Perplexity AI is poised to make significant inroads into the Android AI assistant market with plans to become the default digital assistant on Motorola smartphones and potentially on Samsung devices as well. This development signals a shifting landscape in AI integration on mobile platforms, where Perplexity aims to challenge established players such as Google’s Gemini and Samsung’s Bixby.

According to a report by Bloomberg, Perplexity AI has secured a partnership with Motorola, which is expected to be formally announced at Motorola’s forthcoming event on 24 April. At this event, the company will reveal its next-generation foldable Razr smartphones. These new devices are slated to feature a custom-tailored version of the Perplexity assistant, specifically optimised for the foldable format. Motorola intends to heavily promote this assistant as an alternative to Google’s Gemini, marking a strategic move in enhancing user experience with AI-driven assistance.

In parallel, talks between Perplexity and Samsung are reportedly ongoing but remain in preliminary stages. Samsung, which has maintained a long-standing partnership with Google and developed its own AI assistant Bixby, is reportedly exploring potential collaborations with Perplexity. Samsung has previously invested in Perplexity through its venture capital arm, Samsung Next, and is contemplating a further investment that would increase Perplexity’s valuation. Should these negotiations advance, Perplexity’s AI assistant could be pre-installed on Samsung Galaxy smartphones or featured prominently through the Galaxy Store. However, industry observers suggest that completely replacing Google’s Gemini on Samsung devices is unlikely in the near term. More feasibly, Samsung users may be given the option to select between Gemini and Perplexity at device setup.

Perplexity AI, founded in 2022, has quickly gained attention as a formidable competitor in the artificial intelligence arena. It is known for delivering concise, conversational responses powered by real-time web access, combining the advantages of a search engine with generative AI capabilities. The platform utilises advanced models developed by OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google itself. Perplexity is accessible across multiple platforms including Android, iOS, desktop environments, macOS applications, and as a Chrome extension. The company offers both free and premium service tiers, with the premium “Perplexity Pro” plan available at $20 per month. Additionally, Perplexity is developing new features such as a “Circle to Search”-style tool specifically for Android devices.

The TechJuice report highlights that Perplexity’s rapidly advancing technology and strategic partnerships could reshape the user experience on Android smartphones, particularly with Motorola’s upcoming foldable devices and possibly Samsung’s flagship Galaxy series. The forthcoming announcements and device launches in April will provide further clarity on how Perplexity will influence the AI assistant market in the months ahead.

Source: Noah Wire Services