Samsung Explores AI Diversity for Galaxy S26: OpenAI and Perplexity in Talks

Samsung Pushes for Diverse AI Agents in Galaxy Mobile Devices

Samsung Electronics Co. is in talks with the likes of OpenAI Inc. and Perplexity AI Inc. to integrate more AI services in upcoming Galaxy devices, seeking a wider range of offerings beyond Google's Gemini. South Korea's largest company aims to give customers more options on its upcoming Galaxy S26 smartphone line next year, according to Choi Won-Joon, president and chief operating officer of its mobile division. Samsung's current lineup features Alphabet Inc.'s AI model, like much of the rest of the field of Android devices.

Samsung has its eye on Perplexity and OpenAI as it plans to expand beyond Gemini

The aim is to give Galaxy S26 users more choice over what AI model they use. Samsung has long been partnering with Google to bring Gemini to its Galaxy phones. While this partnership has served Samsung well, a new report suggests the company doesn't want to be tied to only one outside AI model. The firm is said to be in talks with some of Google's biggest rivals in the AI space. In a very Apple-like move, Samsung is looking to diversify its outside AI agent portfolio. According to Bloomberg, the Korean tech giant has its eyes set on bringing OpenAI and Perplexity into the fold. Choi Won-Joon, president and COO of Samsung's mobile division, told the outlet that the company is aiming to give its customers more choices over what AI they use on the Galaxy S26. "We are talking to multiple vendors," said Choi. "As long as these AI agents are competitive and can provide the best user experiences, we are open to any AI agent out there." Back in June, it was reported that Samsung was close to inking a deal with Perplexity. The deal would see Perplexity's services and technologies preloaded onto Samsung phones. Additionally, it's said that Perplexity's search features could be integrated into the Samsung Internet Browser. We may even see Perplexity's technology integrated into the Bixby assistant. In that report, it was said that Samsung may have been planning to make Perplexity's assistant the default option. The two companies were also reportedly in talks of developing an "AI-infused" operating system and an "AI agents" app. This app would be used to support Perplexity and other AI assistants.

Samsung's Galaxy S26 could bring another major AI chatbot to the mix

I tried the browser everyone's talking about, and it left Chrome in the dust Although Google Gemini currently has the benefit of being deeply integrated into multiple high-profile Android devices, including Samsung Galaxy flagships, we've known for a while that the South Korean electronics juggernaut is also looking at other options. Specifically, it was reported at the time that Samsung was in discussions with Perplexity AI to incorporate their core services into future Galaxy flagships, such as the Galaxy S26. Related I replaced Google Search with Perplexity for a week: Here's what I liked and what I didn't Plagiarized results and outdated citations Posts 2 Now, a top Samsung official has confirmed those plans, while also adding another AI company to the mix. The president and chief operating officer of Samsung's MX division, Choi Won-Joon, said that the company is "talking to multiple vendors," including OpenAI's ChatGPT and Perplexity (via Bloomberg). "As long as these AI agents are competitive and can provide the best user experiences, we are open to any AI agent out there," Choi was quoted as saying. While this doesn't confirm whether Samsung has made a definitive decision, Bloomberg's reporting in June suggested that the manufacturer was close to inking a deal with Perplexity. But this wasn't the first we heard about their association. Samsung and Perplexity have been in talks for a while now An April report shed light on the potential introduction of Perplexity on Samsung phones, though talks between the two companies were in their early stages at the time. The new mention of OpenAI indicates that Samsung may have plans to integrate more than one AI assistant/agent. If any of this pans out, it will be interesting to see where Bixby AI stands, as it only recently underwent an overhaul featuring a custom large language model (LLM). We expect to hear more about these future integrations with Samsung Galaxy flagships as we approach the launch of the Galaxy S26 series. Bloomberg's reporting also reveals how Samsung is still weighing its options in the processor department, with its own Exynos 2600 and the next-gen flagship Qualcomm chip believed to be in contention. We've come across reports dating back a few months that mention a comeback of the Exynos chip with the Galaxy S26 series, at least in some regions. With the Galaxy Z Flip 7 being the first Exynos-based Galaxy foldable to land in the US, we won't be particularly surprised if that trend continues in 2026. Related Google Gemini gets smarter with Samsung's latest foldables Gemini Live comes to the Z Flip 7's cover screen Posts

