Samsung may drop Google Gemini for Perplexity AI in Galaxy S26 ...
In the quiet war to define the future of AI on your smartphone, Samsung may have just pulled off a decisive flanking manoeuvre. According to a Bloomberg report that’s raised more than a few eyebrows in Silicon Valley, the South Korean tech giant is nearing a sweeping deal with American AI upstart Perplexity—a partnership that could redraw the battle lines in mobile AI.
Potential Integration with Samsung Devices
If the deal goes through (and insiders suggest it’s more a question of “when” than “if”), Samsung could soon make Perplexity’s app, assistant, and search tech a core part of its hardware experience. That means integration into Samsung’s browser, a potential reimagining of the beleaguered Bixby assistant, and, most crucially, positioning Perplexity as the default AI agent on future Galaxy phones—starting with the Galaxy S26, due in 2026.
That would be a shot across the bow for Google, which has long had a cozy relationship with Samsung. Galaxy phones come preloaded with Google’s services, including Gemini, Android’s default AI assistant. But this new tie-up suggests Samsung isn’t content to play second fiddle in the AI revolution. Not anymore.
Perplexity's Unique Approach to AI
In a world where search is no longer just about links, but answers, context, and personalisation, Perplexity has positioned itself as a fast-rising alternative to the old guard. It doesn’t just serve up a list of web results—it crafts direct responses, drawing from multiple sources in real time.
Strategic Investments by Samsung
“This is about control,” says a senior industry analyst who spoke off-record. “Samsung knows it’s always been Google’s biggest OEM. But in an AI-first world, whoever owns the assistant, owns the interface. And that means owning the customer.”
To that end, Samsung is also reportedly preparing to become one of Perplexity’s largest backers in a $500 million funding round. The startup is chasing a $14 billion valuation, with sources suggesting Samsung NEXT—Samsung’s investment arm—has already had its foot in the door.
Redefining the Role of AI Assistants
This isn’t just about widgets and apps. It’s about who gets to be the brain behind the glass. Samsung isn’t the first phone maker to cosy up to Perplexity. In April, Motorola inked a deal to bundle the startup’s AI assistant on its latest handsets, including the new Razr.
In a world where privacy, personalisation, and offline capability are becoming key differentiators, Samsung has little to lose.
The Risks and Rewards
If Samsung pulls this off, it could signal a new era where hardware makers aren’t just vessels for Android, but active players in the AI economy. But it’s a risky play. Alienating Google, even slightly, comes with consequences. Remember, Google pays Samsung billions in search revenue every year. That’s not a faucet you want turned off.
Still, the bigger picture is clear: Samsung is tired of being the middleman in someone else’s software story. And Perplexity, with its rapidly rising profile and clean-sheet approach to AI, offers a rare chance at narrative control.
Looking Ahead
As the AI wars heat up, it’s becoming less about who builds the best phone, and more about who builds the smartest assistant.
