Samsung Galaxy S26 adds Perplexity AI agent with 'Hey Plex' wake word in multi-agent push

Turns Out Perplexity Might Be the Sleeper Feature on Samsung's Rumored Galaxy S26

Patrick's play The Cowboy is included in the Best American Short Plays 2011-12 anthology. He co-wrote and starred in the short film Baden Krunk that won the Best Wisconsin Short Film award at the Milwaukee Short Film Festival. It's be easy to assume there will be a lot of mentions of AI at today's Galaxy Unpacked event. Nearly every major phone launch over the past few years has seen announcements of new AI capabilities or partnerships between phone-makers and AI companies. News broke over the weekend that the next version of Galaxy AI, likely debuting on the rumored Galaxy S26 phones expected to be announced at today's event, would integrate Perplexity's AI agent and even support a "Hey Plex" wake word. But it seems there's more to the partnership than just giving Samsung phone owners a choice of AI agents. Since late 2023, phone-makers have been leapfrogging each other, adding new generative AI features or integrating AI agents. Nearly every new Android phone supports Google's Gemini assistant. Apple's iPhones integrate OpenAI's ChatGPT into the phone's Visual Intelligence feature, and its Siri overhaul will incorporate Google's Gemini AI models. While Perplexity has had partnerships with phone-makers such as Motorola to have its app preloaded, and it's been integrated into handsets for Deutsche Telekom, having its AI and models baked into the phones by the biggest phone-maker in the world puts the company on a much bigger stage. It marks a shift toward AI agents being just another tool people choose to use, much like a phone app. "The first step toward an agentic mobile ecosystem is the user getting to choose whatever agent they want," Dmitry Shevelenko, Perplexity's chief business officer, told CNET. "I think this is where Samsung is taking a big, big leap forward." Perplexity's Sonar API powers aspects of Samsung's Galaxy AI ecosystem. Shevelenko said that his company's engineers worked closely with Samsung's team to revamp its Bixby assistant at the framework level, getting deep system access. He noted that it's the first time a third-party AI company has achieved parity on a major mobile OS. The phones Samsung announces today will presumably support the new "Hey Plex" wake word, putting Perplexity shoulder-to-shoulder with Google's Gemini AI assistant, which is integrated into Android on Samsung devices. "What's unique is the only other company that has it is Google, right?" said Shevelenko. "It's a real paradigm shift for Samsung to be going into a multi-AI direction, where they are giving their users choice. And I think they see this as a strategic differentiator." Samsung's inclusion of Perplexity touches many of the company's own apps including Calendar, Clock, Gallery, Notes and Reminders. The benefit of structuring Perplexity's AI deeply into Samsung's software is that people can have a lighter interaction with their phones. As opposed to unlocking their device, navigating the home page, opening the app and entering a query, people will be able to press a button, say, "Hey Plex" and start their search within seconds. But the integration of Perplexity isn't limited to Bixby. Shevelenko said Samsung's browser, aptly named Internet, will include agentic browsing using Perplexity's Comet technology as well. Such a significant moment for Perplexity naturally draws parallels to Apple and its partnership with OpenAI, which has partnered with former Apple designer Jony Ive for its own hardware efforts. When I asked Shevelenko about the possibility of Perplexity making its own phone or hardware, he responded emphatically, "no." "We are laser-focused on working with all the best OEMs," he said. "Our thing we're world-class at is building accurate AI that is easy to use and delightful to use and growing that curiosity." And while we wait for Samsung to announce new phones, it will be interesting to see how Galaxy phone owners use the phone's AI agents. Soon, people could say, "Hey Google" into their Samsung devices to prompt Gemini, or "Hey Plex" to trigger a query with Perplexity. Options are usually a good thing. Samsung did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Samsung is adding Perplexity to Galaxy AI

In addition to summoning Bixby or Gemini, Galaxy S26 users will be able to call on Perplexity by saying "hey, Plex." The integration of Perplexity into Galaxy AI is just one element of the company's embrace of a "multi-agent ecosystem." Often, people will use different AI agents for different tasks, depending on where their strengths lie. So Samsung is opening up the ability to integrate different agents into the OS. Hey, Plex isn't just some transparent version of the app baked into a Galaxy phone to quickly get answers to questions. Perplexity will have access to Samsung Notes, Clock, Gallery, Reminder, and Calendar, as well as select third-party apps, though which ones specifically Samsung didn't say. Samsung seems to believe that people will increasingly use AI to interact with their phones. But, as we've learned, people can develop strong attachments to particular AIs. So the company is betting that giving people the freedom to put whatever agent they want at the heart of their phone will help differentiate them from competition like Apple and Google. Of course, Samsung's next Unpacked event is just around the corner. I'm sure we'll hear more about Galaxy AI and Samsung's vision for a multi-agent future on the 25th.