Samsung on Apple's upcoming foldable and AI assistants beyond Gemini with Galaxy S26 [Video]

In a new interview, Samsung's Won-Joon Choi has commented on how Samsung will stay ahead when Apple releases its first foldable, as well as discussing... Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7 are big improvements in the face of stiff competition from China, but they also come as the first foldable from Apple is on the horizon. In a new interview with Bloomberg, Samsung's mobile President Won-Joon Choi was asked how Samsung will "keep its edge" following Apple's debut, saying (edited for clarity): We've been doing this for many years and we have accumulated a lot of technologies and know-how. And, having another global technology company this category is good for the industry and is going to be great for the consumers. The interview went on to ask Choi about the Galaxy Z Flip 7 being the company's first foldable with an Exynos chip. He said that Samsung has a "rigorous process" when picking a chipset and that the company looks at performance, power consumption, and other "reasonable aspects of the consumer requirements." When asked if Samsung will use Exynos 2600 in next year's Flip, he said that Samsung will "consider every option." Following that, Choi is asked about the potential 25% tariff that Galaxy phones could be looking at for devices not made in the United States. He explains that Samsung has multiple "manufacturing facilities in key regions around the world" which make it possible for the company to have "a lot of flexibility" in responding to trade policies. Speaking directly to this US tariff, though, Choi says there "are a lot of uncertainties" but that Samsung has been working to ensure that products headed for the US market can be manufactured in "multiple locations." Moving on to AI - of course - Choi teases that Samsung wants to bring more AI to its devices beyond just Gemini. He explains: ...Gemini will not be the only AI assistant we're going to integrate with Galaxy. We're going to integrate multiple AI assistants and AI agents with this framework that we've built. It could be anything, as long as these AI agents are competitive, and AI agents can provide the best user experience, we are open to any ideas. We are talking to multiple vendors. I think at the time of [Galaxy] S26 you're going to see more. In addition to Gemini, you're going to see more at the time of [Galaxy] S26. While nothing specific was said, Perplexity and ChatGPT were both mentioned by the interviewer with Choi reiterating that "anyone" is open. But, with a tease that we'll hear more alongside the Galaxy S26 launch next year, it seems all but certain that Samsung has some specific partners in mind. Choi concludes the interview by discussing how Samsung views the smartphone as the "central hub" for AI in the future.

Galaxy S26 tipped for major AI upgrade -- here's what Samsung exec just revealed

The Galaxy S26 series is the next big release on Samsung's calendar, now that the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 have arrived. And the latest report suggests that Samsung could be expanding its AI reach -- and offer support for even more chatbots. This is not just some "maybe it'll happen" rumor. It comes from Choi Won-Joon, the president and COO of Samsung's mobile division. While speaking to Bloomberg, Choi confirmed that Samsung is "talking to multiple vendors" about integrating their AI services on the Galaxy S26. This means that users may not be limited to using Bixby and Gemini for much longer. Choi told Bloomberg that "As long as these AI agents are competitive and can provide the best user experiences, we are open to any AI agent out there." Bloomberg reports that Samsung is "nearing a deal" with Perplexity, which would see Samsung invest in the company while simultaneously integrating its app and assistant on Galaxy phones. Obviously this is good news for Galaxy phone owners. The big benefit is that users would have more AI options. Plus, by not limiting itself to a specific AI chatbot or service, it allows Samsung to offer things that it wouldn't otherwise offer. It's similar to Apple partnering with ChatGPT to fill the areas Siri can't handle, which results in a better overall AI experience for users. Unfortunately, there's no guarantee that these deals will pan out. So keep it locked to Tom's Guide for more Galaxy S26 rumors and leaks.

