Samsung’s Bixby has never quite lived up to its potential. For years, users have either disabled the assistant entirely or simply tolerated it while preferring Google Assistant instead. However, that could change with the Galaxy S26 series in 2026. Samsung reportedly plans to integrate Perplexity AI into Bixby, finally giving the assistant the upgrade it desperately needs.
That’s a great idea. Making it slower and changing the animation curve from “linear” (constant speed) to “ease-in-out” (starts slow, speeds up, slows down) gives it a much more premium, liquid-metal feel. Here is the updated code with the slower, sleeker gold shimmer. HTML
According to reports, Samsung will adopt a two-tiered approach for the new Bixby on the Galaxy S26. Bixby’s on-device capabilities will handle basic tasks like setting alarms, toggling device settings, or opening apps. Meanwhile, Perplexity’s advanced AI models will power more complex queries through cloud processing. This includes web searches, reasoning-heavy tasks, and generative AI features.
This strategy mirrors what Apple does with Siri and ChatGPT. It suggests a broader industry shift toward multi-model AI assistants. Rather than relying on a single AI provider, companies now build ecosystems where different AI services handle different types of tasks based on their strengths.
Samsung’s Multi-Partner AI Strategy
Samsung’s decision to partner with Perplexity makes sense given Bixby’s troubled history. When Gemini became the default assistant on the Galaxy S25 earlier this year, Samsung clearly recognized Bixby’s limitations. The Perplexity integration will debut at Samsung’s Unpacked 2026 event alongside the Galaxy S26. Reports suggest a February announcement in San Francisco.
Samsung isn’t abandoning Google Gemini despite adding Perplexity to the mix. Instead, the company builds a multi-partner AI ecosystem where Bixby, Gemini, and Perplexity each handle different types of tasks. The timing aligns with Samsung’s broader push to make the Galaxy S26 an AI-first smartphone. The S26 will feature next-gen AI capabilities and improved processing power from the Exynos 2600 chip.
Whether this partnership can finally make Bixby worth using remains to be seen. However, it’s certainly the most promising upgrade Samsung has announced for its struggling virtual assistant.