Samsung Adds Support for Perplexity in Galaxy AI, Launches on S26 Series

Samsung will introduce Perplexity as an additional AI agent for Galaxy AI features on the upcoming S26 series. When the integration rolls out, users will be able to summon Perplexity using the activation phrase "Hey Plex" or by holding down the side button. Perplexity's AI agent will work for features across Calendar, Clock, Gallery, Notes, and Reminder, as well as select third-party apps, Samsung said. Samsung introduced Galaxy AI alongside the Galaxy S24 series in 2024, and Google has been the company's main AI partner since then. Rumors of a possible tie-up with Perplexity circulated throughout 2025. The partnership has now been confirmed, but details about use cases or features remain scarce. "Additional details about supported devices and experiences will be announced soon," Samsung said, hinting at the Unpacked event scheduled for Feb. 25. The company said the expansion reflects evolving trends in AI usage. Eight out of 10 users prefer more than two AI agents on their phone, and adding Perplexity as an option allows "users to choose the experiences that best fit their needs, preferences, and routines," Samsung said. Samsung has also updated its voice assistant, Bixby, with AI features ahead of the S26 launch. With One UI 8.5, the assistant will be able to adjust device settings and fetch answers from the web. Other Galaxy S26 features confirmed by Samsung include a new privacy filter that dims the screen when viewed from a side angle and some AI image-editing tricks to change backgrounds, replace missing parts of an image, and merge multiple photos. More details about the Galaxy S26 series and Samsung's new Perplexity-powered features are expected later this week during the brand's Unpacked event. The event is set to start on Feb. 25 at 1 p.m. ET.

Samsung's S26 gives an advance look at what the Google-powered Apple Siri could do

The S26 is notable for the sheer number of AI systems packed into a single device. Samsung is melding together three separate AI engines: Google's Gemini for agentic tasks like booking rides and acting across apps, Perplexity for web-based queries, and an upgraded version of Samsung's own Bixby as the on-device assistant powered by a more capable in-house large language model. It's a multi-agent approach that reflects just how central the AI arms race has become to selling smartphones -- and how aggressively Samsung is hedging its bets across providers rather than relying on any single one. Still, the deepest of those partnerships is with Google. Samsung was the first phone maker to ship Gemini when it launched the Galaxy S24 in January 2024. It deepened the integration with the S25 a year later, making Gemini accessible with a long-press of the side button. Now with the S26, Gemini can do something it couldn't before: Take autonomous action inside third-party apps, not just Samsung's own. The relationship hasn't always been smooth as Samsung spent years pushing its own Tizen operating system and Bixby assistant in an effort to carve out independence from Google's ecosystem. But in the AI era, the two companies have locked arms more tightly than ever, even as Samsung simultaneously courts Perplexity to diversify its options. The result is that Samsung has become the single most important distribution channel for Google's consumer AI -- and one that Apple, despite its own billion-dollar Gemini deal, can't yet match.

Samsung is adding Perplexity to Galaxy AI for its upcoming S26 series

Samsung's next flagship devices will offer Perplexity as part of an expansion to support multiple AI agents in Galaxy AI. Perplexity's AI agent will work with apps including Samsung Notes, Clock, Gallery, Reminder and Calendar, according to the announcement. And, some third-party apps will support it, though Samsung hasn't yet said which. The news comes just a few days before Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked event, so we can expect to find out more about that integration and how it fits in with Samsung's revamped Bixby very soon. What we know so far is that the Perplexity agent will respond to the wake phrase, "Hey Plex" (not to be confused with the streaming service Plex). It can also be initiated by quick-access physical controls. In a statement, Samsung's Won-Joon Choi, President, COO and Head of the R&D Office for Samsung's Mobile eXperience Business, said the expansion of Galaxy AI is aimed at giving users more choice and flexibility in getting their tasks done. "Galaxy AI acts as an orchestrator, bringing together different forms of AI into a single, natural, cohesive experience," Choi said. Samsung previously announced a partnership with Perplexity last year to integrate the company's AI search engine into Samsung TVs. Perplexity has been in hot water though over alleged content scraping and copyright infringement, and was even sued in September by Merriam-Webster -- yes, the dictionary -- and Encyclopedia Britannica.

'Hey Plex' is landing on the Galaxy S26 series as Perplexity joins Galaxy AI

The company has hinted that more Galaxy devices could also get this feature. Samsung just announced that it's doubling down on agentic AI for the Galaxy S26 series with a new Perplexity integration. The company says Perplexity will be introduced as an additional AI agent on the upcoming flagship Galaxy phones, sitting alongside Samsung's existing AI experiences, including the revamped Bixby. The announcement marks a big shift in how Samsung sees Galaxy AI evolving. It's no longer just a bundle of smart AI features, but something that can coordinate multiple AI agents depending on what you're trying to do on your phone. The company cites recent insights showing that nearly eight in 10 users now rely on more than two different AI agents, choosing different tools depending on the task. Galaxy S26 users will be able to invoke Perplexity using a dedicated "Hey, Plex" wake phrase. It can also be launched by pressing and holding the phone's side button. As for functionality, Perplexity can be used inside core Samsung apps like Notes, Calendar, Gallery, Clock, Reminders, and select third-party apps to continue workflows without manually managing multiple apps. This isn't Perplexity as just another app or chatbot. Samsung is positioning it as a system-level AI agent that can understand context across the OS and help complete multi-step tasks in the background. For Galaxy users, this could mean asking a question, pulling in relevant information, creating notes or reminders, and scheduling events, all with a single prompt without hopping between separate apps. Samsung also recently rolled out the beta program for its latest version of Bixby, which is also being upgraded to operate as a conversational device agent. However, rather than locking users into a single assistant or experience, Samsung says it's building an open, multi-agent ecosystem where different AI services can coexist on the same device. Crucially, Samsung emphasizes that Galaxy AI operates at the framework and OS level, not just inside individual apps.

