Samsung’s Galaxy S26 could mark the start of a breakup with Google

What is Perplexity AI?

The first real threat to Google Search. | Image credit – Perplexity

For those unfamiliar, Perplexity is a rapidly growing AI-powered search and assistant platform that is currently competing with more established names like Google Search and Microsoft Copilot. There’s already an app available on both Android and iOS.

So what might Samsung be planning?

If the deal goes through, Samsung could ship Perplexity’s app and assistant preloaded on Galaxy phones, while integrating its search engine directly into Samsung Internet and embedding some of its technology straight into Bixby.

Those with a good memory will remember that this isn’t the first time Samsung has flirted with Google’s rivals. In 2023, reports surfaced that Samsung considered switching the default search engine on its devices from Google to Bing, which reportedly sent Google into “panic mode.”

The Motorola Razr (2025) series are the first phones with Perplexity’s AI app preinstalled. | Image credit – Motorola

Interestingly, Samsung isn’t the first smartphone brand to embrace Perplexity out of the box. That title belongs to Motorola, which recently shipped the 2025 Razr series with no fewer than four AI assistants preinstalled: Google Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, Motorola’s own Moto AI, and Perplexity.

While the idea was to give users choice, Motorola may have gone overboard. With so many AI agents competing for attention — each with their own specialties and quirks — it can quickly become confusing which one to use and when.

Samsung, in contrast, so far has taken a more curated approach to software experiences, and it’s likely to avoid the same overload. But if Perplexity does become a core part of One UI, the company will need to clearly communicate what makes it different — and why users should care.

More AI competition on the way

Google’s new AI Ultra plan that was announced during Google I/O 2025. | Image credit – Google

All of this is happening against a backdrop of intense competition in the AI space.

Want to know what’s coming up on Android? Check out all the exciting Android advancements Google announced during the I/O 2025 developer’s conference.

As for Samsung, whether it ultimately moves forward with Perplexity — and how deeply it integrates the technology — could mark a turning point in how AI works on Galaxy devices. We expect to hear a formal announcement later this year, given that this partnership ends up forming.