Galaxy S26 Series May bring Upgraded Bixby with Perplexity Brain

Samsung’s built-in voice assistant, Bixby, has largely been sidelined in recent years. the firm itself has promoted Google Gemini as a key selling point for its Galaxy devices. However, that could change as soon as next year. Recent reports suggest that Samsung is working on a massive Bixby overhaul powered by Perplexity AI models, starting with the Galaxy S26 series in 2026.

This potential partnership suggests that Samsung is now looking to challenge Google’s AI dominance. The South Korean giant would be betting on a multi-partner strategy to achieve this.

Samsung Galaxy S26 may use Perplexity-powered Bixby AI to rival Google Gemini

The proposed integration model (reported by chunvn8888 om X/Twitter) follows a logical division of labor. Bixby will continue to manage basic tasks, such as setting reminders or alarms, relying on its existing local capabilities. On the other hand, Perplexity’s LLMs will take care of more advanced queries. For example, those requiring information retrieval, summary, or complex AI-driven responses.

This approach mirrors the strategy Apple recently adopted by partnering with ChatGPT for its Apple Intelligence features. By using an external partner for the heavy lifting of generative AI, Samsung can quickly enhance its assistant without fully ceding control to Google.

There is strong circumstantial evidence supporting the rumor. Earlier this year, Samsung offered Galaxy owners in the US a free one-year subscription to Perplexity Pro, valued at $200. This now seems like an obvious move to familiarize its user base with the service. Additionally, Samsung already released an upgraded Bixby experience on its Smart TVs. This “Vision AI” for Samsung TVs draws AI capabilities from a combination of Perplexity and Microsoft LLMs.

A strategy to reduce Google reliance

Overall, this move is about strategic autonomy. For years, Samsung has relied on Google’s services, most recently featuring Gemini AI prominently on its devices. By bringing Perplexity into the mix, Samsung can reduce its dependence on Google and create a distinct AI offering.

Still, it’s pretty unlikely that Samsung will completely abandon Gemini. The Perplexity integration suggests the company is moving toward a multifaceted approach. Basically, Samsung could bet on offering users a broader range of AI tools and capabilities than competitors. The success of this rumored “revival” with the Galaxy S26 will determine whether Bixby can finally establish itself as a relevant player in the mobile AI race.

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