Galaxy S26 will add Perplexity to Samsung's AI lineup

Rajesh started following the latest happenings in the world of Android around the release of the Nexus One and Samsung Galaxy S. After flashing custom ROMs and kernels on his beloved Galaxy S, he started writing about Android for a living. He uses the latest Samsung or Pixel flagship as his daily driver. And yes, he carries an iPhone as a secondary device. Rajesh has been writing for Android Police since 2021, covering news, how-tos, and features. Based in India, he has previously written for Neowin, AndroidBeat, Times of India, iPhoneHacks, MySmartPrice, and MakeUseOf. When not working, you will find him mindlessly scrolling through X, playing with new AI models, or going on long road trips. You can reach out to him on Twitter or drop a mail at [email protected]. Samsung will unveil a revamped Bixby with One UI 8.5 and the Galaxy S26 later this week. It has already detailed some of its capabilities in an official announcement last week. But Bixby won't be the only AI assistant on the upcoming Galaxy phones. Samsung has confirmed that it will expand the Galaxy AI to offer a multi-agent system, with deep Perplexity integration leading the charge. Samsung has always offered Bixby alongside Google Assistant -- and now Gemini -- as virtual assistants on its phones. With One UI 8.5, the company will expand this lineup further by adding Perplexity to the mix as part of its multi-agent expansion. Thanks to the deep Perplexity integration, Galaxy S26 users can trigger the assistant using the "Hey Plex" hotword. Or, they can press and hold the side button to trigger it. Perplexity will also work with most of Samsung's system apps, such as Samsung Notes, Clock, Gallery, Reminder, Calendar, and even some third-party apps for "multi-step workflows." Galaxy phones already support the "Hey Google" and "Hi Bixby" wake words. With Perplexity joining the lineup, that number will rise to three. Samsung will presumably offer Galaxy S26 users a choice to pick their default assistant during the initial setup process. Perplexity will also integrate directly into the new Bixby, allowing it to source and summarize information from across the web. The deep Perplexity integration should expand to older Galaxy flagships as part of the stable One UI 8.5 update. What happens to Samsung and Google's partnership? Samsung's announcement emphasizes that it is opening Galaxy AI to support several integrated agents, giving users the flexibility to choose the one that best fits their needs. So, Perplexity might just be one of the many AI agents that will integrate deeply into your Galaxy phone. Subscribe to our newsletter for Galaxy AI analysis Make informed choices - subscribe to the newsletter for in-depth coverage of Galaxy AI's move to multi-agent assistants. Get clear explainers, side-by-side comparisons, and practical breakdowns of how the new agent integrations work and what they mean for users. Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime. Samsung has traditionally had a strong relationship with Google. As part of the last two Ultra launches, the two companies unveiled several new Gemini features, which were exclusively available on Samsung's flagship phones for a few months. With Samsung now opening Galaxy AI for multi-agent platforms, the big question is whether the Galaxy S26 Ultra will still debut with exclusive new Gemini features.

Galaxy S26 will have a 'Hey Plex' Perplexity hotword alongside 'Hey Google' & Bixby

Samsung has confirmed that the upcoming Galaxy S26 series will support a new Perplexity hotword - "Hey Plex" - as part of an "open and inclusive integrated AI ecosystem" that also includes Google and Bixby, which have their own hotwords. "Hey Google" has been around on Android devices for years now, but it lives right alongside an optional "Hey Bixby" hotword on Samsung Galaxy devices. Now, Perplexity is being thrown into the mix. Samsung says in a press release that "Hey Plex" will activate Perplexity on "upcoming flagship Galaxy devices," aka the Galaxy S26 series. It's a "system-level" integration that points to Perplexity being pre-installed as well, as was previously reported. Perplexity also appears to be used in the Bixby reboot. This is a part of Samsung's "vision for a rich, open and integrated multi-agent ecosystem" in Galaxy AI as "nearly 8 in 10 users now rely on more than two types of AI agents," the company says. Samsung explains: As part of this multi-agent expansion, Samsung will introduce Perplexity as an additional AI agent on upcoming flagship Galaxy devices. Users will be able to access Perplexity through a dedicated voice wake phrase, "Hey Plex," or via quick-access controls such as pressing and holding the side button, making contextual assistance easy to reach when needed. Deeply embedded across select Samsung apps -- including Samsung Notes, Clock, Gallery, Reminder and Calendar, as well as select third-party apps -- Perplexity's AI agent enables smoother, multi-step workflows, allowing users to move seamlessly between tasks without manually managing individual apps. This system-level approach offers Galaxy users a richer and more flexible AI experience across the device. It's unclear is this will be exclusive to Galaxy S26, but Samsung hints it could be on other devices with details on "supported devices" to be announced "soon." So it sounds like we'll hear more next week alongside the Galaxy S26 announcement.

