Samsung has officially unveiled the Galaxy S26 series including the S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra at its Galaxy Unpacked event in February 2026, positioning it as the first “agentic AI phone”.
This means the device goes beyond passive AI responses; like answering questions to actively perform tasks on the user’s behalf—handling multi-step workflows, interacting with apps, and executing actions autonomously.
The phone features a multi-agent AI ecosystem under Galaxy AI, integrating three main AI systems: An upgraded, more conversational Bixby; Samsung’s in-house assistant, now powered in part by Perplexity’s APIs for search and reasoning.
Google’s Gemini for advanced agentic capabilities, such as autonomously operating third-party apps like booking rides via Uber. Perplexity as a dedicated third-party AI agent, marking a significant partnership. Perplexity’s integration is particularly deep and system-level—the first time a non-Google company has received such OS-level access on a Samsung device.
A custom wake phrase: “Hey Plex” for hands-free activation. Quick access via side button press-and-hold or other controls. Direct interaction with native Samsung apps like Notes, Calendar, Gallery, Clock, and Reminders; read and write capabilities for seamless multi-step tasks.
Support for select third-party apps. Powering real-time, grounded web search and reasoning across assistants including backend support for Bixby. This setup allows users to choose or switch between agents for different needs, emphasizing flexibility, reduced manual effort, and proactive intelligence.
Samsung describes it as the “beginning of truly agentic AI,” with the phone handling complex background tasks so users focus on results. Perplexity itself highlighted the collaboration as embedding its APIs deeply into the world’s largest Android ecosystem, enabling accurate, orchestrated actions across search, reasoning, and device controls.
The Galaxy S26 series also includes other AI enhancements like improved video editing, noise reduction for calls, and privacy features; a toggleable privacy display on the Ultra model. Pre-orders and expert reviews and unboxings are already circulating following the announcement.
Samsung’s multi-agent approach lets you pick or switch between AI assistants tailored to specific needs, rather than being locked into one like Siri on iPhone or a dominant Gemini on stock Android.
Perplexity stands out for accurate, citation-backed search and reasoning—ideal for research, fact-checking, or complex queries. Its system-level access; first non-Google third-party to get this deep allows it to read/write directly in native apps like Notes, Calendar, Gallery, Clock, and Reminders, enabling seamless multi-step workflows.
Gemini handles true agentic actions, like autonomously navigating third-party apps. Bixby benefits from Perplexity’s backend for better conversational responses and real-time web grounding. This reduces friction in daily tasks: less app-switching, more natural voice commands, and background automation.
Surveys cited by Samsung show 8 in 10 users prefer multiple AI options, so this could make the phone feel like a “trusted companion” that anticipates needs. Privacy-focused users get toggles like the hardware privacy display on the Ultra. Early hands-on impressions suggest Perplexity could be a “sleeper hit” for power users who value grounded answers over creative fluff.
This marks a shift toward an open multi-agent ecosystem on Android, contrasting Apple’s closed “walled garden” Siri approach.Samsung positions Galaxy AI as an “orchestrator” coordinating multiple AIs, reducing reliance on any single provider even as Gemini remains central for many agentic features.
Granting Perplexity OS-level access breaks precedent—previously reserved for first-party tools—signaling Samsung’s push for platform-level innovation that’s inclusive and adaptable. It differentiates Samsung from Google Pixels and could pressure other Android OEMs to follow suit with multi-agent support.
This partnership is a massive validation and exposure boost.Integration into the world’s largest smartphone maker (Samsung) puts Perplexity’s APIs and “answer engine” in hundreds of millions of potential hands—far beyond prior deals like Motorola preloads or niche carriers.
Powering both a dedicated agent (“Hey Plex”) and backend for Bixby elevates Perplexity from niche search tool to core mobile intelligence player. It underscores Perplexity’s strengths in accuracy, orchestration, and non-hallucinating responses, potentially accelerating adoption and partnerships.
The “agentic AI phone” label highlights a pivot from passive chatbots to proactive agents that act autonomously. Expect more multi-agent phones, with possibilities for additional partners. It accelerates the trend of AI as infrastructure—phones become execution platforms where users focus on intent, and agents handle the “how.”
Privacy and security questions arise with deeper app access, though Samsung emphasizes controls and on-device processing where possible. Apple may respond with enhanced Siri agents; Google could expand Gemini’s reach.
The Galaxy S26 doesn’t reinvent the smartphone form factor but redefines its intelligence layer. If agentic features deliver reliably, it could set a new standard for what “smart” means in 2026—turning phones into true personal agents rather than just devices that respond to commands.
For many, Perplexity’s integration might prove the most practical upgrade for everyday productivity and research. Pre-orders are live, with wider availability starting in March—early reviews will soon reveal how these implications play out in real use.
This move signals a shift toward “AI phones” rather than just smartphones, with agentic capabilities that could redefine how users interact with devices daily. If you’re eyeing an upgrade, the Perplexity integration might be a standout “sleeper feature” for research-heavy or search-focused users.