The Samsung Galaxy S26 could come with multiple AI assistants - while the Ultra model is tipped for a major camera upgrade

Now that we've seen the official unveiling of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Galaxy Z Flip 7, we can turn our attention to the next flagship phone series we're expecting to see from Samsung; namely the Galaxy S26 handsets. There are a couple of bits of news to report: first up, Samsung mobile executive Choi Won-Joon has told Bloomberg (via SamMobile) that we could see more AI assistants on the Galaxy S26, in addition to Bixby and Google Gemini. Apparently Samsung is interested in allowing chatbots such as Perplexity and ChatGPT to come preinstalled in the Galaxy S26 and future phones, though at this stage it seems no final decision has been taken about any integrations. "We are talking to multiple vendors," says Choi. "As long as these AI agents are competitive and can provide the best user experiences, we are open to any AI agent out there." Samsung might also be interested in investing in Perplexity, according to Bloomberg. The second tidbit is less official and concerns the cameras on the Galaxy S26 Ultra model. According to well-known tipster @UniverseIce, the most expensive of the 2026 models is going to come with a significant camera quality boost. Apparently the phone will get an improved version of the 200MP ISOCELL HP2 sensor fitted inside the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. Crucially, the sensor will let more light in, which should mean better photos (especially in dark conditions). The tipster goes on to say that this will be the most significant upgrade for the Ultra camera since the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra back in 2020, so we're looking forward to seeing how this camera actually performs in real world scenarios. Leaks and rumors around the Galaxy S26 series are starting to mount up, and there has been talk that we could get a change in which models are offered. If Samsung sticks to its usual schedule, we'll see these handsets in January.

More AI is coming to Samsung phones, but from unexpected places

Samsung was one of the first smartphone makers to go all-in with AI, thanks to the Galaxy AI stack. The Galaxy flagships didn't only ship the usual Gemini features, but also delivered their own unique AI experiences with tools like Now Bar, Now Brief, and Interpreter, among others. The company has no plans of stopping there. On the contrary, Samsung is eyeing deals with more AI companies to serve their AI tools atop Galaxy smartphones -- at the cost of stealing some spotlight away from Google's Gemini. According to a report by Bloomberg, Perplexity and ChatGPT-maker OpenAI are two of those potential candidates. Why does this matter? "We are talking to multiple vendors. As long as these AI agents are competitive and can provide the best user experiences, we are open to any AI agent out there," Won-joon Choi, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Samsung's MX Business, was quoted as saying. The shift is pretty interesting and something that is going to worry Google for multiple reasons. Recommended Videos As part of the Justice Department's antitrust case, it was reported that Google was paying an "enormous" sum to Samsung. The fee was paid as a revenue share for onboarding paid subscribers, and also on a monthly basis for each Galaxy device that came pre-installed with the Gemini app. Interestingly, Samsung was also approached by other companies with similar offers, a list that includes names such as Meta, Microsoft, and OpenAI. How soon Samsung phones integrate AI products from other companies remains to be seen, but it would certainly be a big blow to Google. Over the past few years, Google executives have appeared on the launch stage for flagship Samsung devices. Moreover, as recently as its I/O event in May, Google heavily showcased Samsung's phones to reveal its upcoming Android and AI features. Samsung's status as the biggest name in the smartphone world is definitely a key part of the equation here. What's next for Google and Gemini? Google's Pixel phones are the best showcase of what AI (read: Gemini) can accomplish on a phone. But Google's smartphones are nowhere near as popular in terms of market reception and sales volumes are Samsung's Galaxy phones. That's why finding a prominent place for Gemini on Galaxy phones was such a big deal. But the challenge has already started right in the Android ecosystem. Perplexity, which offers a product that aims to compete with Google Search and Gemini, inked a deal with Nothing last year to offer its Pro subscription for free. Earlier this year, another deal with Motorola ensured that Perplexity would come pre-installed on Motorola devices. The company has also revealed that its AI-focused browser called Comet will soon land on Apple and Android smartphones. Perplexity was also rumored to be on Apple's potential list of partners as the company struggles to push Siri in the same league as ChatGPT and Gemini. As a stopgap solution, Apple inked a deal with OpenAI that allows Siri to seamlessly work with ChatGPT for advanced queries. With Samsung also exploring rival AI products for Galaxy smartphones, it would be interesting to see how aggressive Google gets at pushing Gemini on mobile devices.

