Samsung is giving Galaxy owners a real choice in which AI runs their phone. The company will add Perplexity as a second system-level agent on upcoming flagship devices, complete with its own “Hey Plex” wake word and side button controls.
The move expands what Samsung calls a “multi-agent ecosystem” inside Galaxy AI. Instead of forcing everyone into one assistant, the company wants users to pick the AI that fits each task. Perplexity is the first confirmed partner, though Samsung hints more could follow.
Press and hold for Perplexity
You’ll soon launch Perplexity just by talking to your phone. The agent responds to “Hey Plex,” making it feel as native as Bixby or Google Assistant. There’s a hardware shortcut too. Press and hold the side button, and Perplexity pops up for quick access.
This isn’t another downloaded app. Samsung builds Perplexity directly into the Galaxy OS so it works in the background and moves seamlessly between tasks. The company calls this a “system-level” approach. The AI understands your context without forcing you to jump between different apps manually.
Why Samsung is opening up its AI playground
The shift matches how people actually use AI. Samsung’s internal research shows nearly 8 in 10 users now rely on more than two types of AI agents depending on the task. You might use one agent for research, another for quick answers, and a third for smart home controls. Samsung wants Galaxy AI to handle all of them without friction.
The company describes Galaxy AI as an “orchestrator” that pulls different agents together into one experience. By partnering with services like Perplexity, Samsung can offer specialized tools while keeping everything integrated. Users get flexibility without losing the seamless feel of the Galaxy ecosystem.
The move also sets Samsung apart from competitors that tightly control their AI stack. Opening up to partners gives Galaxy owners more reasons to stick with the platform.
What you need to know before the switch
Samsung hasn’t said which phones get Perplexity first. The company says it’s coming to “upcoming flagship Galaxy devices,” which likely points to the next Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip models or maybe the Galaxy S series next year. There’s no word on whether existing devices will get the feature in a software update.
You’ll need a Samsung Account for some AI features, and availability varies by region and carrier. The company also includes the standard disclaimer that it can’t guarantee the accuracy of AI output. Still, the shift toward choice is clear. Samsung is betting that options beat a single forced solution.
Watch for more partner announcements in the coming months. The Perplexity integration is just the start.