Perplexity Partners with Samsung: “Hey Plex” AI Coming Built-In to Galaxy S26

In one of the biggest AI distribution deals of 2026, Samsung has officially partnered with Perplexity to embed its AI directly into the Galaxy S26 at the operating system level.

Yes, this is system-level integration.

For the first time ever, Samsung is giving OS-level access to a third-party AI app that is not built by Samsung or Google.

And it comes with its own wake word:

“Hey Plex.”

This could completely change how AI assistants work on smartphones.

What’s Happening?

Every new Samsung Galaxy S26 will ship with:

• Perplexity built directly into the system
• A dedicated wake phrase: “Hey Plex”
• Deep OS-level integration
• The ability to choose between multiple AI assistants

Unlike traditional Android devices that lock users into one assistant, Samsung is opening the ecosystem.

That is a major shift in mobile AI strategy.

Bixby + Perplexity: A Hybrid AI Assistant

Samsung is not replacing Bixby. It is upgrading it.

Here is how it works:

Bixby handles on-device tasks such as:

• Opening apps
• Adjusting settings
• Sending messages
• Controlling system functions

Perplexity handles complex AI queries including:

• Web research
• Generative responses
• Deep questions
• Task-based reasoning

When a query requires advanced AI or web intelligence, Bixby routes it to Perplexity’s APIs in the background.

The experience feels seamless for users. Behind the scenes, this is one of the largest AI infrastructure partnerships ever deployed.

The Scale Is Massive

Samsung expects this AI rollout to reach 800 million devices in 2026.

That makes this:

• One of the largest AI API deployments in history
• A significant shift away from single-assistant dominance
• A new chapter in Android AI competition

Perplexity has effectively moved from AI search startup to system-level AI infrastructure partner for the world’s largest Android device maker.

Samsung Internet Integration Is Next

The partnership goes beyond voice assistants.

Samsung confirmed that:

• Samsung Internet will integrate Perplexity APIs
• Perplexity will be offered as an optional default search engine
• Users will be able to choose their AI-powered search experience, similar to Mozilla’s search engine selection model

This expands Perplexity into:

• AI-powered browser control
• Intelligent search
• Web navigation automation
• Research workflows at the OS level

This is no longer just about chat. This is AI becoming part of the device’s foundation.

Why This Is a Big Deal

Multi-AI devices are becoming reality. Samsung is breaking the one assistant per phone rule.

OS-level access changes everything. Third-party AI apps rarely receive this level of system integration.

API-first AI is proving powerful. Perplexity did not need hardware. It needed strong APIs and the right partnership.

Google’s dominance in assistant and search ecosystems now faces stronger competition as users gain choice.

What This Means for the Future of AI

We are entering an era where:

• AI becomes a core layer of smartphones
• Assistants collaborate instead of compete
• Users choose their intelligence layer
• APIs become more valuable than standalone apps

If this integration succeeds, other smartphone manufacturers may follow.

Final Thoughts

The Samsung and Perplexity partnership may be remembered as the moment AI assistants stopped being locked ecosystems.

With “Hey Plex” shipping on the Galaxy S26 and Perplexity powering Bixby’s advanced queries across potentially 800 million devices, this is not just an update. It is a structural shift in mobile AI.

Follow FutureTools, we track the AI partnerships that reshape industries. This is one of the most important AI integrations of the year.

Stay tuned. The AI device race is accelerating.

Mehdi

Mehdi tracks the fast-moving world of AI, breaking down major updates, launches, and policy shifts into clear, timely news that helps readers stay ahead of what’s next.