Samsung's Bixby voice assistant gets Perplexity AI upgrade to rival Gemini on Galaxy phones
7 Sources
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Bixby is preparing for a comeback as a worthy Gemini competitor on your Galaxy phone
These upgrades allow Bixby to access real-time information from the web and offer more relevant and detailed responses. Even after years of being outclassed by other rivals, Samsung refuses to give up on its smart assistant, Bixby. Now that all smart assistants are being upgraded with AI, Samsung
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Samsung's supercharged Bixby with Perplexity AI gets an early preview
Chethan is a reporter at Android Police, focusing on the weekend news coverage for the site. He has covered tech for over a decade with multiple publications, including the likes of Times Internet, Guiding Tech, and Android Headlines, to name a few. Chethan's love for Android dates back to the
[3]
Samsung's Bixby reboot shows up early with Perplexity in tow
Samsung hasn't been particularly quiet about its coming Perplexity partnership, and now we're getting a first look at the Bixby reboot powered by the AI service. Rumors have been swirling for a while now around Samsung working with Perplexity to bolster its mostly-forgotten Bixby voice assistant.
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Bixby on Galaxy phones may soon rival Gemini with smarter answers
Samsung is testing a Perplexity-powered upgrade for its voice assistant. Google's Gemini may have sidelined Bixby on recent Galaxy smartphones, but Samsung hasn't given up on its voice assistant yet. Instead, the company appears to have partnered with Perplexity to level up Bixby's responses and
[5]
Samsung Bixby gains Perplexity AI search powers in new update
Samsung's Bixby assistant will integrate Perplexity's AI search capabilities, with an early preview emerging on social media. Speculation surrounding Bixby's future escalated earlier this year following the Galaxy S25 release, which saw increased Gemini upgrades and the removal of a Bixby feature.
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Samsung Might Have Silently Integrated Perplexity With Bixby Assistant
* Samsung appears to be testing this in Galaxy S25 handsets * The feature is said to be part of the One UI 8.5 beta update * Samsung has also released a Perplexity app for its smart TVs Samsung might have silently integrated Perplexity's artificial intelligence (AI) platform with its Bixby
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Samsung tests Perplexity AI integration for Bixby ahead of Galaxy S26 launch
It remains unclear whether the upgraded assistant will be officially announced during the Galaxy S26 launch. Samsung is reportedly gearing up to launch its next flagship smartphone lineup, the Galaxy S26 series. Alongside new hardware, the company also appears to be preparing a major upgrade for
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Samsung is reviving Bixby by integrating Perplexity AI to deliver smarter, web-powered responses. Early screenshots from One UI 8.5 beta show the assistant providing detailed weather recommendations and real-time information. The upgrade positions Bixby as a serious Gemini competitor with deeper system control on Galaxy devices.
Samsung Revives Bixby with Perplexity AI Integration
Samsung is breathing new life into its Bixby voice assistant through a partnership with Perplexity AI, marking a significant shift in the company's AI strategy. The integration, first spotted in the One UI 8.5 beta, enables Bixby to access real-time information from the web and deliver more contextual responses to complex queries
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. This move positions Samsung's AI assistant as a potential Gemini competitor, leveraging Perplexity's research-first approach that blends multiple language models for comprehensive answers.
Source: Android Police
The partnership mirrors Apple's integration of ChatGPT into Siri, allowing Samsung to enhance Bixby without developing an entirely in-house solution
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. Reports earlier this year suggested Samsung was exploring collaborations with companies like Perplexity and OpenAI to bring more AI features to Galaxy phones, and the company has now confirmed these plans are taking shape4
.Early Preview Shows Enhanced Capabilities
A screenshot shared by user @achultra on X reveals what the Perplexity-powered Bixby looks like in action
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. The revamped interface displays detailed recommendations for weather-related queries, such as suggesting users carry a jacket based on wind chill and forecasted conditions. The responses clearly show Perplexity listed as the source at the bottom, indicating the AI search engine is actively powering these smarter answers4
.This functionality is currently restricted to Samsung Bixby version 4.0.50.4 and requires devices running One UI 8.5, which is available in beta exclusively for the Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25 Plus, and Galaxy S25 Ultra
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. The integration appears to be live for beta testers in Europe, though it hasn't been widely rolled out yet4
.
Source: Gadgets 360
Strategic Advantage Over Google's Gemini
The Perplexity AI integration gives Samsung a strategic edge in the AI assistant landscape. While Google's Gemini has increasingly dominated Galaxy phones with recent upgrades, Bixby maintains greater control over system functions, allowing users to manage system apps and dig deep into settings using voice commands
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. This deeper system integration, combined with Perplexity's AI search powers, could make Bixby a more practical choice for users who want comprehensive device control alongside intelligent web-based responses.Samsung already offers Perplexity's AI search engine on its smart home appliances, including connected refrigerators with touch screens
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. The company has also provided free 12-month access to Perplexity for Galaxy users in the US, though previously restricted to using the chatbot through its standalone app1
. The One UI 8.5 update extends these capabilities directly into the Bixby assistant, paving the way for richer, more current results5
.Related Stories
Galaxy S26 Launch and Broader Rollout
Galaxy S26 owners are expected to experience the full Perplexity AI integration first when the device launches in February, with Samsung likely showcasing the upgraded assistant as a key feature
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. Following the Galaxy S26 debut, the One UI 8.5 update will roll out to older Galaxy devices, including the Galaxy S25 series, bringing the enhanced Bixby capabilities to a wider user base5
.Beyond the Perplexity integration, One UI 8.5 is expected to introduce additional features and fixes to Galaxy phones, including improvements in the camera department
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. The Bixby interface is also receiving a visual overhaul to align with current design guidelines, modernizing the assistant's appearance alongside its functional upgrades5
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Source: Digital Trends
For users who prefer alternatives, One UI continues to facilitate using Gemini or other assistants like Alexa as the primary option, while still allowing access to Bixby through a wake word
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. This flexibility ensures Galaxy phone users can choose their preferred AI assistant while benefiting from Bixby's unique system-level capabilities when needed. Samsung's detailed timeline and list of eligible devices for the One UI 8.5 update may be provided during the Galaxy S26 launch event2
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