Galaxy S26 could support multiple AI assistants, not just Google Gemini - Phandroid

Samsung might be done playing favorites with AI. While the current Galaxy S25 series leans on Google's Gemini, the upcoming Galaxy S26 could expand beyond that. According to a new interview, Samsung wants to give users more choice when it comes to AI assistants. Speaking to Bloomberg, Samsung Mobile President Choi Won-Joon confirmed that the company is in talks with "multiple vendors" about integrating their AI tools. This means the Galaxy S26 might not only include Gemini, but also other options like OpenAI's ChatGPT or Perplexity. Choi said, "As long as these AI agents are competitive and can provide the best user experiences, we are open to any AI agent out there." The idea is similar to what Apple is doing with Apple Intelligence. Siri handles some things, but more advanced tasks get handed off to ChatGPT. Rumors even suggest Apple might add Gemini support, and possibly Perplexity, in future updates. Samsung seems to be taking a similar path, but more openly. Samsung's phones already use an internal AI framework. This allows different AI assistants to plug in without clashing with each other. That could let users choose from Bixby, Gemini, ChatGPT, or other partners depending on the task. Nothing is set in stone yet, though. These partnerships depend on deals going through before the S26 launches. With the Galaxy S26 still months away, plenty could change. But if Samsung pulls this off, the S26 might offer the most flexible AI experience we've seen on a smartphone.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Series Could Offer These Alternatives to Google Gemini

Samsung is said to be discussing deals with OpenAI and Perplexity Samsung Galaxy S26 series of smartphones, which is expected to debut in early 2026, could be equipped with multiple AI services. A senior executive told Bloomberg News that Samsung is discussing the integration of additional AI features from other firms on its upcoming smartphones, which will work alongside Google's Gemini AI. An earlier report suggested that the company could replace Gemini as the default AI assistant on the Samsung Galaxy S26 lineup. Rival Motorola previously announced it had partnered with Microsoft, Perplexity, and Google to add new features to its Moto AI suite. During an interview with Bloomberg News, Samsung President and Mobile eXperience COO Choi Won-Joon said that Samsung wants to give customers more options with its upcoming flagship smartphoes, and is currently in talks with multiple vendors. He also added that the company is "open to any agent out there". These are said to include ChatGPT maker OpenAI, which partnered with Apple to offer AI features on recent iPhone models, and Perplexity. Other OEMs, such as Motorola, have partnered with Perplexity, Google, and Microsoft to add AI features to their handsets. The revelation comes a month after a report indicated that Samsung was set to ink a deal with Perplexity. At the time, it was said that Samsung was planning to add support for Perplexity's AI assistant on the successors to the Samsung Galaxy S25 series of smartphones, in place of the Gemini AI assistant. Samsung launched the Galaxy Z Fold 7, Galaxy Z Flip 7, and Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE at a launch event held earlier this month. While the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is equipped with a Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chip, the latest Galaxy Z Flip 7 handsets feature the company's in-house Exynos processors. According to the report, Samsung has yet to decide whether to equip the Samsung Galaxy S26 series with an Exynos 2600 SoC, or Qualcomm's anticipated Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 chip, which is expected to be unveiled at the chipmaker's annual launch event in September. The South Korean tech conglomerate is expected to face competition from Apple next year, with the anticipated arrival of the first foldable iPhone. Analysts have claimed that Samsung Display and other vendors could stand to gain from Apple entering the fray, as the company could be the sole supplier of "crease-free" foldable screens for the purported iPhone Fold.

