The world of smartphone AI is heating up, and it seems Samsung might be making a surprising play by making a deal with Perplexity. Recent reports suggest the tech giant is not only looking to invest in Perplexity AI but could also integrate it as the default AI assistant on the upcoming Galaxy S26 series in 2026. This would be a significant shift, as it means Perplexity could potentially replace Google’s own Gemini as the primary AI out of the box, pushing Gemini to an optional role.
This news, if true, has sparked a lot of conversation. Why would Samsung, a long-time, close partner of Google in the Android ecosystem, potentially pivot to a newer player like Perplexity for such a critical default integration? Let’s dive into the intriguing layers of this potential deal and what it could mean for the future of AI on our phones.
Perplexity: A Rising Star in the AI Phone Assistant Game?
Perplexity AI has been quietly, yet steadily, gaining traction in the mobile AI space. Many focus on bigger names like Google’s Gemini or OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Meanwhile, Perplexity has been carving out its niche. This platform has proven to be a very compelling alternative in the AI segment, which has led to big funding rounds. It has also caught the attention of big tech names.
Their potential deal with Samsung isn’t an isolated incident. Perplexity has already made headlines with its successful integration into Motorola’s latest phones, providing a robust AI search experience. Beyond that, the company is also working with a European carrier on an “AI phone,” further cementing its presence in the mobile hardware landscape. These partnerships indicate that Perplexity is not just a fringe player. Anthropic—parent company of Perplexity—is actively positioning its chatbot as a serious contender for default AI assistant experiences on smartphones. It’s also defying the notion that only the biggest AI giants can offer advanced—and really useful—features.
The Possible Motive Behind Samsung’s Perplexity deal: Google’s Clever Strategy
Now, for the most intriguing part: why would Samsung, given its deep ties with Google, even consider this move? The answer might lie in Google’s delicate dance with antitrust regulators.
Google has been facing significant scrutiny, with adverse rulings in areas like AdTech and online search. These legal challenges could severely limit the strategic moves Google might typically make. One such move, which would seem logical from a technology standpoint, would be an even deeper, default integration of Gemini into a dominant Android manufacturer like Samsung.
Think about it: Samsung and Google have been close collaborators for years. Samsung has often received early access to Google’s cutting-edge AI features. Notably, “Circle to Search” even debuted on Galaxy flagship devices before Google’s own Pixel phones. Considering Samsung doesn’t have a sophisticated, advanced AI of its own for smartphones, you’d naturally expect a deeper embrace of Gemini.
In recent months, we’ve seen other major Android brands like OPPO, Xiaomi, Honor, and OnePlus announce deeper Gemini integration with their own proprietary apps. This allows Gemini to access data directly from these manufacturer-specific applications. Samsung itself has done something similar with One UI 7. The expectation is that more manufacturers will follow this trend.
Logically, Samsung could have taken this even further. Imagine Bixby, Samsung’s current, relatively “dumb” assistant, being supercharged with the brainpower of Gemini. This would be a massive leap in capability for Bixby, turning it into a truly intelligent, deeply integrated assistant within the Galaxy ecosystem. Samsung could also integrate Google’s AI into system-level functions. The possibilities are countless, including camera features or even specialized hardware ones, creating a seamless and powerful AI experience exclusive to Galaxy users.
More Competition in Mobile AI is Convenient for Google
However, despite this seemingly logical path, Samsung appears to be considering an agreement with Perplexity. Why? This is where Google’s antitrust predicament could be playing a crucial role. A deep, default, OS-level integration of Google’s AI into Samsung Galaxy phones and tablets, which command a gigantic global market share, would raise another red flag for antitrust watchdogs. Google has already lost cases in the online search and AdTech segments (with appeals or remedy agreements pending). So, it’s not a stretch to imagine a similar investigation into potentially anticompetitive practices in the mobile AI space.
In this climate, Google might view such a direct, deep integration as too risky. Therefore, it might actually welcome major manufacturers like Samsung (and Motorola) striking deals with Perplexity. Why? Because it sends a powerful message to regulators: there is genuine competition and real choice in the mobile AI segment. This would help Google argue that the market isn’t stifled by its dominance.
Once the regulatory heat subsides, perhaps in a few years, it’s entirely plausible that manufacturers like Samsung could then pursue deeper integrations with Google’s AI without triggering the same alarm bells. Google would likely see this as a positive long-term outcome. By that time, the firm would have already tackled the immediate antitrust pressure.
This theory even extends to other Android brands. We might suspect that some Android manufacturers—like Motorola—are pursuing deals with Perplexity, not just out of independent choice. It could possibly be a product of the quiet counsel of Google itself. Perplexity, being a smaller company compared to OpenAI’s ChatGPT, might offer more “moldable” agreement terms. So, these partnerships are strategically appealing in the short and medium term. A deal with OpenAI will likely require much longer commitments. GPT models’ native integration into Android phones would also be a potentially major threat to the big G.
Google’s Big Investments in Perplexity’s Parent Company Reinforce the Theory
There’s another fact that fuels this strategic narrative. Google has already invested more than $3 billion in Anthropic, Perplexity’s parent company. The huge figure translates into Google owning a 14% stake in the AI company. This financial tie-in fundamentally strengthens the argument that these partnerships are, in fact, positive for Google, especially in light of its ongoing antitrust challenges. Google’s investment gives it a vested interest in Anthropic’s (and by extension, Perplexity’s) success. This subtly supports the narrative that the AI ecosystem is thriving and competitive, with various players, rather than being dominated by one entity.
In essence, Google might be playing a clever game of chess. By having a direct financial stake in a rising competitor like Perplexity and seemingly allowing it to gain ground with key partners like Samsung, Google could be skillfully deflecting immediate antitrust scrutiny while still indirectly influencing the mobile AI landscape. Only time will tell if this intricate strategic dance plays out as expected.
