Samsung is integrating Perplexity AI into its Galaxy AI platform, allowing future Galaxy S26 users to summon the assistant alongside Bixby and Google Gemini using the voice command “hey, Plex.” The move expands Samsung’s strategy to turn smartphones into multi-agent AI environments, where multiple AI assistants operate within the same device rather than relying on a single default system.

The update arrives as smartphone makers compete to define how artificial intelligence becomes the primary interface for interacting with mobile devices, shifting competition beyond hardware performance toward AI ecosystems and assistant choice.

Unlike traditional assistant integrations, Perplexity will receive system-level access to core Samsung apps—including Notes, Calendar, Gallery, Reminder, and Clock—allowing it to perform contextual actions across device workflows.

The change affects smartphone users, developers, and AI platform providers as assistant selection increasingly shapes how people search, organize information, and interact with their phones.

Here’s what this means: Samsung is betting that future smartphone loyalty may depend less on hardware specifications and more on which devices give users control over their AI experience.

Samsung’s integration allows users to invoke multiple AI assistants depending on their needs. In addition to Bixby and Gemini, users will now be able to call on Perplexity directly through voice interaction by saying “hey, Plex.”

Unlike a traditional app integration, Perplexity will operate with expanded operating system permissions. According to Samsung, the assistant will be able to access:

This level of access enables Perplexity to perform contextual actions rather than simply answering questions, allowing the assistant to act as an active participant in device workflows.

Samsung’s approach is based on the idea that users may prefer different AI systems depending on the task. Some assistants may excel at search and reasoning, while others specialize in device control or productivity features.

By allowing multiple agents to coexist within the operating system, Samsung is attempting to give users flexibility in choosing which AI assistant becomes central to their daily interactions.

The company appears to be betting that users will form preferences—or even long-term attachments—to specific AI assistants. Enabling personalization at the assistant level could become a competitive advantage as AI increasingly mediates how people interact with their phones.

This strategy also positions Samsung differently from competitors that emphasize tightly controlled single-assistant ecosystems.

Samsung is expected to provide additional details about Galaxy AI and its multi-agent vision at its upcoming Galaxy Unpacked event scheduled for February 25th.

The event may clarify:

Further announcements are likely to outline Samsung’s long-term plan for AI as the primary interface layer for mobile computing.

Viewers can watch the Galaxy Unpacked event live on Samsung’s official YouTube broadcast February 25th at 10:00am PT.

Q: What is Samsung adding to Galaxy AI?
A: Samsung is integrating Perplexity AI as a built-in assistant that users can activate alongside Bixby and Google Gemini within the Galaxy AI platform.

Q: How do users activate Perplexity?
A: Galaxy S26 users will be able to summon the assistant using the voice command “hey, Plex.”

Q: Why is Samsung supporting multiple AI assistants instead of one?
A: Samsung believes users may prefer different AI systems for different tasks, so enabling multiple assistants allows people to choose the AI that best fits their needs rather than relying on a single default assistant.

Q: Is Perplexity just an app on Galaxy devices?
A: No. Perplexity will receive system-level access to Samsung apps, allowing it to interact directly with device features and workflows.

Q: What apps can Perplexity access?
A: Samsung says the assistant will integrate with Samsung Notes, Calendar, Clock, Gallery, Reminder, and selected third-party applications.

Samsung’s announcement highlights how smartphones are evolving into environments where multiple AI systems operate simultaneously rather than competing for exclusive control.

Who should care: Smartphone users, mobile developers, AI platform companies, and device manufacturers should pay attention as AI assistants increasingly become the primary interface through which users search, organize information, and control their devices.

Why it matters now: As AI assistants begin mediating everyday digital interactions, control over the assistant layer may influence app discovery, user behavior, and ecosystem loyalty. Supporting multiple agents introduces competition directly inside the operating system, potentially reshaping how users choose platforms.

What decision this affects: Technology companies must now decide whether future devices should prioritize tightly controlled single-assistant ecosystems or open environments that allow competing AI systems to coexist and specialize.

The next generation of smartphones may be defined less by the apps they run and more by which AI agents users trust to run the phone itself.

Editor’s Note: This article was created by Alicia Shapiro, CMO of AiNews.com, with writing, image, and idea-generation support from ChatGPT, an AI assistant. However, the final perspective and editorial choices are solely Alicia Shapiro’s. Special thanks to ChatGPT for assistance with research and editorial support in crafting this article.