New Delhi: Samsung has recently reported that it is testing a Perplexity-powered version of its Bixby assistant ahead of the wider rollout with the anticipated launch of the Galaxy S26 series. According to some reports by sources, some of the users have spotted Bixby drawing on Perplexity to handle queries such as weather checks, where it goes beyond basic forecasts to provide added context and practical suggestions, including whether an umbrella might be needed. Samsung has also maintained a close partnership with Google for its Gemini assistant.
However, the South Korean consumer electronics market had earlier indicated that it would expand its AI offerings beyond the Gemini. Currently, there are limited details available, apart from the screenshots shared by some sources. And by integrating Perplexity’s advanced AI search and reasoning capabilities, Samsung appears to be enhancing Bixby’s intelligence while retaining control over its own platform. This integration could enable the assistant handle more complex, research-driven queries using real-time web information. Bixby is Samsung’s in-house assistant, and it is also expected to handle on-device tasks more efficiently than before.
The Perplexity-backed functionality has been spotted on Bixby version 4.0.50.4 and currently appears to be limited to the users running the One UI 8.5 beta. The updated Bixby features a card-based layout that aligns with One UI 8.5’s refreshed visual style. Samsung is likely to test the feature ahead of broader rollout, which could coincide with the launch of the Galaxy S26 lineup, expected in the first quarter of 2026. The functionality resembles how Apple’s Siri uses ChatGPT to handle more complex queries. It remains unclear whether Bixby will eventually support advanced capabilities such as deep research, Labs features or model selection.
