TL;DR
Leaked One UI 8.5 firmware and a short video suggest Samsung is routing web-based Bixby queries to Perplexity, with Perplexity-style answers and numbered source citations. Samsung is expected to debut the Perplexity-powered Bixby alongside the Galaxy S26 in late February, though official announcements from either company are not present in the source.
What happened
A recent leak and a video shared on X indicate Samsung is testing an integration that hands off web-focused queries from Bixby to Perplexity. In the clip, Perplexity appears to generate the response and formats it with numbered source citations; its logo is shown only at the bottom of results. The transfer between Bixby and Perplexity reportedly happens behind the scenes, so end users may not immediately notice a different backend. According to the leaked One UI 8.5 firmware, Samsung plans to surface the Perplexity-powered responses for web summarization and sourcing, while retaining native Bixby functionality for device controls and system tasks. The upgrade also reportedly adds chat-style capabilities to Bixby similar to contemporary conversational AIs, enabling follow-up questions in natural language. Neither company has made a formal public announcement about the arrangement.
Why it matters
- Delegating web queries to a specialized answer engine could improve sourced summaries and citation transparency inside Bixby.
- A split architecture—Perplexity for web answers and Bixby for device control—changes how on-device assistants are composed and where intelligence runs.
- The move may affect Samsung’s broader AI partnerships and its positioning relative to other ecosystems that bundle different AI vendors.
Key facts
- Leak originates from a video posted on X and a One UI 8.5 firmware leak cited in the source.
- Perplexity-style answers in the leak include numbered source citations and a small Perplexity logo at the bottom of results.
- Hand-off from Bixby to Perplexity appears to occur in the background, making the change opaque to most users.
- Samsung is expected to debut the Perplexity-powered Bixby with the Galaxy S26 series and One UI 8.5 in late February.
- Perplexity is likely being used primarily for web summarization and sourcing tasks; Bixby should continue handling system-level functions.
- Bixby will reportedly gain more conversational, ChatGPT- and Gemini-like chat features as part of the upgrade.
- A report claimed Samsung might become a major investor in Perplexity, but the source says no official confirmation from either company exists.
What to watch next
- Official announcements from Samsung or Perplexity confirming the integration and detailing scope and privacy terms.
- The Galaxy S26 and One UI 8.5 launch in late February for any official rollout or feature notes.
- Whether Samsung expands the Perplexity-powered functionality beyond initial 2026 flagship devices or limits it at launch — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Bixby: Samsung's virtual assistant used for voice commands, device control, and system-level tasks on Galaxy devices.
- Perplexity: An AI-powered answer engine known for producing concise web-sourced summaries with citations.
- One UI: Samsung's Android-based user interface that customizes the look and behavior of Galaxy phones.
- Web summarization: The process of condensing information from web sources into a shorter, referenced answer.
Reader FAQ
Has Samsung officially announced Perplexity integration in Bixby?
Neither company has issued an official announcement; not confirmed in the source.
Will Perplexity replace Bixby entirely?
No — the source indicates Perplexity appears targeted at web-based summarization and sourcing, while Bixby remains responsible for system and device controls.
When is the Perplexity-powered Bixby expected to appear?
The source says it should debut with the Galaxy S26 series and One UI 8.5 in late February.
Did Samsung invest in Perplexity as part of the deal?
not confirmed in the source
Here's your first look at Samsung's Perplexity-powered Bixby By Rajesh Pandey Published 10 minutes ago Rajesh started following the latest happenings in the world of Android around the release of…
Sources
- Here's your first look at Samsung's Perplexity-powered Bixby
- Samsung is already testing Perplexity inside Bixby ahead …
- Samsung Bixby Gets Perplexity AI Boost in One UI 8.5
- Samsung's Bixby reboot shows up early with Perplexity in tow
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