr Ultra flip phone. However, it was limited to preloaded apps and wasn’t used as a default assistant. According to Bloomberg, Samsung’s approach could be better integrated with its Galaxy devices.
In recent years, Samsung has gradually phased out its Bixby virtual assistant in favor of Gemini. The company didn’t mention it even once at the Galaxy S25 series launch in January earlier this year. However, Perplexity AI could give new life to Bixby and decrease Samsung’s reliance on Google.
The Perplexity AI integration will also help Samsung take on Apple with a wider set of AI features. Meanwhile, the Cupertino company is still struggling to roll out a smarter Siri and certain Apple Intelligence features announced at WWDC 2024. Apple has earlier mentioned that developing a smarter Siri is taking “longer than anticipated.”
Apple Is Impressed With Perplexity
With WWDC 2025 just around the corner, it’ll be interesting to see if Apple also taps Perplexity to tackle its growing AI competition. The Cupertino tech giant has previously shown interest in working with Perplexity.
Bloomberg reports that during a recent testimony at a Google antitrust trial, Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of services, said, “We’ve been pretty impressed with what Perplexity has done, so we’ve started some discussions with them about what they’re doing.”
While a Perplexity AI integration could help Siri get better, if this Samsung deal goes through, it’ll affect Apple’s plans in one way or another. If I’m to speculate, Perplexity AI will most likely not be as deeply integrated into Apple Intelligence as it would be on future Galaxy devices.
