Samsung announced a big change to Galaxy AI on Friday. The company now turns it into a multi-agent system with deep links to Perplexity AI. This rolls out first on upcoming flagship Galaxy devices like the Galaxy S26 series. The move comes as most users mix several AI tools each day. Samsung aims to make that smoother right in the phone's software.
Key Takeaways
- Nearly 8 in 10 users run more than two AI agents daily, per Samsung research.
- Say "Hey Plex" or hold the side button to start Perplexity on Galaxy S26.
- Perplexity works in apps like Gallery, Notes, Calendar, Clock, and Reminder.
- Galaxy AI runs at the system level to share info between agents without app switches.
Background
Samsung launched Galaxy AI last year. It started as a set of AI tools baked into its phones. Things like photo editing and live translation came first. Users liked it. But people started using other AI apps too. Samsung's own studies show almost 80% of folks switch between two or more AI helpers every day. One for quick facts. Another for planning. A third for notes maybe.
That got messy. You'd jump apps. Copy text. Lose track of what you said before. Samsung saw the problem. They built Galaxy AI to work deep in the operating system from day one. Not stuck in single apps. This lets it grab context from what you're doing. Now they're opening it up. Not just their own Bixby voice helper. But room for others too.
Perplexity fits right in. It's a search tool that chats back with answers and steps. Made by a U.S. company. Samsung picks it as the first extra agent. Why? Users want choice. They don't want one AI locked in. And with Galaxy Unpacked 2026 just days away, the timing lines up for the S26 launch.
But hold on. Bixby isn't going away. Samsung upgraded it this week too. Now it handles natural talk for settings changes. Like "dim the screen at night." And it pulls live web info. Perplexity adds search smarts on top. Together they make the phone feel smarter.
Key Details
The new setup hits at the OS level. That means Galaxy AI acts like a boss for all agents. It passes info between them. No need to repeat yourself. Say you want trip plans. Perplexity pulls flight times. Then it adds them to your Calendar. Sets a Reminder. All in one flow.
How to Use Perplexity
Users get two easy ways in. First, the voice call: "Hey Plex." Say it anytime. The phone listens. Or hold the side button – that's the power key on most Galaxies. Samsung lets you pick. It shows up in key apps. Gallery for photo searches. Notes for jotting ideas. Calendar for dates. Clock for alarms. Reminder to ping you later.
It even touches some outside apps. Samsung didn't name them yet. But expect ties to popular ones. The agent handles chains of steps. Like "find a recipe, add ingredients to shopping list, set cook time." No app hopping.
This starts on flagship Galaxies. Galaxy S26 series leads. That's the next big phones. Ultra, Plus, standard models. But Samsung hints at more. One UI 8.5 update might bring it to older S and Z series. Like S25 or Z Fold 7. They'll say soon.
"We've been committed to building an open and inclusive integrated AI ecosystem that gives users more choice, flexibility and control to get complex tasks done quickly and easily. Galaxy AI acts as an orchestrator, bringing together different forms of AI into a single, natural, cohesive experience." – Won-Joon Choi, President, COO and Head of R&D Office, Mobile eXperience at Samsung Electronics
Samsung shared that quote in their release. Choi runs the phone side. His team pushes this multi-agent idea hard.
And there's Bixby news too. The voice assistant got a boost for One UI 8.5. It understands loose talk now. No stiff commands. Ask about weather? It checks the web real-time. Ties into the same system. So Bixby and Plex play nice.
Galaxy AI Perplexity Integration: What This Means
Phone makers race on AI. Apple sticks to Siri mostly. Google pushes Gemini everywhere. Samsung goes different. They let users mix agents. That matches how people live now. Grab best tool for the job. All inside one phone.
For everyday folks, it cuts hassle. Parents plan kids' schedules. Workers chase deadlines. No more app mess. Context stays. Tasks flow. Battery might hold up better too. Since it runs smart in back.
Developers watch close. Third-party apps could join. Imagine your bank app or email tying in. Samsung curates it. Keeps the Galaxy feel. But opens doors.
Competition heats. With Microsoft Gaming’s New CEO Rejects Flood of AI Content, big tech picks paths. Samsung bets on mix. Google just ended its Weather app on Android. Shifts focus. Samsung doubles down.
Users get power. 80% already mix AIs. Now it's built-in. Galaxy S26 buyers test first. Others wait updates. Rollout mixes software pushes and server tweaks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will older Galaxy phones get Perplexity?
Samsung says more details soon. One UI 8.5 likely brings it to recent flagships like S25 and Z series. Not confirmed for all yet.
Does Perplexity replace Bixby?
No. They work together. Bixby handles voice and settings. Perplexity focuses on search and multi-step tasks.
What apps work with Hey Plex?
Samsung apps like Notes, Gallery, Calendar, Clock, Reminder. Some third-party ones too. More names coming.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will older Galaxy phones get Perplexity?
Samsung says more details soon. One UI 8.5 likely brings it to recent flagships like S25 and Z series. Not confirmed for all yet.
Does Perplexity replace Bixby?
No. They work together. Bixby handles voice and settings. Perplexity focuses on search and multi-step tasks.
What apps work with Hey Plex?
Samsung apps like Notes, Gallery, Calendar, Clock, Reminder. Some third-party ones too. More names coming.
