Perplexity AI, a scrappy San Francisco startup, is shaking things up in the smartphone world.
The company, known for its sharp conversational AI, has inked a deal with Motorola to bring its virtual assistant to the brand’s next wave of devices, with a big reveal expected soon.
On top of that, Perplexity is in talks with Samsung to weave its tech into Galaxy phones—a move that could rattle the cage of Google’s Gemini AI assistant.
Motorola Deal: A Fresh Spin on Smartphones
Motorola, now under Lenovo’s wing, is betting on Perplexity to give its 2025 Razr foldable phones a competitive edge. The plan? Load Perplexity’s AI assistant onto these devices as an alternative to Google’s Gemini, with a custom interface that makes searching and task-handling feel seamless.
Picture this: you’re booking a flight or checking real-time sports scores without juggling a dozen apps. That’s the kind of experience Motorola wants to deliver.
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The partnership will debut at a New York City event, where Motorola is set to show off its revamped Razr lineup.
By offering Perplexity alongside its own AI and Google’s Gemini, Motorola is giving users options—a rare move in a market where one assistant usually calls the shots.
It’s a smart play to stand out, especially as Motorola teams up with T-Mobile on an “AI Phone” project that’s generating buzz.
Samsung Talks: A High-Stakes Opportunity
While the Motorola deal is locked in, Perplexity’s conversations with Samsung are just heating up. Samsung, which holds about one in five smartphones sold globally, is a massive prize.
The two companies are exploring ways to bring Perplexity to Galaxy devices—maybe as a pre-installed app, a Galaxy Store highlight, or even a default assistant alongside Bixby and Gemini.
Here’s the catch: Samsung and Google are tight. Google’s tech powers much of Samsung’s AI, from the Galaxy S25’s features to its default search engine.
Still, Samsung’s investment arm, Samsung NEXT, has already backed Perplexity in a funding round, and word is they’re eyeing another investment as Perplexity hunts for $500 million to $1 billion in fresh capital.
If this deal comes together, it could value Perplexity at a whopping $18 billion and give Galaxy users a new way to interact with their phones.
Why This Matters
Perplexity’s push into smartphones couldn’t come at a better time. AI is the new battleground for tech companies, and Perplexity’s blend of homegrown tech and partnerships with heavyweights like OpenAI and Anthropic makes it a contender.
Unlike ChatGPT, which thrives on broad conversations, Perplexity focuses on quick, accurate answers and a clean user experience—perfect for mobile users.
For Motorola, this partnership is a chance to punch above its weight. With a smaller slice of the market than Samsung or Apple, Motorola needs bold moves to win over tech enthusiasts. Perplexity’s assistant could do just that, especially with T-Mobile and Deutsche Telekom already on board for related AI projects.
A Samsung deal, though, would be a game-changer. It could loosen Google’s grip on the AI assistant market and spark a wave of innovation. More choices for users, better features, and maybe even lower costs for AI services could follow. It’s the kind of shake-up the industry needs.
Hurdles and Hopes
Nothing’s guaranteed. Samsung’s loyalty to Google could slow down or derail the Perplexity talks.
Plus, getting users to switch from familiar assistants like Bixby or Gemini to something new isn’t easy—there’s always a learning curve. But the upside is huge.
Perplexity’s tech could make phones smarter, from pulling up instant search results to automating daily tasks like scheduling or shopping.
As Perplexity fine-tunes its assistant, its deals with Motorola and potentially Samsung could turn it into a household name. For now, all eyes are on Motorola’s upcoming event and the slow-burn negotiations with Samsung.
What’s Next?
Perplexity’s smartphone gamble is a sign of where tech is headed: AI isn’t just a feature; it’s the future of how we use our devices. With Motorola ready to roll and Samsung in the wings, Perplexity is positioning itself as a serious player in the AI race.
Want to dig deeper into Perplexity’s tech? Check out Perplexity.ai. For the latest on Motorola’s Razr plans, visit Motorola’s news section. Keep tabs on Samsung’s AI moves at Samsung Newsroom.
