Samsung is reshaping Galaxy AI into a system-level multi-agent platform after internal research showed nearly eight in 10 users regularly rely on more than two AI agents. The company says the change will let different AI agents run cohesively across the OS so users won’t need to switch apps or repeat commands. The first external agent to be deeply integrated is Perplexity, accessible via the wake phrase “Hey Plex” or by assigning the side (power) button on upcoming flagship Galaxy devices, with the Galaxy S26 line expected to be among the first beneficiaries.
Key takeaways
- Samsung research found almost 80% of users regularly use more than two AI agents, motivating multi-agent support at the OS level.
- Galaxy AI will act as an orchestrator, providing system-level integration so agents share context without app switching or repeated prompts.
- Perplexity is the first third-party agent to join; users can summon it with “Hey Plex” or by mapping the side button on upcoming flagships, likely including the Galaxy S26 series.
- Plex will be embedded in Samsung first-party apps such as Gallery, Notes, Calendar, Clock and Reminder, and will work with selected third-party apps to handle multi-step workflows.
- Features are slated for new devices and may arrive on older models via the One UI 8.5 update, though Samsung said specific device support will be announced later.
- Samsung also unveiled an upgraded Bixby for One UI 8.5 that accepts natural-language system commands and performs real-time web lookups.
Background
AI assistants and specialized agents have proliferated across mobile and cloud services in recent years, creating fragmentation for users who juggle several tools for tasks such as research, scheduling and content editing. Device makers and OS vendors have been under pressure to reduce friction by offering unified experiences that preserve an app ecosystem while making smart assistants more contextual. Samsung’s research — cited internally — points to a behavioral shift: most users now consult multiple AI agents regularly rather than relying on a single assistant.
Samsung has pursued both proprietary and partner-based AI strategies: Bixby remains a first-party assistant while the company has explored integrations with web-backed AI features and search. The One UI skin has been the vehicle for many of these changes, and the forthcoming One UI 8.5 update appears to be the software vector Samsung will use to roll out system-level multi-agent capabilities. Device-makers face a strategic choice between walled gardens and open ecosystems; Samsung is positioning Galaxy AI as an orchestration layer that preserves choice.
Main event
The core announcement is a systems-level upgrade: Galaxy AI will support multiple agents at the OS level so they can be summoned, given context and coordinated without forcing the user to hop between apps. Because the integration runs in the system layer, agents can access relevant context (open app, current calendar entry, active photo) to perform multi-step tasks that previously required manual handoffs. Samsung frames the change as enabling more natural interactions and fewer repetitive commands.
Perplexity is the first third-party agent integrated under this new model. Samsung says users will be able to trigger Perplexity with the wake phrase “Hey Plex” or by assigning the side (power) button to it on compatible devices. The company intends to embed the Plex agent into first-party apps including Gallery, Notes, Calendar, Clock and Reminder, and to allow it to operate inside supported third-party apps for workflows that span multiple services.
Samsung’s announcement indicates the new agent support will debut on upcoming flagship Galaxy devices; the Galaxy S26 series is explicitly cited as arriving just around the corner and likely among early targets. The company also hinted that One UI 8.5 could enable some or all of these features on existing Galaxy S and Z models, but device-by-device details were not provided in the initial release.
Analysis & implications
By elevating agent integration to the OS level, Samsung is addressing a practical friction point: context loss when users switch between assistants or apps. Context-sharing can reduce task friction and make multi-step operations—such as researching a topic, saving relevant images, and creating a calendar reminder—feel seamless. If implemented securely, system-level orchestration could materially improve productivity for power users and mainstream consumers alike.
There are competitive and regulatory angles to consider. System-level integration of third-party agents positions Samsung between the closed-assistant approach (exclusive assistant experiences) and fully open ecosystems. That middle path may ease developer adoption while preserving user choice, but it also raises privacy and data-governance questions about how context is shared across agents and which agents access which data. Samsung will need clear controls and transparency to avoid user distrust.
Commercially, partnering with Perplexity gives Samsung an early advantage in surfacing a capable research-oriented agent across device features. If Perplexity proves reliable in multi-step workflows, other agent providers may seek similar integration, creating an ecosystem effect that benefits Samsung’s platform. However, the value depends on execution: latency, accuracy, battery impact and user privacy controls will determine whether this becomes a differentiator or a cosmetic feature.
Comparison & data
| Characteristic | Pre–One UI 8.5 | Multi-agent Galaxy AI (proposed) |
|---|---|---|
| Integration level | App-level or Bixby hooks | OS-level orchestration across apps |
| Wake/activation | App wake phrases or manual launch | Wake phrase (e.g., “Hey Plex”) or side-button mapping |
| Context sharing | Limited to single app/session | Cross-app context available to authorized agents |
| Third-party agents | Limited, siloed | Deep partner integrations supported (Perplexity shown) |
The table highlights how system-level agent orchestration differs from previous assistant models on Galaxy devices. Samsung’s internal finding that nearly 80% of users use multiple agents underpins the product trade-off: centralize context management without locking users into a single assistant. The One UI 8.5 update and upgraded Bixby add further momentum, but device support and rollout cadence will determine real-world impact.
Reactions & quotes
Samsung describes Galaxy AI as a coordinator that brings multiple AI capabilities together into a single, natural user experience.
Won-Joon Choi, Samsung MX R&D Office (paraphrased)
Perplexity will be accessible via voice or the side button and embedded into core Samsung apps to handle multi-step tasks across apps.
Samsung press materials (paraphrased)
Industry analysts note that system-level agent frameworks can reduce friction but will face scrutiny on privacy and data-sharing practices.
Independent analyst commentary (industry sources)
Unconfirmed
- Exact device list and timelines for One UI 8.5 rollout across older Galaxy S and Z models have not been published by Samsung.
- Specific third-party apps that will support the Plex agent and the depth of their integrations remain unspecified in the announcement.
- Technical details about how context is shared between agents and what privacy controls will be available were not provided in the press materials.
Bottom line
Samsung’s move to turn Galaxy AI into an OS-level multi-agent ecosystem responds to a clear user behavior trend: most people consult multiple AI agents. Embedding Perplexity and offering system-level orchestration could make multi-step, cross-app tasks feel far more seamless on Galaxy phones, particularly on the upcoming S26 line.
However, the user benefit will hinge on execution—performance, battery cost, and, critically, privacy controls. Samsung must publish device support details and clear data-governance policies to earn user trust and invite a healthy partner ecosystem. If it succeeds, Galaxy AI could become a practical bridge between a diverse AI landscape and everyday mobile workflows.
Sources
- GSMArena — media report summarizing Samsung’s announcement (journalism/tech reporting)
- Samsung Newsroom — official company announcements and press materials (official)
- Perplexity — company site and documentation on the Perplexity agent (company/technical)