Samsung appears to be laying the groundwork

 Samsung appears to be laying the groundwork for a new phase of AI interaction on its Galaxy smartphones—one that could significantly change how users access intelligence-driven features on their devices. According to recent industry reports and code-level findings, the South Korean tech giant is testing a deeper, system-level integration of the Perplexity AI assistant, potentially positioning it as a hands-free, voice-activated companion across future Galaxy models.

A new AI voice experience on Galaxy devices

Unlike conventional app-based AI tools that require manual activation, Samsung’s reported implementation of Perplexity goes a step further. The assistant may be accessible through a dedicated wake phrase—rumoured to be something like “Hey Plex”—allowing users to invoke it without touching their phone. This would place Perplexity in the same category as established voice assistants, but with a stronger emphasis on AI-powered search, reasoning, and contextual answers rather than basic command execution.

If rolled out widely, this would represent a shift in Samsung’s AI strategy. Rather than relying solely on its in-house solutions or existing Android assistants, Samsung may be experimenting with a multi-assistant ecosystem, giving users access to more specialised AI tools optimised for discovery, research, and real-time information retrieval.

Clues hidden in Android app code

The strongest evidence of this development comes from a detailed teardown of the Perplexity app’s Android code. Analysts have discovered references that point toward hotword detection, including the ability to activate the assistant even when the phone’s display is turned off. This suggests Samsung is testing an always-available AI model—one designed to respond instantly, without requiring the user to unlock their device or open an app.

Such functionality typically requires deep access to system resources, which implies close collaboration between Samsung and Perplexity. The presence of Samsung-specific system hooks in the code further supports the idea that this is not a generic Android feature, but one tailored specifically for Galaxy smartphones.

How voice activation may be set up

Based on the code references, users would likely need to go through an opt-in process before using the voice trigger. This could include granting microphone access, agreeing to voice data collection, and recording a short voice sample to help the system recognise and authenticate the speaker. The setup process also appears to support deleting and re-recording voice data, giving users some control over their stored information.

Interestingly, the feature may rely exclusively on the phone’s built-in microphones. If Bluetooth accessories such as wireless earbuds or headphones are connected, users could be asked to disconnect them before enabling the hotword. This limitation suggests that accurate wake-word detection may currently depend on tightly controlled hardware conditions, at least in early versions of the feature.

Deeper ties to Samsung’s voice framework

Additional technical references hint that Perplexity’s voice activation could be linked to Samsung’s existing voice recognition infrastructure. Rather than operating independently, the assistant may plug into Samsung’s broader system-level voice services, allowing it to function reliably in the background while consuming minimal power.

If true, this approach would allow Samsung to maintain control over performance, battery efficiency, and privacy safeguards—key concerns when enabling always-listening features on smartphones.

When could this feature arrive?

While Samsung has not officially confirmed any of these details, reports suggest that Perplexity may come preinstalled on select future Galaxy devices. The most likely window for launch appears to be alongside One UI 8.5, which is expected to debut with the Galaxy S26 series early next year.

If the integration launches as anticipated, it would mark Perplexity’s first major system-level partnership with a smartphone manufacturer. For Samsung, it could also signal a broader strategy to diversify its AI offerings and give users more choice in how they interact with intelligent assistants on their devices.

Why this matters

This potential integration goes beyond adding “yet another AI app.” A voice-triggered, always-available Perplexity assistant could reshape how users search for information, ask complex questions, and receive real-time insights—without relying on traditional search engines or browser-based workflows.

For users, it could mean faster, more conversational access to knowledge. For Samsung, it represents a strategic move to differentiate Galaxy devices in an increasingly crowded AI-driven smartphone market

Whether “Hey Plex” becomes a standard phrase for Galaxy users remains to be seen, but the signs suggest Samsung is actively exploring new ways to make AI more natural, accessible, and deeply embedded into everyday smartphone use. 

By Advik Gupta