Samsung is making a major change to its voice assistant. Bixby is preparing to receive one of its biggest updates to date, relying on Perplexity AI's artificial intelligence to stop being that extra feature that many users barely used and become a much more useful tool in everyday life.
In recent weeks, leaks, screenshots, and videos have appeared on social media showing how this new version will work. The idea is simple: Bixby will continue to control the phone and the classic One UI functionsBut when the user asks more complex or informative questions, the assistant will turn to Perplexity's AI-powered search engine to provide more elaborate and sourced answers.
What will the new Bixby with Perplexity AI be like in One UI 8.5?
The first clues came through the One UI 8.5 beta, the software that Samsung is testing on the Galaxy S25 series before the commercial launch of the Galaxy S26. Users of this beta have detected that Bixby, in its version 4.0.50.4, begins to show different behavior when presented with questions that go beyond turning on a flashlight or setting an alarm.
Instead of simply offering basic data, The assistant features a new interface in the form of clean cards.These cards, very much in line with the overall design of One UI 8.5, include a summary answer, links to the sources consulted, and, in some cases, practical recommendations based on the context of the question.
One example that is repeated in several leaks is that of weather forecasts. Previously, Bixby simply returned the temperature and the forecast.Now, the version supported by Perplexity analyzes the information and suggests concrete actions: it recommends wearing a jacket, considering taking an umbrella, or taking into account the wind and the perceived temperature.
These screenshots also show a small indicator of Perplexity's involvement. At the bottom of the response there is a button or reference to PerplexityThis reveals that the assistant has used an external engine to build the information, similar to how Siri delegates to ChatGPT in some contexts.
What does Perplexity AI bring to Bixby compared to other assistants?
Samsung's move comes at a time when Google is heavily pushing Gemini as the default assistant on most Android phones, including Galaxy devices. Gemini has already been integrated with several of Samsung's own apps and services.which had led many to think that Bixby would end up relegated to a definitive background role.
However, the company appears to have opted for a hybrid approach. Bixby maintains its advantage of being deeply integrated into the system. and have direct access to One UI's internal settings, while Perplexity handles everything related to web searches, information queries, and questions that require some reasoning.
Perplexity AI has carved out a niche for itself precisely because of its way of working: It focuses on providing clear, concise information accompanied by sources.It's more like an advanced search result than an endless conversation. This model fits with the idea of ​​an assistant that responds quickly and accurately to specific questions, without forcing the user to read paragraphs and paragraphs of text.
In practice, this means that Bixby is no longer limited to executing commands on the phoneIt can answer historical questions, current affairs queries, product comparisons, or everyday questions (from whether it's advisable to wear a coat to what a certain procedure entails), relying on Perplexity's AI to search and filter relevant information in real time.
Compared to other assistants like Gemini, Google Assistant, or Siri, The combination of Bixby and Perplexity gives Samsung a somewhat more independent position., while coexisting with initiatives such as the Microsoft Copilot integration on televisionsThe brand continues to collaborate closely with Google, but avoids relying entirely on a single AI provider, something especially relevant at a time when artificial intelligence has become a differentiating factor in high-end mobile phones in Europe and globally.
Availability: Which phones will have Bixby with Perplexity and when
The integration of Perplexity into Bixby is not yet official, but the leaks agree on several key points. Currently, the new features are being tested in the One UI 8.5 beta., available for the Galaxy S25 family (Galaxy S25, S25 Plus and S25 Ultra) in select markets.
Those responsible for leaking the information indicate that The function remains hidden in the code And not all beta users have it enabled, which is common when Samsung tests sensitive new features before announcing them. In fact, both the new Bixby interface and the Perplexity integration are described as features "under development."
The deployment plan clearly points to the company's next flagship. One UI 8.5 is scheduled to debut in stable form with the Galaxy S26 serieswhose presentation is expected in the first quarter of the year. Everything indicates that it will be at that time that Samsung will openly discuss the "new Bixby" enhanced with external AI.
From then on, it is common for the brand to not only release major software updates in new models. It is expected that the update will later be extended to older devices.Starting with the Galaxy S25 range itself and continuing with other high-end devices and perhaps some mid-range devices compatible with One UI 8.5.
