Samsung may be preparing to shake up the Android ecosystem with a bold new move that could signal a shift away from its long-standing reliance on Google. According to a report by Bloomberg, the South Korean tech giant is in talks with fast-rising AI startup Perplexity, with plans to integrate its services into future Galaxy devices, starting with the anticipated Galaxy S26 series.
The potential deal would see Perplexity’s AI-powered assistant and app preinstalled on Samsung smartphones, while its real-time search technology could be embedded into Samsung’s Internet Browser. Notably, the integration might also extend to Bixby, Samsung’s in-house voice assistant, breathing new life into a feature that has struggled to keep pace in the generative AI era.
The first real threat to Google Search. PHOTO/ COURTESY: Perplexity
Perplexity, while lesser known than Google or Microsoft Copilot, has quickly gained attention for its transparent, source-backed responses, complex query handling, and conversational capabilities. Already available on Android and iOS, it’s positioning itself as a smarter and more open alternative to traditional search engines.
Samsung’s move isn’t entirely surprising. In 2023, the company reportedly considered replacing Google Search with Microsoft’s Bing, a decision that allegedly rattled Google. Though that plan never materialized, the incident highlighted Samsung’s growing interest in diversifying its AI partnerships.
If the Perplexity partnership goes forward, Samsung may designate it as the default assistant on the Galaxy S26, though it remains unclear whether it would replace or simply coexist with Google Assistant and Bixby. This approach reflects lessons learned from Motorola, which recently launched the Razr 2025 series with four AI assistants, Google Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, Moto AI, and Perplexity, preinstalled. While Motorola emphasized user choice, the result was a crowded, often confusing AI experience.
The Motorola Razr (2025) series are the first phones with Perplexity’s AI app preinstalled. PHOTO/COURTESY: Motorola
Samsung, known for a more streamlined user interface, is likely to avoid such clutter. However, if Perplexity becomes central to the Galaxy software experience, Samsung will need to clearly articulate its role and advantages to users.
The potential deal also underscores the growing pressure on Google, which is developing new AI features to stay ahead, including smarter Search capabilities and interactive tools announced at the recent I/O 2025 conference.
Google’s new AI Ultra plan that was announced during Google I/O 2025. PHOTO/COURTESY: Google
While no formal announcement has been made, Samsung’s reported exploration of a partnership with Perplexity could mark a pivotal moment in the company’s AI strategy, and perhaps the beginning of a gradual break from Google’s dominance on Android.
Written By Rodney Mbua
