Inside Samsung’s Plan to Bring AI-Powered Bixby to One UI 8.5. Devices
In Focus
- Samsung has integrated Perplexity AI into its voice assistant, Bixby
- Bixby update is expected to launch alongside Samsung S26 in February 2026
- AI update makes user interactions with Galaxy devices more intuitive
- The new Bixby understands natural language requests
Samsung has upgraded Bixby into an AI-powered assistant. According to Gadgets360, the new version of Bixby is expected on eligible Galaxy devices alongside the Android 16-based One UI 8.5 update. The AI update boosts the capabilities of the Samsung voice assistant and introduces new features.
Bixby Update is Part of Samsung’s Galaxy AI Plan
Bixby One UI 8.5 update is at the heart of Samsung’s plan to bring Galaxy AI features to 800 million devices this year. The AI update makes user interactions with Galaxy devices more intuitive. It allows the voice assistant to use Perplexity AI’s search function to respond to questions submitted by users.
With the One UI 8.5 update, Bixby can access information from different online sources and display the results on the user interface. Users can choose to search for more information using the relevant links displayed on the chat window.
The voice assistant now works the same way Apple did after ChatGPT was integrated into Siri. Currently, iPhones redirect users to ChatGPT for complicated queries. Recently, Apple signed a deal with Google to power its voice assistant, Siri, with Gemini AI.
Capabilities of the AI-Powered Bixby
Besides the Perplexity AI-powered search, the update allows Bixby to serve as a conversational device agent that understands natural language requests. Users can simply explain what they want in everyday language. Bixby will understand their intent and automatically adjust the appropriate settings.
Other Samsung AI features that users can expect to find in Bixby include:
- Execution of task commands to reduce user time and effort
- Ability to control phone settings
- Suggesting fixes to device settings
For instance, the updated Bixby can enable settings that keep a smartphone screen on when a user says, “I don’t want the screen to turn off while I’m looking at it”.
Bixby can also display options such as accidental touch protection for users to enable when asked, “Why does my phone turn on in my pocket?”
News of Samsung Bixby and Perplexity integration first surfaced in December 2025, after several users posted screenshots showing the smart assistant referring queries to the AI answer engine.
Samsung to Roll Out Bixby in Select Markets
Initially, Samsung will introduce the upgraded Bixby in select markets. The new Bixby will launch alongside the Samsung S26 series, which is expected in February 2026.
Samsung integrated Perplexity into Bixby a year after the South Korean smartphone maker teamed up with Google to launch Galaxy S25 in January 2025. The move pushed Bixby into a secondary role and made Gemini the default voice assistant in Galaxy smartphones.
