Samsung Expands Galaxy AI With Perplexity Ahead Of S26 Release
Samsung is broadening Galaxy AI beyond a single partner as it integrates Perplexity into its upcoming S26 lineup.
Samsung has confirmed that Perplexity will join Galaxy AI as an additional AI agent on the upcoming Galaxy S26 series.
The integration expands Samsung’s artificial intelligence ecosystem beyond its existing partnerships and signals a broader shift in how the company envisions AI operating at the system level. Further announcements are expected during Samsung’s Unpacked event on Feb. 25.
A Strategic Shift Toward Multiple AI Agents
According to The Verge, Samsung’s decision to integrate Perplexity reflects a deliberate move toward what it calls a multi-agent ecosystem. Rather than positioning a single assistant at the center of the smartphone experience, Samsung is enabling multiple AI agents to operate within Galaxy AI.
Users of the Galaxy S26 will be able to summon Perplexity by saying “Hey Plex,” placing it alongside existing assistants such as Bixby and Google’s Gemini. The report emphasizes Samsung’s belief that users may prefer different AI systems depending on the task.
By opening the operating system to additional agents, Samsung is aiming to differentiate its devices from competitors like Apple and Google, where AI experiences remain more centralized. The approach signals a platform-level strategy rather than a feature-level addition.
S26 Features, User Trends, and Rollout Plans
PCMag reports that Perplexity’s integration will debut on the Galaxy S26 series and can be activated either by voice command or by holding the side button. Samsung indicated that the assistant will support functions across core apps and selected third-party services.
The company cited internal data showing that eight out of ten users prefer access to more than two AI agents on their smartphones. Samsung framed the expansion as a response to evolving usage patterns.
In addition, Samsung is upgrading Bixby under One UI 8.5, enabling it to adjust device settings and retrieve web information. The Galaxy S26 will also include a privacy display filter and new AI image editing tools, per reports. More specifics about supported devices and experiences are expected at the Feb. 25 Unpacked event.
Why This Addition Matters
Samsung introduced Galaxy AI with the Galaxy S24 series in 2024 in close collaboration with Google. Adding Perplexity marks a shift toward a broader partnership model. Instead of deepening reliance on a single AI provider, Samsung appears to be building a flexible framework that accommodates multiple agents.
If adopted widely, this structure could reshape how AI operates on smartphones, encouraging a modular approach where users select voice assistants based on preference and task. The move also places competitive pressure on other manufacturers to reconsider how tightly AI services are integrated within their ecosystems.
What Comes Next for Galaxy AI
Samsung’s Feb. 25 Unpacked event is expected to clarify supported devices, additional AI integrations, and rollout timelines for the Galaxy S26 series. The presentation may also reveal how deeply Perplexity will integrate into system-level functions.
As AI becomes central to smartphone interaction, Samsung’s multi-agent direction could shape the next phase of competition in premium mobile devices.
