Samsung is poised to significantly enhance its digital assistant, Bixby, ahead of the anticipated launch of the Galaxy S26. Reports indicate that the company is testing a new, Perplexity-powered upgrade that aims to elevate Bixby’s capabilities beyond its current limitations, which have often placed it a step behind competitors like Google Gemini. Traditionally, Bixby has excelled in basic phone controls but struggled with more complex inquiries. The introduction of real-time web data and contextual citations through this upgrade may finally narrow this gap.
Evidence of this upgrade surfaced recently through a screenshot shared by a user on X, revealing Bixby answering an intricate question with Perplexity cited as the source. This feature, currently in the One UI 8.5 beta, suggests that Samsung is in the testing phase of what could be a significant improvement. Users have reported that Bixby was able to provide a detailed, informative response to a weather-related question posed in French, rather than the usual brief or vague replies.
This new capability could address one of Bixby’s long-standing shortcomings: its effectiveness in handling detailed or research-based queries. While it has been proficient in executing straightforward commands, the integration of Perplexity appears to allow the assistant to tackle more advanced questions, improving user experience without compromising its ability to manage system tasks.
However, the feature’s rollout seems to be selective, as it was not accessible on all devices running the beta version, including the Galaxy S25 Ultra. This selectivity hints that the upgrade is still under development and may not be available to all users at launch.
Samsung’s strategy to integrate a Perplexity-powered Bixby upgrade with the Galaxy S26 aligns with its broader vision for artificial intelligence across its product ecosystem. Previously, users of Galaxy devices were granted free access to Perplexity Pro, and Samsung has already incorporated Perplexity responses into its smart TVs and home appliances. Translating this intelligence to mobile devices now appears to be a logical progression.
If fully realized, this upgrade could elevate Bixby’s functionality, transforming it from a simple voice assistant into a more versatile tool capable of handling everyday questions. This development could also provide users with a viable alternative to Google Gemini, particularly for web-based inquiries. Though Samsung has yet to make an official announcement regarding this feature, more updates are expected as the company approaches its flagship device launch.
As anticipation builds for the Galaxy S26, technology enthusiasts and users alike are eager to see how this potential Bixby enhancement will reshape the landscape of AI-driven assistants on mobile devices. Samsung’s ongoing commitment to innovation in AI continues to position it as a significant player in a rapidly evolving market.
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