Perplexity AI May Soon Replace Google Gemini on Motorola and Samsung Phones

A major shakeup in the Android AI wars as Perplexity challenges Gemini’s dominance

The AI assistant wars are heating up, and Perplexity AI might be the next big player to watch. According to a recent report from Bloomberg, Perplexity is closing in on major deals with smartphone giants Motorola and Samsung to potentially replace Google’s Gemini as the default digital assistant on Android phones.

This move could signal a dramatic shift in the mobile AI space, challenging Google’s control and giving users a fresh, search-powered AI option right out of the box.

Motorola Set to Announce Perplexity Deal at April 24 Event

Razr phones may be the first to feature Perplexity as default assistant

Bloomberg reports that Motorola, which is owned by Lenovo, has already signed an agreement with Perplexity AI. The deal is expected to be officially revealed on April 24 at a Motorola product launch event in New York City.

Key details of the Motorola-Perplexity partnership include:

• Replacing Gemini with Perplexity as the default assistant on select devices
• Preloading the Perplexity app on Motorola phones
• Customizing the interface to better fit new Motorola Razr foldable phones

If true, this would make Motorola the first major Android brand to move away from Gemini, Google’s AI-powered successor to Assistant, in favor of an alternative chatbot.

Samsung Might Be Next—But There’s a Catch

Samsung is negotiating, but Google’s influence still looms

While Motorola’s deal seems nearly finalized, Samsung’s talks with Perplexity are still in progress. Bloomberg says the South Korean tech giant is exploring several possibilities, including:

• Shipping select Galaxy devices with Perplexity as the default assistant
• Pre-installing the Perplexity app on phones and tablets
• Promoting Perplexity in the Galaxy Store as a top AI choice

However, Samsung’s existing agreements with Google could complicate the rollout. Gemini currently powers several of Samsung’s Galaxy AI features, including real-time translation, summarization, and photo editing. Any shift toward Perplexity would have to navigate contractual obligations and technical integration challenges.

Still, the report confirms that Samsung is interested in strengthening its relationship with Perplexity, especially given its past investments.

Samsung Already Backed Perplexity with Big Money

Samsung isn’t just a potential customer—it’s also an investor. The company’s venture capital arm, NEXT, invested in Perplexity last year. Now, Bloomberg says Samsung is considering another round of funding that could double Perplexity’s valuation to $18 billion.

Just last month, Perplexity reportedly raised between $500 million and $1 billion from investors. The startup has quickly become a rising star in the AI space, gaining attention from both users and industry giants.

What Makes Perplexity Different from Gemini?

Founded in 2022, Perplexity AI has grown rapidly due to its real-time search capabilities and user-friendly, search engine-style interface. Unlike some other chatbots, Perplexity doesn’t just generate responses—it also pulls in up-to-date information from the web, making it more reliable for queries about current events.

Other standout features include:

• Multimodel support: It can use its own AI models as well as those from OpenAI and Google
• Transparent citations: It shows sources for its answers, similar to how Google displays search results
• Circle to Search alternative: Perplexity is reportedly working on an Android feature that mimics Google’s “Circle to Search”, which allows users to instantly search items on their screen

These features make it more like a hybrid between a chatbot and a search engine, appealing to users who want both AI conversation and up-to-date factual information.

The Bigger Picture – Is Google Losing Its Grip?

Gemini, Google’s replacement for the old Assistant, has been gradually rolled out across Android devices. However, the experience hasn’t wowed everyone. Some users report slow performance or limited responses compared to competitors like ChatGPT or Perplexity.

Now, with Motorola jumping ship and Samsung potentially following, Google may face a serious challenge to its mobile dominance. Android is open-source, which means OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) like Motorola and Samsung can customize their AI assistants. This opens the door for new players like Perplexity to break into the default ecosystem.

What This Means for Android Users

For everyday users, this shift could offer more AI choices right out of the box. If Perplexity becomes the default assistant on Motorola and Samsung phones, users might enjoy:

• Faster access to real-time info
• More control over which AI assistant they prefer
• A wider variety of assistant interfaces and features

It could also push Google to improve Gemini more rapidly, knowing that competition is heating up.

A New AI Battle Is Brewing on Android

The Android AI space is entering a new era. With Perplexity AI poised to replace Gemini on Motorola devices and possibly Samsung phones, Google’s dominance in mobile AI may not be as secure as it once seemed.

Motorola’s upcoming announcement on April 24 will likely be a major moment in this shift. And if Samsung finalizes its deal, we could be looking at a new wave of AI-powered phones where users get real-time, search-like answers—without ever needing Google.

As the battle between AI assistants intensifies, one thing is clear: Android users are about to get a lot more options.