Samsung’s long-mocked voice assistant, Bixby, might finally shed its underdog status. A fresh leak reveals it’s integrating Perplexity AI for smarter, browser-free answers, potentially arriving in the One UI 8.5 update alongside the Galaxy S26 series.
The buzz started with an X post from leaker @thatjoshguy69, who shared APK footage of the revamped Bixby in action. Instead of dumping generic Google links, it delivers concise summaries with cited sources – Perplexity’s signature move. Picture asking about historical events or weather details: Bixby pops up a sleek card with the info right there, blending seamlessly into your phone’s interface.
Welcome to 2026 everyone! Let's start this year off with a banger. A look at the new Bixby, powered by Perplexity.
— That Josh Guy (@thatjoshguy69) January 1, 2026
Thanks to @achultra for hooking me up with the apk pic.twitter.com/sKZQlEX6w7
Bixby hasn’t ditched its roots, though. It still nails device controls like adjusting brightness or alarms, then seamlessly hands off complex queries to Perplexity. The demo video shows it happening fluidly, without awkward delays.
This upgrade couldn’t come at a better time. With Google’s Gemini AI dominating Android phones – including Samsung’s – Bixby risked fading into irrelevance. Perplexity’s no-fluff responses could give Samsung an edge, appealing to users tired of chatty bots. Early poll reactions on PhoneArena lean positive: 40% say they’ll use it for Perplexity’s answers, and another 40% if it’s quicker than Gemini.
Expect this to debut with the Galaxy S26 launch later this year, making Bixby a one-press research powerhouse. Will it win back users who remapped the Bixby button years ago? The video suggests yes – if speed holds up.