According to the latest report from Bloomberg, Samsung is in talks with Perplexity, an AI search service provider, regarding a major cooperation that could revolutionize the AI experience of the Galaxy S26 series and challenge the current mobile AI landscape dominated by Google.
From Gemini to Perplexity: Samsung's AI Shift
Samsung was previously an early supporter of Google's Gemini AI technology, which largely replaced Samsung's own Bixby assistant. However, the new cooperation shows that Samsung is seeking a more diversified AI strategy. Unlike traditional chatbots, Perplexity focuses on AI search services, with its biggest feature being the ability to cite web information sources when providing answers, offering a more reliable search experience.
According to the terms of the agreement, Samsung plans to deeply integrate Perplexity into the core functions of the Galaxy S26, including the web browser and Bixby assistant. More importantly, Perplexity may become the default AI assistant for Galaxy S26. Considering most users' habit of never changing default settings, this will be a huge breakthrough for Perplexity.
The New Opportunity After Google's Antitrust Case
This cooperation comes against the backdrop of Google facing antitrust pressure. During the trial of the Google search antitrust case, Perplexity CEO Dmitry Shevelenko testified that Google had prevented Motorola from using Perplexity in its 2024 model phones. However, the company eventually found a place in Motorola's 2025 Razr phone.
After losing the antitrust case, Google was forced to cancel its exclusive advertising agreements and adopt a more relaxed cooperation policy. This opened the door for other AI service providers to enter the mobile device market. Samsung's cooperation with Perplexity is precisely under this background.
Motorola Leads the Way, but Samsung's Cooperation is Deeper
Motorola has already used Perplexity's search function in its Moto AI system, but Samsung's cooperation will be more comprehensive. It is reported that both sides have met in South Korea and reached an agreement on the basic framework, but the agreement has not been finalized. The two companies also discussed deeper integration of AI into the operating system and designing smart agent systems integrated with multiple AI providers.
The Hidden Concerns of Excessive AI Competition in Mobile Devices
With Google relaxing its control over mobile partners, more AI features have appeared on mobile phones. Motorola's new Razr phone integrates AI functions from multiple companies such as Meta, Microsoft, Perplexity, and Google.
However, this "AI stacking" strategy may lead to user experience confusion. As seen in the 2025 Razr, having too many AI agents active simultaneously did not make the device smarter, but instead increased complexity and conflicts.
The industry is concerned that Samsung may also fall into the trap of adding redundant AI functions to the Galaxy S26. In the competition to differentiate themselves through AI, how to balance the richness of functions with the simplicity of user experience will be a common challenge faced by all smartphone manufacturers.
Samsung's cooperation with Perplexity represents a new phase in the competition of mobile AI, but ultimately whether it succeeds or not will depend on whether it can provide truly valuable and easy-to-use AI experiences for users.