The 7 new AI features coming to the Galaxy S26 -- and the one I'm most excited about

Imagine having to only open one app on your phone ever again. That's the promise of a new Gemini-powered AI tool being launched on the Samsung Galaxy S26, just one of several new AI features coming on Samsung's newest smartphone. From booking your Friday night Uber to auto-filling your grocery cart based on a recipe, the S26 is debuting "agentic" task automation that promises to change how we interact with our devices forever. However, Samsung is also introducing other AI features with the S26 that should make it easier for you to take and edit photos, monitor who's calling you, and get more personalized daily briefings. Here are the new AI features coming to the Galaxy S26, and the one game-changer I'm most excited about. 1. Gemini now finishes what you start Google has moved Gemini beyond the chatbot phase, and now lets your AI assistant actually use your apps for you. Codenamed "Bonobo" in recent beta builds, this update allows Gemini to handle multi-step tasks that previously required jumping between three or four apps. So, if you have screen after screen of apps, you'll no longer have to go hunting for the one you want. However, there's a catch: This new agentic version of Gemini will only be available on the just-announced Samsung Galaxy S26 series and the Google Pixel 10. Long-press the power button and say, "Book me the cheapest Uber home," and Gemini takes it from there. The assistant opens a secure virtual window, compares ride options and prepares checkout while you keep browsing or texting, then sends a notification when it's ready for your final "OK." At launch, the beta -- rolling out first in the U.S. and Korea -- focuses on three high-frequency tasks: reordering your usual from DoorDash or Uber Eats, comparing and booking rides across supported platforms, and building grocery carts from a recipe or past purchases through partners like Kroger and Walmart. 2. Circle to Search got a huge update Circle to Search is evolving from a quick lookup tool into a full "AI Mode" experience that can interpret an entire scene at once. Instead of identifying a single object, you can circle an influencer's outfit to surface every item in the look, then step into a virtual try-on room to see how each piece appears on your digital likeness. The same scene-level understanding applies beyond shopping: circle a cluster of plants or animals in a photo and Gemini can generate a combined overview of the ecosystem, eliminating the need to search each element individually. 3. Photo Editing and Now Nudge Samsung has made improvements to its AI-powered image signal processor, which is now used on the S26's selfie camera. Now, it should deliver more natural skin tones and sharper detail even in tricky, mixed lighting. Editing photos and videos is promised to be easier with AI tools baked in. The upgraded Photo Assist suite takes things a step further with natural-language editing: just describe what you want to change. You can turn a bright daytime shot into a moody nighttime scene, add elements or restore missing details (yes, even the bite someone took out of the cake before you snapped the photo). It can clean up small distractions like stains and even change outfits in photos. Edits can be applied continuously, reviewed step by step and easily undone. Another feature that can be used with images or elsewhere is Now Nudge. Users receive relevant suggestions designed to handle tasks and prevent distractions. For example, if a friend asks for photos from a recent trip to New York, the Galaxy S26 can automatically surface the most relevant images from the Gallery, eliminating the need to dig through albums or switch between apps. 4. Now Brief Now Brief is evolving into a more proactive, personalized assistant that surfaces timely reminders based on your daily context. Instead of waiting for you to check calendars or emails, it highlights important events like reservations, travel updates and schedule changes as they become relevant, helping you stay organized and on track throughout the day. 5. Bixby Samsung is still trying to make Bixby, its own voice assistant, a thing. It's improving Bixby into a highly intuitive, conversational device agent that understands natural language, allowing users to navigate their devices and adjust settings as easily as they would speak to a friend. Beyond Bixby, you'll also be able to use other AI agents, including Gemini and Perplexity, which can be activated with a single button press or voice prompt. 6. Control and privacy To address the potential "creepy factor" of an AI clicking through tasks on your screen, Google has built in several guardrails focused on control and transparency. You can take the wheel at any point during an automated action, and Gemini will never hit "Pay" or "Confirm" without your final manual tap. Because the system relies on screen automation, Google also notes that screenshots from these interactions may be reviewed by human trainers to improve accuracy, though users can opt out of this review in their settings. 7. Call screening This is a feature we can all appreciate because who's a fan of spam calls? The S26's AI-powered Call Screening will proactively identifies unknown callers and provides concise summaries of their intent to help you better manage communication. The transparency extends to Privacy Alerts, a machine-learning tool that monitors apps with device admin privileges in real time. You'll get notified when these apps attempt to access sensitive data -- such as precise location, contacts or call logs -- without a clear necessity, the system empowers you to understand deeper access requests and manage permissions with much greater control. What I'm most excited about The Agentic AI being introduced with the Galaxy S26 (and Pixel 10) represent a fundamental shift for how people could use their smartphones. By leveraging Android 16's new screen-automation capabilities, Google is effectively eliminating the "app-switching tax" -- the tedious task of manually navigating between multiple apps to finish a single real-world task. This "intent-first" approach, creates a proactive agent capable of executing complex errands. Ultimately, it could signal the end of the traditional app grid's dominance, turning the phone into a helpful assistant that prioritizes your tasks. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds.