In Europe and Spain, where Samsung has a very large user base for the Galaxy S and Galaxy Z series, This integration could happen in stages.Following the usual update schedule by country and model. In any case, those participating in beta programs are usually the first to try these features before they are released to the general public.
A new interface and more context in Bixby's responses
Beyond the artificial intelligence engine, the user experience also changes. The new Bixby adopts an "overlay" design on cardsThis panel overlays the current screen without being intrusive. It displays the main answer at the top and, below, links to the sources consulted or related additional information.
In the case of weather-related queries, the leaks show direct recommendations such as "you should wear a jacket"along with details such as the wind chill, wind speed, and probability of rain. In other words, it doesn't just list data, but interprets it and translates it into practical advice.
This philosophy extends to other types of questions. Although it hasn't yet been seen in such detail in all scenarios, The idea is for the user to receive clear summaries., accompanied by links to expand on the information if desired, and not so much vague answers without support.
In addition, Bixby seems to automatically switch between its modes. When the request is something simple and related to the system (set an alarm, activate airplane mode, change the brightness)It continues to use the classic functions integrated into One UI. When it detects that the query is informational, factual, or requires searching for data on the internet, it uses Perplexity without the user having to do anything special.
Explicit references to this logic have been seen in the One UI 8.5 code, reinforcing the idea that Samsung wants the experience to be as seamless as possibleThe user speaks to Bixby and the system itself decides whether to resolve it locally or if it needs to use Perplexity's AI.
Bixby, Gemini and Samsung's strategy in the Android ecosystem
The arrival of Gemini has marked a turning point in the Android universe. In many recent Galaxy devices, Gemini has become the go-to assistant for generative AI tasks.such as text summaries, advanced image editing, or content creation, which left Bixby in a precarious situation.
For a while, there was speculation that Samsung might gradually shut down its own assistant. However, The leaks about Bixby with Perplexity point to a different approachIt's not about choosing one or the other, but about dividing roles. Gemini remains a key component in many of the system's and apps' AI functions, while Bixby reinforces its role as an integrated assistant, now with improved search and reasoning capabilities.
This strategy also aligns with what Samsung has been doing in other products. The brand's televisions had already incorporated Perplexity to answer complex queriesAnd now that same approach is being applied to Galaxy smartphones. In this way, the company is building a relatively consistent AI experience across its different devices.
For European and Spanish users, accustomed to living with Google Assistant, Alexa and Siri, Bixby's revamp could represent a real alternative within the phone itself, especially if the company manages to balance privacy, the quality of the responses, and integration with the rest of the services.
Remaining challenges: privacy, reliability, and user adoption
Bixby improving is one thing; users giving it a second chance is another. Many Galaxy owners in Europe have ignored or disabled Bixby for years., sometimes due to unsatisfactory initial experiences or because they preferred to stick with Google Assistant.
To change that perception, the integration with Perplexity will have to demonstrate consistent results. One of Perplexity's strengths is the transparency of its answers.by indicating the sources it uses, but like any web-based engine, it can also make mistakes or display outdated data if the source information is unreliable.
Samsung will have to clearly explain how it manages data when Bixby uses Perplexity, especially in a regulatory environment like Europe's, where Privacy and data protection are very sensitive issuesFor now, the leaks have not detailed what control options the user will have or how queries requiring an internet connection will be handled.
It also remains to be seen how this new feature will fit in with other company services, such as Samsung Account, Samsung Cloud, or the various private modes included in One UI. Whether Bixby will be used more for personal or professional inquiriesIt will be important to have options to adjust what is saved, what is synced, and what is not.
Finally, there is the communication aspect. Although the technological improvement is remarkable, Many users will need to see clear and simple examples. about what the new Bixby can do for them, beyond headlines about AI. This educational effort, both in Europe and in other markets, will be key to ensuring that the integration with Perplexity doesn't remain just a curiosity for enthusiasts.
With everything that has been leaked so far, the picture that is emerging is of a Bixby quite different from the one we knew. The assistant evolves from an almost exclusive role of controlling the device. towards a role closer to that of an intelligent search engine integrated into the phone, supported by Perplexity to deliver richer, more contextualized answers with sources. It remains to be seen how it performs in real-world use and which countries will receive these new features first, but if Samsung delivers on what the One UI 8.5 beta suggests, the next Galaxy phones could debut one of the biggest transformations of its assistant in years.
