The battle of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the smartphone world has reached a new milestone. Samsung, which has long faced criticism over its voice assistant Bixby, is now preparing for a comeback that could shake the entire market. Leaked reports and the One UI 8.5 beta update suggest that Samsung has partnered with the popular AI search engine Perplexity AI.
This partnership will not only change the image of Bixby but also place it directly in competition with Google Gemini and Apple Intelligence. It is believed that this new avatar will be officially unveiled with the launch of the Galaxy S26 Series.
One UI 8.5 Leak: The Union of Bixby and Perplexity AI
Recently, a few videos and screenshots of One UI 8.5 beta (version 4.0.50.4) were leaked on the social media platform ‘X’. These leaks have created a buzz in the tech community. Earlier, Bixby was limited to tasks like changing phone settings or setting alarms, but now it can answer complex questions by searching the internet and presenting information along with sources.
In the leaked video, when a user asked a data-driven question, Bixby presented accurate information in a clean ‘card-style interface’. Below the answer, a small Perplexity AI icon and the cited sources were visible. This indicates that Samsung is shifting its focus from ‘generative AI’ to a ‘search-based AI’ approach.
Bixby vs New Bixby: What Will Change?
To understand Samsung’s new strategy, we need to compare the old and new systems. The table below highlights these differences clearly:
| Feature | Old Bixby | New Bixby (One UI 8.5) |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Source | Pre-programmed data | Perplexity AI (real-time search) |
| Answer accuracy | Limited and basic | Research-based and fact-checked |
| Interface | Full screen/voice bubble | Minimal card-style (Hover UI) |
| Privacy | Standard | Hybrid (Device + Cloud security) |
Research-Based Answers and Hybrid Model
The biggest strength of Perplexity AI is its ‘credibility’. It doesn’t just give answers; it also shows where the answers come from. Samsung has divided Bixby’s functioning into two main parts:
- On-Device Tasks: Tasks like lowering brightness, controlling the camera, or opening apps will run locally on the phone’s processor without requiring an internet connection.
- Knowledge-Based Queries: Questions related to history, current affairs, or science will be processed through Perplexity AI’s cloud engine.
This Hybrid AI Model ensures that user privacy is maintained while still providing accurate information. According to experts, the deal between Samsung and Perplexity had been in the works since mid-2025 and is now part of the Samsung Galaxy AI ecosystem.
Galaxy S26: New Leak Reports
Reports from sources like @thatjoshguy69 and @achultra claim that this feature is currently being tested on the Galaxy S25 Series in beta mode. However, its full-fledged and stable version will likely be unveiled during the Galaxy S26 Unpacked Event in February 2026.
Other expected features coming with One UI 8.5 include:
- Privacy Display: AI-based screen privacy control.
- Storage Share Assistant: A smart tool for managing files efficiently.
- Auto Content Writer: An in-built AI writer for composing emails and messages.
Why This Is a ‘Game-Changer’ for Samsung
Over the past few years, Google Gemini and Apple Intelligence have redefined what voice assistants can do. Bixby was often seen as “outdated” and “less smart.” But with Perplexity AI integration, Samsung now has a tool that could challenge Google’s dominance in search capabilities.
“Perplexity’s philosophy is — ‘No nonsense, just facts.’ This very vision will attract Samsung’s premium users who prefer accurate, ad-free answers.”
Challenges and the Road Ahead
Although this update sounds revolutionary, Samsung still faces a few major challenges:
- Multilingual Support: Understanding Hinglish (Hindi+English) in countries like India will be a major test for Bixby.
- Latency: Response time from the cloud must be minimized to ensure a smooth user experience.
- Data Cost: Continuous cloud processing may lead to increased data usage, posing an additional concern.
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Utkarsh works as a Sub-Editor at 1Tak News. Technology and gadgets are his main beats, and he also tracks automobiles. A graduate of Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth, he began his journalism career in 2023 and has built experience across digital media platforms like 1Tak. Besides technology, he also has considerable experience covering national affairs, politics, research, and international news.
