A new AI upgrade is coming to your Galaxy phone. Samsung is adding Perplexity AI to Galaxy AI, which means your phone can now help you search, learn, and get things done faster and smarter.
This update was confirmed just before Galaxy Unpacked on February 25, 2026. Galaxy S26 owners will have more control over how AI works on their devices.
Bixby and Gemini are still around, but now Galaxy AI on One UI 8.5 lets you pick the assistant that fits what you need. Whether it’s quick phone controls, detailed answers, or help with research, you get to choose.
How Perplexity Works on Galaxy S26
Here is what Samsung has officially confirmed:
- Say “Hey Plex” to activate Perplexity directly with your voice.
- Hold the side button to launch it instantly without using voice commands.
- Access Perplexity inside core Samsung apps including Notes, Clock, Gallery, Reminder, and Calendar.
- Use it in select third-party apps, though Samsung has not named specific partners yet.
Perplexity does not sit as a separate app you switch to. It works directly inside One UI 8.5 as part of Galaxy AI, helping you move between tasks without switching screens. It also supports Bixby by improving web search results, giving you clearer and more relevant answers when you need them.
Why the Multi-Agent Approach Matters
The goal is simple. Match the right AI to the right task. By bringing together Perplexity AI, Bixby, and Google’s Gemini in one system, Galaxy AI gives users real flexibility and real choice.
Most competing brands still stick with one fixed assistant. Samsung takes a different approach. Its multi-agent system on One UI 8.5 gives you options based on what you actually need at that moment, instead of pushing the same solution on everyone.
What This Looks Like in Daily Use
On the Galaxy S26 series, each assistant plays a clear and distinct role:
- Use “Hey Plex” for sourced, research-based answers to detailed questions.
- Use Bixby for device controls, routines, and system-level tasks.
- Use Gemini for broader conversations and Google-connected services.
The phone adapts to what you are doing, supporting you across tasks without requiring you to change how you already work. For anyone who uses AI regularly for planning, research, or staying organized, that kind of flexibility makes a practical difference every single day.
Samsung Galaxy Unpacked on February 25, 2026
At Galaxy Unpacked on February 25, 2026, Samsung unveiled the full Galaxy S26 lineup, including the S26, S26 Plus, and S26 Ultra. The company also shared how the new multi-agent Galaxy AI system works on each model and what current Galaxy users can expect from the update.
Final Thoughts
Adding Perplexity AI to Galaxy AI marks a real shift in how AI works on Galaxy phones. With One UI 8.5 giving Perplexity, Bixby, and Gemini clearly defined roles, the Galaxy S26 delivers one of the most meaningful AI upgrades Samsung has introduced in years.
If you want smarter tools and more control over how your phone supports you, this is an update worth watching closely.