This AI app may replace Google's Gemini on Samsung's upcoming Galaxy S26 smartphone

Samsung is in advanced talks to make Perplexity AI the default assistant on its upcoming Galaxy S26 smartphone lineup, potentially replacing Google's Gemini in a major shift for Android devices. The South Korean tech giant plans to announce the integration as early as this year, with the Galaxy S26 phones expected to launch in the first half of 2026.

The wide-ranging partnership goes beyond just replacing the default assistant. Samsung and Perplexity are discussing preloading the AI startup's app on upcoming devices, integrating Perplexity's search features into Samsung's web browser, and weaving the technology into Samsung's Bixby virtual assistant, according to Bloomberg sources familiar with the matter.

Samsung is also expected to become one of Perplexity's biggest investors in a new funding round. The AI startup is reportedly raising $500 million at a $14 billion valuation, representing significant growth from its previous valuations.


Perplexity exec says it faced restrictions from Google for its deal earlier

The Samsung deal would mark a significant victory for Perplexity after facing restrictions from Google elsewhere. Google's existing contracts with Motorola prevented the smartphone maker from setting Perplexity as the default assistant on its devices, according to testimony from Perplexity's Chief Business Officer at Google's antitrust trial. Instead, Perplexity can only be preloaded on Motorola phones without appearing on the home screen, despite both companies wanting a deeper integration.

This move would help Samsung reduce its dependence on Google's services and allow it to work with multiple AI developers, similar to Apple's diversified approach. For Perplexity, founded as an AI-powered search engine , this represents its largest mobile partnership to date and follows the more limited Motorola arrangement.

The partnership discussions intensified after recent meetings between the companies in South Korea, Bloomberg reported. The two sides have also explored building an AI-infused operating system and developing an AI agents app that could tap into various AI assistants beyond just Perplexity.

However, Samsung's potential partnership with Perplexity could complicate other relationships in the AI space. Apple has also shown interest in working with Perplexity, with discussions about using the startup as an alternative to Google Search and potentially replacing ChatGPT integration in Siri. Apple's services chief Eddy Cue recently testified that the company has been "pretty impressed" with Perplexity's capabilities.