'There's possibility for another partner to join the ecosystem' -- as Perplexity lands on Samsung Galaxy S26 phones a Samsung head is already teasing the next AI addition

Samsung is leaning into its AI phone mantra by adding a third integrated assistant to its new Galaxy S26 lineup, with Perplexity joining Gemini and Bixby as part of its AI OS initiative -- and it sounds like it won't be the last such assistant to join Samsung's AI roster. Launching first on S26 phones in the US and South Korea, this alternative AI assistant can be activated by saying "Hey Plex," or set as the default AI when you long press your S26's wake button, and it can then perform many of the actions Gemini can currently help you with. It can fetch information from connected apps like your calendar and gallery, with a level of access that's reserved for integrated assistants -- though it can also do more basic tasks, like search the web for answers to your queries. This will give Perplexity a greater level of integration with your device compared with a smartphone app, though if you'd rather simply stick with Gemini you can do so -- think of this as being similar to how you can choose which search engine you want to be the default on your phone. Speaking at a roundtable event ahead of the S26 launch, Minseok Kang, head of Samsung's Smartphone Product Planning Team, explained: "We want to give more possibilities to users to choose their preferred AI." With Samsung saying that eight in 10 users already juggle multiple AI assistants every day, it's all about giving us the choice to use the tools we like best. This then begs the question: which artificial assistant will be integrated next? As it's not much of a choice if you only have two options (three counting Bixby). Samsung was, as you might expect, cagey on this, but Kang did concede that "there's possibility for another partner to join the ecosystem" at some point in the future -- and I'd be surprised if Perplexity and Gemini stay as a double act for long. As we talked about on our special Samsung Unpacked edition of the TechRadar Podcast there are so many interesting possibilities for on-device AI. Standard options like Claude or ChatGPT are certainly handy, especially for folks with a history with those services already that could help further the AI's usefulness on their device, but imagine if something like a vibe coding-proficient assistant was given the reins over your smartphone and could help generate new apps to suit your needs on the fly. This is just speculation for now, but I wouldn't be surprised if this is something we'll see in a few generations' time, especially as on-device NPU capabilities improve. Speaking of hardware capabilities, Samsung explained that its new AI features -- including Perplexity -- will be rolled out (or not as the case may be) on a case-by-case basis to older models. So we may see Perplexity on Galaxy S25 smartphones, or the Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7, but Samsung hasn't yet confirmed this, and perhaps this software upgrade is one you'll ultimately need to upgrade for. Though Kand explained that Samsung wants AI features to reach as many people as possible -- so it'll be interesting to see what upcoming One UI updates bring. Google still number one? While clearly excited by the arrival of Perplexity, and the potential for further AI assistant on Samsung devices, Kang did affirm that "Our main partner is Google," explaining that Gemini will get some new improvements (exact details were a little vague, though presumably this includes features like the improved Circle to Search) to make it the most capable phone assistant. This somewhat flies in the face of Samsung's user-choice comment, though it did make clear that it's up to the AI providers to make the most of the device integration. Given Google's smartphone proficiency, its Android OS being the platform One UI is built on, and its own Pixel lineup offering insight to what users want most, it makes sense that for now its assistant remains in the top spot. That said, as we're seeing with AI in other areas, while Gemini may remain the best multipurpose helper, perhaps Samsung's ecosystem will allow users to call on different tools for different tasks to get the best AI for each individual job rather than the one-size-fits-all model we currently put up with. We'll have to wait and see how its AI strategy develops, but I wouldn't be surprised if other smartphone makers follow Samsung's multi-model approach. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button! And of course you can also follow TechRadar on TikTok for news, reviews, unboxings in video form, and get regular updates from us on WhatsApp too.

Samsung finally lets you pick your AI assistant on Galaxy phones

Perplexity joins the family with a dedicated wake word and deep system integration starting this year. Samsung is giving Galaxy owners a real choice in which AI runs their phone. The company will add Perplexity as a second system-level agent on upcoming flagship devices, complete with its own "Hey Plex" wake word and side button controls. The move expands what Samsung calls a "multi-agent ecosystem" inside Galaxy AI. Instead of forcing everyone into one assistant, the company wants users to pick the AI that fits each task. Perplexity is the first confirmed partner, though Samsung hints more could follow. Press and hold for Perplexity You'll soon launch Perplexity just by talking to your phone. The agent responds to "Hey Plex," making it feel as native as Bixby or Google Assistant. There's a hardware shortcut too. Press and hold the side button, and Perplexity pops up for quick access. Recommended Videos This isn't another downloaded app. Samsung builds Perplexity directly into the Galaxy OS so it works in the background and moves seamlessly between tasks. The company calls this a "system-level" approach. The AI understands your context without forcing you to jump between different apps manually. Why Samsung is opening up its AI playground The shift matches how people actually use AI. Samsung's internal research shows nearly 8 in 10 users now rely on more than two types of AI agents depending on the task. You might use one agent for research, another for quick answers, and a third for smart home controls. Samsung wants Galaxy AI to handle all of them without friction. The company describes Galaxy AI as an "orchestrator" that pulls different agents together into one experience. By partnering with services like Perplexity, Samsung can offer specialized tools while keeping everything integrated. Users get flexibility without losing the seamless feel of the Galaxy ecosystem. The move also sets Samsung apart from competitors that tightly control their AI stack. Opening up to partners gives Galaxy owners more reasons to stick with the platform. What you need to know before the switch Samsung hasn't said which phones get Perplexity first. The company says it's coming to "upcoming flagship Galaxy devices," which likely points to the next Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip models or maybe the Galaxy S series next year. There's no word on whether existing devices will get the feature in a software update. You'll need a Samsung Account for some AI features, and availability varies by region and carrier. The company also includes the standard disclaimer that it can't guarantee the accuracy of AI output. Still, the shift toward choice is clear. Samsung is betting that options beat a single forced solution. Watch for more partner announcements in the coming months. The Perplexity integration is just the start.

