We know that Samsung has quickly embraced artificial intelligence, and the next Galaxy smartphones could be entitled to an interesting new feature. The manufacturer is reportedly about to conclude an agreement with Perplexity, according to Bloomberg. A rising star in AI, the American startup aims to compete with Google in online search.
What would an agreement between Samsung and Perplexity AI look like?
Discussions between the two companies are in full swing to pre-install Perplexity's app and assistant on future Samsung devices, and even integrate its search features directly into the company's web browser. And that's not all: Bixby, Samsung's virtual assistant that is sometimes in need of a second wind, could also benefit from a makeover thanks to the young company's technology.
The timeline is said to be accelerating, with a potential announcement of these integrations as early as this year. The goal would be to make Perplexity a default assistant option on the highly anticipated Galaxy S26 range, scheduled for the first half of 2026. A real earthquake in prospect for the Android ecosystem, historically closely linked to Google.
Samsung puts its hand in its pocket and bets on the future
This merger would not be just a simple software collaboration. Samsung is also preparing to become one of the major investors in Perplexity's new funding round. The startup, which is on the rise, is said to be in advanced discussions to raise a whopping $500 million, enough to bring its valuation to $14 billion. A financial windfall that would allow Perplexity to accelerate its development and Samsung to make a strategic point by positioning itself in the AI segment.
Indeed, the stakes are high for the Korean titan, which could reduce its dependence on Alphabet (Google's parent company) and draw inspiration from Apple's strategy. The Apple brand is multiplying partnerships with various AI developers to enrich its own services. For Perplexity, after a recent agreement with Motorola, this partnership with Samsung would represent a recognition and access to millions, even hundreds of millions of users around the world.
Towards a reinvented user experience?
If the agreement materializes, the entire interaction with Samsung devices could be transformed. A Bixby boosted by Perplexity's AI could offer smarter answers, more relevant searches, and more natural conversations. There's even talk behind the scenes of an AI-infused operating system and an AI agent application capable of tapping into the capabilities of Perplexity and other assistants.
This Samsung offensive is part of a long-standing trend, with a frantic race between tech giants to avoid missing the AI shift. A race in which Perplexity seems to be playing the spoilsport, even attracting the attention of Apple. The Cupertino company is said to have explored the possibility of using Perplexity as an alternative to Google Search or to enhance Siri. The fact that Samsung, one of its fiercest competitors, is so close to a major agreement with the Californian startup will surely add spice to this rivalry.
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