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Samsung is on the brink of a major smart assistant update as it prepares to launch the Galaxy S26 series soon. According to recent reports, the tech giant has begun experimenting with a new version of Bixby, powered by Perplexity AI, a rival to OpenAI’s ChatGPT.
The development suggests that Samsung is looking to enhance Bixby’s utility at a time when artificial intelligence-powered assistants are becoming a selling point for the best-selling smartphones.
Leaks of the new Bixby experience began appearing last month, with new evidence suggesting it may be on its way to a global launch. Ben Samy reports a user posting on X under @achultra, sharing a screenshot of using Perplexity AI in its responses. The news was initially brought to attention by SammyGuru.
This integration might be part of the One UI 8.5 beta update released this month. Although Samsung has not issued an official statement yet, Perplexity-branded replies are a sign of internal testing.
The site has gained attention for its research-first approach to AI. Unlike traditional chatbots, Perplexity can browse the web in real time, synthesizing information from multiple large language models while producing more structured, citation-style responses.
This move follows similar action by Apple, with the recent integration of OpenAI’s ChatGPT into its Siri assistant. These shifts reflect a broader industry trend toward hybrid assistants that leverage third-party AI models rather than standalone systems.
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This is not Samsung’s first time working with Perplexity; the company has used the AI model to date in Bixby on various smart home appliances, such as smart refrigerators with large touchscreens.
This collaborative integration in smartphones might increase the scope and scale of the device’s operational limits.
An upgraded Bixby could also enable Samsung to compete more seriously with Google Gemini. Since Bixby sits deep within Samsung's core, some believe it can control system apps, settings, and device features more smoothly with voice commands.
There’s no telling yet whether Samsung will officially announce the enhanced Bixby at the Galaxy S26 launch. However, continuous testing suggests that the company is laying the foundation for an AI-powered assistant with greater capabilities.