'It feels leaps ahead of the other guys' -- the Samsung Galaxy S26 series wins in the AI department, and we're not the only ones who think so

Samsung unveiled its slew of new devices at Galaxy Unpacked 2026, including the next generation of Galaxy smartphones which we've been itching to get our hands on. Lucky for us, we had early access to the new S26 series, and let's just say we weren't let down. In the most recent episode of the TechRadar Podcast, which you can catch on the likes of Spotify and YouTube, tech YouTubers Daniel Rotar (ZONEofTECH) and Hayleigh Chamberlain (HaylsWorld) joined us for an exclusive hands-on with the Galaxy S26 series, which, in short, made quite the impression on us. Despite some minor reservations about camera quality, Samsung's next smartphone lineup brings some much-needed upgrades. It embraces a refined design with softer edges, a departure from the sharpness of previous series, and is the thinnest smartphone out there (0.3mm less than the iPhone 17) -- but nothing stands out more than the Galaxy S26's huge AI wins, which Apple should watch and learn from. "Other companies have made some very big AI promises and none of that has come to fruition, and I hope that's not the case with Samsung" When it comes to the Galaxy S26's AI ecosystem, it's pretty much ticking all the boxes on the convenience and simplicity front, succeeding in building on its existing AI tools as well as introducing new smarts. As our guest Chamberlain puts it, "I think when it comes to AI, [people] just want it to help them with their daily life". This is where agentic AI comes in (although only to the US and South Korea for now), but despite its limited availability, it marks a solid start for Samsung's rollout of simpler and concise AI components, removing any inconvenient reliance on multiple third-party AI platforms to do certain tasks. Rotar agrees; "I think that's where the future is, telling your phone to do specific actions, and then your phone just does that", and the new Bixby upgrades reflect this. For example, you can amend certain phone settings right from the chatbot without having to go manually through different steps in the Settings app. But the Galaxy S26 series doesn't lock you into just one AI assistant. This time around, Samsung is integrating platforms such as Gemini and Perplexity into its ecosystem, giving you the option to stick with your preferred chatbot and have it work with your phone's system itself instead of using a third-party app, which doesn't possess the same power. Overall, it's a reflection of Samsung's focus on user interest; the integration of these AI services opens doors for users who have more specialised needs. That's not to say it won't be daunting for some users, however. Being presented with several different AI solutions can be overwhelming, but it could pave the way for a singular AI model that will direct you to Gemini, Perplexity, and beyond, depending on what you want it to do. That said, this mass integration does one thing that other brands have yet to accomplish, and that's offer users the option to choose which AI works best for them from a vast selection of trusted models. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button! And of course, you can also follow TechRadar on YouTube and TikTok for news, reviews, unboxings in video form, and get regular updates from us on WhatsApp too.

Hey Plex: Samsung and Perplexity partner for Galaxy AI

Samsung announced the integration of Perplexity as an AI agent into Galaxy AI for its upcoming S26 flagship series. This expansion introduces support for multiple AI agents within the Galaxy ecosystem. The Perplexity agent will operate within specific Samsung applications and select third-party apps. The announcement precedes the scheduled Galaxy Unpacked event. The integration aims to provide users with additional options for task management and information retrieval. The Perplexity agent responds to the wake phrase "Hey Plex." Users can also activate the agent using quick-access physical controls. The agent functions across several native Samsung applications. Supported apps include Samsung Notes, Clock, Gallery, Reminder, and Calendar. Samsung confirmed that the agent will support some third-party applications. The specific third-party apps receiving support have not been identified in the announcement. Won-Joon Choi, President, COO, and Head of the R&D Office for Samsung's Mobile eXperience Business, described the strategic intent behind the update. Choi stated that Galaxy AI serves as an orchestrator for diverse AI technologies. "Galaxy AI acts as an orchestrator, bringing together different forms of AI into a single, natural, cohesive experience," Choi said. This approach is designed to offer users increased choice and flexibility in completing tasks. The integration reflects a broader strategy to enhance the utility of the mobile experience. This partnership builds on previous collaboration between the two companies. Last year, Samsung announced a partnership to integrate Perplexity's AI search engine into Samsung TVs. Perplexity has faced legal challenges regarding content scraping and copyright infringement. In September, the company was sued by Merriam-Webster and Encyclopedia Britannica. These allegations center on the unauthorized use of copyrighted material.

Samsung's Galaxy S26 is getting a third wake phrase, and it's not for Bixby - Phandroid

Samsung Galaxy phones already let you say "Hey Google" or "Hey Bixby" to pull up a voice assistant. That's been the setup for years. With the Galaxy S26, "Hey Plex" is joining the mix, and it's for an entirely different AI altogether. Samsung officially confirmed that Galaxy S26 Hey Plex support is coming as part of its growing multi-AI approach. Saying "Hey Plex" will wake up Perplexity directly, without touching the screen. You can also hold the side button to get there if voice isn't your thing. Samsung describes this as a "system-level" integration, meaning Perplexity runs deep in the OS rather than sitting on top as a regular app. It's not just a search tool. According to Samsung, Perplexity works across core apps like Notes, Clock, Gallery, Reminders, and Calendar, plus select third-party apps. The idea is that it handles multi-step tasks across apps without you having to jump between them manually. Think of it as an assistant that can actually do things, not just answer questions. This move fits neatly into what Samsung has been building for a while. We covered how Perplexity was already powering Bixby's new web search in One UI 8.5, and before that, reports suggested Samsung was working toward a Perplexity-backed Bixby overhaul for the S26. This announcement makes that partnership official and adds a dedicated entry point for it. Samsung also says Hey Google isn't going anywhere. The goal seems to be giving users more options, not swapping one assistant for another. Whether anyone will actually train themselves to say "Hey Plex" remains to be seen, but the Galaxy S26 Hey Plex setup puts the option right at the system level. This has been Samsung's strategy for the S26 all along, and it sounds like Unpacked on February 25 is where we'll get the full picture.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Series Will Let You Say 'Hey Plex' to Invoke Perplexity

Samsung previously confirmed that Bixby would be powered by Perplexity AI Samsung on Monday announced that the upcoming Galaxy S26 series of smartphones, which is expected to comprise the standard Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26+, and the Galaxy S26 Ultra, will offer support for another AI agent. An addition to Galaxy AI, the Samsung Galaxy S26 series will also support Perplexity AI, according to the company. Users will be able to invoke the AI assistant using the 'Hey Plex' hotword, or by pressing the side button. It will also work across the company's built-in apps as well as some third-party apps. Samsung Galaxy S26 Models Will Offer Perplexity AI Integration Across Samsung Apps According to the company's latest blog post, Samsung will equip "upcoming flagship Galaxy devices" with Perplexity as an additional AI agent. Samsung smartphones already feature the firm's in-house Galaxy AI agent, as well as Google's Gemini AI. Earlier this year, Samsung revealed that its revamped Bixby assistant would be powered by Perplexity AI. Just like Galaxy AI, the Perplexity agent will be embedded across Samsung's ecosystem, according to the company. This means the company's apps like Samsung Notes, Reminder, Calendar, Clock, and Gallery apps will offer Perplexity AI integration. Select third-party apps will also be supported on the Galaxy S26 series. Samsung is not the first smartphone maker to offer third-party AI agent support on its handsets. Lenovo-owned Motorola announced in April 2025 that it would include Perplexity AI on its upcoming smartphone models. All recent Motorola handsets feature the Perplexity AI assistant. This year's lineup is expected to include the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, which is confirmed to arrive with a new Privacy Display feature. It is a hardware level feature that can dynamically adjust the viewing angles of a portion of the display, preventing bystanders from looking at sensitive information on a user's screen. Samsung has already confirmed that the Galaxy S26 series will be launched at its first Galaxy Unpacked event of the year. Three models are expected to launch -- the Samsung Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26+, and the Galaxy S26 Ultra. The firm is also likely to introduce the Galaxy Buds 4 and Galaxy Buds 4 Pro with a refreshed design during the launch event.

Samsung Galaxy S26 series to get Perplexity AI with 'Hey Plex' support

Samsung is enhancing its Galaxy AI strategy by adding Perplexity as a new AI agent. This move allows users to access Perplexity using "Hey, Plex" on upcoming devices like the Galaxy S26 series. Samsung aims to create a multi-agent ecosystem where users can choose the best AI for specific tasks. Samsung is expanding its Galaxy AI strategy and this time, it's adding another AI agent to sit alongside its in-house Bixby and Google's Gemini. Ahead of its next Unpacked event on February 25, the company confirmed that upcoming flagship devices, including the Galaxy S26 lineup, will support Perplexity as an integrated AI agent. Users will be able to access it by saying "Hey, Plex," alongside the existing assistants. Also Read: Samsung Galaxy Unpacked Confirmed for February 25: Galaxy S26 Ultra launch expected The move is part of Samsung's broader push toward what it calls a "multi-agent ecosystem" -- a system where users can rely on different AI agents depending on the task at hand. Why Samsung is betting on multiple AI agents Samsung says nearly eight in 10 people now use more than two AI agents, depending on their strengths whether that's search, scheduling, summarising or creative tasks. Rather than forcing users to stick with a single assistant, Samsung is opening up Galaxy AI at the operating system level to integrate multiple agents directly into the OS. This isn't just a shortcut to the Perplexity app. The AI will have deeper access to core Samsung apps including Notes, Clock, Gallery, Reminder and Calendar, along with select third-party apps (though Samsung hasn't specified which ones yet). That means users could ask Perplexity to find information, summarise it into Notes, set a Reminder and schedule it on Calendar without manually switching between apps. Samsung appears to be betting that as users form stronger preferences for certain AI tools, giving them flexibility at the system level could help differentiate Galaxy devices from rivals like Apple and Google. Bloomberg was the first to report in June 2025 that the South Korean giant has been in talks with Perplexity to bring its AI-powered search features to its smartphones. Also Read: OpenAI, Samsung and SK set to start building data centres in Korea in March, minister says How to access Perplexity on Galaxy devices On supported devices such as the Galaxy S26 series, users will be able to: Samsung has positioned Galaxy AI as an "orchestrator" that brings together different AI systems into one cohesive experience rather than siloed apps. More details are expected at Samsung's upcoming Unpacked event on February 25, where the company is likely to share further information about supported devices, rollout timelines and its broader vision for a multi-agent AI future. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)

