Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNET
Samsung has been offering its mobile customers a robust selection of Galaxy AI features via integration with Google Gemini. A deal with Perplexity AI may soon expand the AI features on Samsung devices.
Perplexity in Samsung devices
On Sunday, Bloomberg published a report informed by persons close to the matter about a wide-ranging deal between Samsung and AI startup Perplexity AI, which would preload Perplexity’s app and assistant on future Samsung devices. Perplexity’s AI search engine would also be plugged into the Samsung web browser, giving users easy access to AI-powered browsing.
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Samsung reportedly plans to announce the partnership this year, and users may see the Perplexity integration as soon as the Galaxy S26 lineup, which is expected to launch at Samsung’s winter Unpacked event in early 2026, where the goal is for Perplexity to be the default AI assistant. Other potential outcomes of the partnership might include building an AI-infused operating system and agentic AI apps, according to the report.
Until now, Samsung has largely relied on Google’s AI developments — including Gemini assistant and the Circle to Search feature — to power Samsung’s own suite of AI features. This partnership could mean less reliance on Google, as Samsung works with Perplexity to build new and unique experiences on its mobile devices.
Perplexity is in high demand
Perplexity has a similar partnership with Motorola, which preinstalled the apps on the Motorola Razr Ultra with a subscription included. In this integration, Perplexity was not the default assistant, and the integration was limited to the preloaded apps. According to the Bloomberg report, Samsung seems to be taking a different approach, aiming to build an integration that is more native to the devices.
With Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) only a week away, much conversation has escalated reagrding its Apple Intelligence features, including the possibility of a future partnership with Perplexity.
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Since Apple Intelligence was launched at last year’s WWDC, its rollout has been limited to more superficial tasks, such as Genmoji, Writing tools, and Photo clean-up. While these features are helpful, users were hoping that more robust features, such as the Siri upgrade, would be released soon.
However, a Siri upgrade has been repeatedly delayed, with Apple stating that it is taking “longer than anticipated” to develop. Given these challenges, it might make sense for the company to pivot from building its own model to tapping a model such as Perplexity that’s already successfully assisting users.
Perplexity AI is a start-up founded in August 2022 as an AI-first search engine. It has since seen great success, growing to over 15 million active monthly users and a $14 billion valuation.
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To try Perplexity AI, you don’t have to wait for it to get preloaded to one of your devices. Rather, you can try it for free at Perplexity’s website or download the free app on iOS and Android.
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