Samsung In Talks With OpenAI And Perplexity AI For Galaxy S26 - Samsung Electronics Co (OTC:SSNLF)

Samsung Electronics SSNLF is actively negotiating with OpenAI and Perplexity AI to bring a broader range of AI services to its next-generation Galaxy devices. The company aims to move beyond exclusive reliance on Alphabet GOOGL Google's Gemini model. According to Choi Won-Joon, president and COO of Samsung's mobile division, the company plans to offer more AI-powered choices in its upcoming Galaxy S26 smartphone lineup, Bloomberg reported on Friday. While Samsung's current models, like many Android phones, rely heavily on Alphabet's AI, the company now seeks to diversify its offerings. Also Read: iPhone Sales Bounce Back In China, But Huawei And Xiaomi Intensify Pressure In a related development, Bloomberg News reported in June that Samsung is nearing the finalization of an investment deal with Perplexity AI. This agreement would see the startup's AI assistant and application seamlessly integrated into future Samsung devices. Trending Investment OpportunitiesAdvertisementArrivedBuy shares of homes and vacation rentals for as little as $100. Get StartedWiserAdvisorGet matched with a trusted, local financial advisor for free.Get StartedPoint.comTap into your home's equity to consolidate debt or fund a renovation.Get StartedRobinhoodMove your 401k to Robinhood and get a 3% match on deposits.Get StartedCompetition Heats Up: Foldables and Chipsets in Focus Choi also expressed support for increased competition in the foldable phone market, as Samsung anticipates Apple's AAPL long-awaited entry into the category. Apple is widely expected to unveil its inaugural foldable iPhone next year, reportedly drawing inspiration from Samsung's established Galaxy Z Fold design. Concurrently, Samsung is evaluating its application processor strategy for the Galaxy S26, weighing the adoption of Qualcomm QCOM chips against its proprietary Exynos 2600. This assessment follows Samsung's recent decision to equip the newly launched Galaxy Z Flip 7 with its Exynos chipset, marking a notable first for its foldable line. Chinese OEMs Embrace Google AI Meanwhile, Chinese smartphone manufacturers are increasingly turning to Google's AI to stay competitive against global leaders like Apple and Samsung. At MWC 2025 in Barcelona, prominent Chinese brands including Xiaomi XIACY, Honor, and Oppo showcased new AI-powered handsets featuring Google's Gemini. The phones showcased tools like AI photo erasers and virtual assistants for tasks like bookings. Nicole Peng, VP at Canalys, observed that Chinese brands' adoption of Google's AI stems from its extensive capabilities and global reach, a strategy that aligns more closely with Samsung's diversified approach rather than developing independent solutions. Peng emphasized that Google is poised to be a primary beneficiary of this growing trend. Market Dynamics: Apple Leads, Samsung Holds Strong In the first quarter, Apple commanded the global smartphone sales landscape with a 19% market share, propelled by strong demand for the iPhone 16e and robust growth in key emerging markets like India and Japan. Samsung followed closely with an 18% share, bolstered by the performance of its S25 and A-series models. Counterpoint Research reported a 3% overall market growth for the quarter, attributing the expansion to strong performance in China and other emerging regions, which offset declines in more developed markets. IDC recorded a 1.5% rise in global shipments, noting Apple's strategic stockpiling of iPhones in the U.S. in anticipation of potential tariffs from the Trump administration. Looking ahead, Counterpoint projects a market decline in 2025, largely due to demand suppression stemming from tariff-related uncertainty, particularly in the U.S. Following Apple and Samsung, Xiaomi, Vivo, and Oppo secured the subsequent top positions in market share. Read Next: Qualcomm Gains $2 Billion Boost From Samsung S25 Chipset Deal, Analyst Highlights Growth in Handsets and Beyond Photo by Sybillla via Shutterstock SSNLFSamsung Electronics Co Ltd$42.33-%Stock Score Locked: Want to See it? Benzinga Rankings give you vital metrics on any stock - anytime. Reveal Full ScoreEdge RankingsMomentumN/AGrowthN/AQualityN/AValueN/APrice TrendShortMediumLongOverviewAAPLApple Inc$214.360.28%GOOGLAlphabet Inc$192.14-0.02%QCOMQualcomm Inc$158.33-0.32%XIACYXiaomi Corp$37.05-0.16%Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs