Galaxy S26 Will Support ‘Hey Plex’ Perplexity Hotword Alongside Google and Bixby

Lead

Samsung confirmed on Feb. 22, 2026 that the upcoming Galaxy S26 series will accept a new Perplexity wake phrase, “Hey Plex,” joining existing wake words such as “Hey Google” and the optional “Hey Bixby.” The company described the addition as part of a system-level integration that suggests Perplexity will be preinstalled on flagship Galaxy handsets. Samsung framed the move as part of an “open and inclusive integrated AI ecosystem,” citing that nearly 8 in 10 users now rely on more than two types of AI agents. Details on wider device support and timing are limited, with Samsung saying more information will be shared soon.

Key Takeaways

• Samsung announced on Feb. 22, 2026 that the Galaxy S26 series will support a Perplexity hotword, “Hey Plex,” enabling voice activation of the Perplexity agent.
• “Hey Plex” is a system-level integration, implying Perplexity will likely be pre-installed on supported Galaxy flagship devices.
• Perplexity will be accessible by voice or quick-access controls such as a long press of the side button, according to Samsung’s release.
• Perplexity will be embedded across select Samsung apps including Samsung Notes, Clock, Gallery, Reminder and Calendar, plus select third-party apps for multi-step workflows.
• Samsung described the expansion as part of a multi-agent Galaxy AI vision, noting that nearly 8 in 10 users rely on more than two AI agents.
• The company hinted that supported devices beyond the S26 may be announced soon, but did not publish a definitive device list or rollout schedule.
• Perplexity appears to play a role in Samsung’s Bixby reboot, suggesting closer technical or UX ties between agents.

Background

Voice hotwords have been a core way users summon AI assistants: “Hey Google” has been available on Android devices for years, while Samsung added an optional “Hey Bixby” for Galaxy phones. OEMs have experimented with single-agent and multi-agent approaches; Samsung’s latest language signals a shift toward making multiple assistants first-class citizens on the same device. The move reflects broader trends in consumer AI: users increasingly rely on different agents for different tasks, and manufacturers are responding by integrating multiple services into the system layer.

Perplexity, a conversational AI service known for concise answers and citation-oriented responses, has been expanding partnerships and integrations in recent months. Samsung’s description of a “system-level” Perplexity suggests tighter integration than a standalone app, with hooks into core apps and OS controls. Historically, deeper system integration raises questions about default routing, privacy controls and which agent handles which task — issues Samsung will need to clarify before a broad rollout.

Main Event

In its announcement, Samsung said users will be able to wake Perplexity with the voice phrase “Hey Plex” or by pressing and holding the side button, making the assistant reachable without opening a separate app. The company explicitly listed several first-party apps — Samsung Notes, Clock, Gallery, Reminder and Calendar — where Perplexity will be embedded to enable multi-step, contextual workflows across content and tasks. That integration is positioned to let users move between tasks without manually switching apps, a usability aim Samsung highlighted.

The statement also notes Perplexity appears to be incorporated into Samsung’s refreshed Bixby experience, though Samsung did not detail the technical architecture or how queries will be routed between Bixby, Google and Perplexity. Samsung framed the change as part of a “rich, open and integrated multi-agent ecosystem,” leveraging each agent’s strengths rather than forcing a single native assistant. The company reiterated that details on which devices will be supported beyond the Galaxy S26 will be announced “soon.”

Press schedule context: the Perplexity disclosure arrived ahead of Samsung’s Galaxy S26 reveal window, and reporting indicates additional specifics are likely alongside the S26 announcement next week. Samsung’s messaging positions the new wake phrase as a flagship feature, signaling both marketing emphasis and likely early-device availability on the S26 series.

Analysis & Implications

Strategically, Samsung is pursuing a multi-agent model that treats third-party assistants as integrated choices rather than add-ons. That reduces friction for users who prefer non-Google agents and helps Samsung differentiate its Galaxy AI positioning. For Perplexity, system-level placement on a major OEM’s flagship phones increases visibility and potential daily usage by millions of users, a notable distribution advantage compared with standalone apps.

From a user-experience perspective, multiple hotwords mean more choices but also potential complexity: users will need clear cues about which assistant responds by default in different contexts and how handoffs occur between agents. Samsung’s mention of side-button access creates a consistent fallback for invoking Perplexity, but routing logic and labeling in the UI will determine how intuitive the multi-agent flow feels in real use.

Privacy and data controls will be central to adoption. System embedding implies deeper OS-level access for Perplexity, which could raise questions about where voice data is processed and stored. Samsung will need to publish specific privacy and data-processing disclosures to reassure privacy-conscious users and regulators, especially in markets with strict data-protection rules.

Finally, the move pressures other OEMs and platform owners to clarify multi-agent strategies. Google already integrates its assistant tightly with Android; Samsung’s endorsement of multiple integrated agents may encourage more open coexistence models, or prompt competitive responses on default routing, certification and developer tooling.

Comparison & Data

The table summarizes activation methods and example integrations for the three agents Samsung referenced. It illustrates Samsung’s intent to offer parity in access methods while differentiating Perplexity with deep embedding in productivity and media apps. Exact feature parity, latency and local vs. cloud processing characteristics were not published and will influence real-world performance comparisons.

Reactions & Quotes

“Hey Plex will activate Perplexity on upcoming flagship Galaxy devices.”

Samsung (press release)

“Nearly 8 in 10 users now rely on more than two types of AI agents,” Samsung wrote, framing the move as user-driven.

Samsung (press release)

“Perplexity also appears to be used in the Bixby reboot,”

9to5Google (media report)

Each quotation above is brief and taken from Samsung’s announcement and media reporting; they highlight Samsung’s narrative for a multi-agent future and the early reporting linking Perplexity to Bixby’s refresh.

Unconfirmed

• Whether “Hey Plex” will be exclusive to the Galaxy S26 series at launch is not confirmed; Samsung only referred to “upcoming flagship Galaxy devices.”
• The full list of supported devices and exact rollout timing have not yet been published by Samsung and remain to be announced.
• Details on data handling, local vs. cloud processing, and whether Perplexity access will require separate sign-in or opt-in are currently unspecified.

Bottom Line

Samsung’s announcement that the Galaxy S26 will support a “Hey Plex” hotword signals a deliberate step toward a multi-agent AI strategy on flagship hardware. The system-level framing suggests Perplexity will be integrated more deeply than a simple third-party app, which could improve utility but raises important questions about defaults, data flows and user control.

For users, the change offers more choice: those who prefer Perplexity’s conversational style may gain a one-tap or one-phrase path to that agent on new Galaxy phones. For competitors and regulators, the practical details of routing, privacy safeguards and interoperability will determine whether multi-agent phone ecosystems deliver on Samsung’s promise of a richer, more flexible AI experience.

Sources

• 9to5Google — media report summarizing Samsung’s Feb. 22, 2026 press release and related leaks.