Samsung expands Galaxy AI with multi-agent ecosystem, adds Perplexity support

Samsung Electronics has announced the continued expansion of Galaxy AI, outlining plans to support a broader, open and integrated multi-agent ecosystem. The company said Galaxy AI is designed to reduce effort across everyday tasks and enable more natural interactions, while offering users greater choice, flexibility and control. The announcement follows user insights showing increased reliance on multiple AI agents for different tasks. Samsung cited findings indicating that nearly 8 in 10 users now use more than two types of AI agents depending on their needs. As AI tools become part of daily routines, users are selecting different assistants based on specific tasks. To address this shift, Samsung is evolving Galaxy AI to support a choice of integrated agents. The system is intended to allow users to select AI experiences that align with their preferences and usage patterns within the Galaxy environment. Galaxy AI is built to function at the operating system level through framework-level integration across the device. Instead of operating only within individual applications, the system is designed to understand user context and support interactions across apps. This structure reduces the need to switch between applications or repeat instructions. Galaxy AI can operate in the background and coordinate services while remaining integrated within the Galaxy interface. Samsung stated that this approach enables curated experiences from supporting services, including Perplexity, while maintaining a unified system experience. As part of the multi-agent expansion, Samsung will introduce Perplexity as an additional AI agent on upcoming flagship Galaxy devices. Access methods will include: These options are intended to provide contextual assistance when required. Perplexity's AI agent will be embedded across select Samsung applications, including: It will also integrate with select third-party applications. According to Samsung, the integration supports multi-step workflows, allowing users to move between tasks without manually managing separate apps. The system-level design is intended to provide a more flexible AI experience across the device. Samsung said additional details regarding supported devices and specific experiences will be announced at a later date. Speaking on the announcement, Won-Joon Choi, President, Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Head of the R&D Office, Mobile eXperience (MX) Business at Samsung Electronics, said,

Agents vs. Agentic AI: The new smartphone spec you should care about

The launch of the Samsung Galaxy S26 series marks a definitive shift in the mobile landscape, moving us past the era of simple generative tools and into the age of the "Action-Oriented" smartphone. While we spent 2024 and 2025 marveling at AI that could summarize a long email or remove a stranger from a vacation photo, the conversation has fundamentally changed. The Galaxy S26 isn't just a platform for Galaxy AI; it is an entry point into the distinction between having a library of AI Agents and a truly Agentic AI system. For the modern consumer, understanding this difference is as critical as knowing the difference between a high-refresh-rate display and a standard one, as it defines how much of your digital life you will actually have to manage yourself moving forward. AIso read: Apple Borivali, second store in Mumbai, now open: Location, rent and other details To understand the new smartphone hierarchy, we must first define the AI Agent. In the context of the Galaxy S26, think of an agent as a highly specialized digital worker designed to perform specific, narrow tasks. Bixby's transformation into a conversational agent, or the deep integration of Google Gemini and Perplexity, represents a collection of these individual experts living on your device. These agents are inherently reactive; they wait for a specific prompt or trigger to execute a single, linear command. When you ask your phone to "Draft a reply to this WhatsApp message" or "Find the best price for a pair of noise-canceling headphones," you are engaging an AI Agent. It is a powerful tool, certainly more capable than the voice assistants of old, but it still requires the user to be the primary director of every scene. The agent provides the labor, but the human provides the step-by-step roadmap. Also read: AI goes rogue? Study claims Claude, Gemini, ChatGPT obsessed with nuclear arms The real breakthrough highlighted by the S26 launch is the move toward Agentic AI. Unlike an individual agent, Agentic AI is a system-level intelligence - an orchestrator that sits above the individual tools. Powered by the specialized NPU within the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, Agentic AI possesses a "reasoning loop" that allows it to be proactive rather than reactive. It doesn't just wait for a command; it observes context across multiple apps and sensors to anticipate a goal. If an AI Agent is a chef who can cook a specific dish when given a recipe, Agentic AI is the head of the kitchen who notices the fridge is empty, plans a balanced menu for the week, and orders the groceries before you've even realized you're out of milk. It breaks down high-level objectives into a series of autonomous steps, navigating between your calendar, your location data, and your messaging apps to solve complex problems without requiring a prompt for every single sub-task. As we look at the specifications of the S26 Ultra, the most important metric isn't the 200MP camera or the peak brightness of the AMOLED panel; it is the "Agentic Capability" of the silicon. This refers to the device's ability to handle these complex reasoning tasks locally, ensuring that your personal data - your schedules, private messages, and habits - never has to leave the phone to be "processed" by a cloud-based brain. This shift represents the "Death of the App" philosophy, where the phone becomes a unified interface rather than a collection of siloed icons. When your device can detect a flight delay and automatically suggest a new itinerary while notifying your next meeting of your late arrival, it has moved from being a tool you use to a partner that works for you. In 2026, the value of a flagship smartphone is no longer measured by how fast it opens an application, but by how many applications it can autonomously manage to save you time. Also read: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra launched: Here's what's new over Galaxy S25 Ultra