By Jean Leon
Publication Date: 2025-12-29 14:18:00
Probably many have heard the name of Bixby, the voice assistant on Galaxy devices. For a long time, it seemed like Samsung‘s homegrown assistant was destined to live in the shadow of Google’s Gemini. While Gemini took over the spotlight on Galaxy devices, Bixby felt like a secondary tool relegated to simple system commands. However, recent developments suggest that the company isn’t ready to retire its assistant just yet. Instead, Samsung is giving Bixby a significant AI-powered intelligence boost by integrating Perplexity’s AI search engine.
Samsung partners with Perplexity AI for a Bixby comeback against Gemini
Samsung TVs were the first to show signs of this partnership. Bixby started using Perplexity to handle difficult questions on these devices. That same technology is now quietly making its way to smartphones. People who are testing the One UI 8.5 beta on Galaxy S25 devices have seen a change in how Bixby handles data. Instead of giving simple answers, the assistant now gives answers that are more nuanced and take the situation into account.
For example, when a user asks about the weather, the new Perplexity-powered Bixby doesn’t just show the temperature. It analyzes the forecast to offer practical advice, like suggesting a jacket or an umbrella based on the probability of rain. This shift moves Bixby away from being a simple voice trigger and toward becoming a more capable research assistant.