Andy Walker / Android Authority
TL;DR Bixby could be getting a real AI upgrade in One UI 8.5 by handing complex questions to Perplexity AI.
We now have our first visual proof that Perplexity AI is Bixby’s new brain.
A new Bixby Live interface hints at real-time AI conversations, mirroring Gemini Live capabilities.
Samsung’s Bixby has spent the better part of the decade being the assistant we love to disable, but the new One UI 8.5 update could make that decision harder. Rather than competing directly with Google Gemini, Samsung is reportedly following Apple’s lead by bringing in stronger AI support. We now have a detailed look at how Perplexity AI will supercharge Bixby to handle more complex tasks.
Leaker @GalaxyTechie shared plenty of screenshots on X showing an early version of One UI 8.5 (via SamMobile). In these images, Bixby sends complex questions to Perplexity instead of using its own limited knowledge. The responses look more like well-researched answers, complete with citations.
Bixby has always been reliable for basic phone controls like toggling Wi-Fi, setting alarms, or changing settings. But when it came to answering real questions, it struggled. This weakness has become clearer as other AI assistants have grown into research tools and conversation partners.
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With One UI 8.5, Samsung appears ready to fix this by connecting Bixby to Perplexity. Last year, there were rumors that Samsung was testing this integration on its phones and tablets.
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