Samsung is looking beyond Google’s Gemini as it sharpens its AI strategy for the next generation of Galaxy phones. The tech giant is now in active discussions with OpenAI and Perplexity, aiming to integrate their AI assistants into the upcoming Galaxy S26 lineup.
Choi Won-Joon, president and COO of Samsung’s mobile division said that the company is open to any vendor offering “the best user experiences.” That could mean a shift away from relying solely on Google’s Gemini, which currently powers the Galaxy AI suite launched with the Galaxy S24 series.
Perplexity appears to be the frontrunner. Reports from June suggest Samsung is nearing an investment deal that would bring both Perplexity’s app and AI assistant to its devices. While OpenAI is also in the mix, there’s no talk of Samsung putting money behind ChatGPT’s maker—yet.
The company’s move hints at a broader diversification of its AI strategy, as it positions the Galaxy S26 as more than just a hardware upgrade. It’s also still weighing processor options, with both Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 “Elite 2” and Samsung’s own Exynos 2600 being tested for the S26 range.
On Apple’s rumored entry into foldables, Choi welcomed the idea, saying it would benefit the entire industry—a notable stance from a company that has led the foldable market since its early days.
Samsung’s next-gen strategy now appears to hinge on three fronts: AI partnerships, processor decisions, and maintaining an edge in foldables. As competition intensifies, Samsung isn’t just betting on specs—it’s betting on better AI.
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