The upcoming Samsung Galaxy S26 smartphone series, set to debut in early 2026, is anticipated to feature a range of artificial intelligence (AI) services. A senior executive from Samsung revealed to Bloomberg News that the company is exploring partnerships to integrate additional AI capabilities from various vendors, which will complement Google’s Gemini AI in the new smartphones. There are indications that Samsung may consider replacing Gemini as the default AI assistant for the Galaxy S26 lineup.
Samsung Explores Collaborations for AI Capabilities
In an interview with Bloomberg News, Samsung President and COO of Mobile eXperience, Choi Won-Joon, stated that the company aims to provide consumers with diverse options in its flagship smartphones. He noted that Samsung is engaged in discussions with several vendors and remains “open to any agent out there.”
Among the companies Samsung is reportedly considering is OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, which has collaborated with Apple to incorporate AI features into recent iPhone models. Additionally, Perplexity is on the list, as other manufacturers, including Motorola, have partnered with Perplexity, Google, and Microsoft to enhance their AI functionalities.
This announcement comes shortly after another report suggested Samsung was preparing to finalize a deal with Perplexity to integrate its AI assistant into the next generation of Galaxy smartphones, potentially replacing the existing Gemini AI assistant.
Earlier this month, Samsung unveiled its Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7, alongside the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chip, while the Galaxy Z Flip 7 models utilize Samsung’s own Exynos processors.
As for the Galaxy S26 series, reports indicate that Samsung has not yet determined whether to include the Exynos 2600 system-on-chip or Qualcomm’s upcoming Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 chip, expected to be revealed at the chipmaker’s annual event in September.
Looking ahead, Samsung is poised to encounter competition from Apple, particularly with the potential launch of its first foldable iPhone next year. Analysts predict that Apple’s entry into the foldable market could benefit Samsung Display and other suppliers, especially if Apple opts for “crease-free” foldable screens for the speculated iPhone Fold.
