Samsung has officially announced that its forthcoming Galaxy S26 series will feature a new hotword, “Hey Plex,” to activate the Perplexity AI assistant. This addition is part of an initiative aimed at establishing an “open and inclusive integrated AI ecosystem,” which includes existing services like Google Assistant and Bixby, each of which has its own activation phrases.
Historically, “Hey Google” has been a staple on Android devices for years, complementing the optional “Hey Bixby” command specific to Samsung’s Galaxy lineup. With the introduction of “Hey Plex,” Samsung is expanding its array of AI capabilities.
In a recent press release, Samsung confirmed that “Hey Plex” will be integrated at a system level on the upcoming flagship Galaxy devices. This suggests that the Perplexity AI will be pre-installed on these devices, likely aligning with a broader update of Bixby as well. Samsung emphasizes that this initiative is part of their strategy for creating an “integrated multi-agent ecosystem” in Galaxy AI, highlighting that nearly 80% of users now frequently utilize more than two different AI agents.
Details shared by Samsung reveal that Perplexity will serve as an additional AI agent accessible via the dedicated voice command “Hey Plex” or through quick-access controls, such as pressing and holding the side button on Galaxy devices. This setup aims to provide users with seamless contextual assistance. The Perplexity AI assistant is designed to be deeply integrated with various Samsung applications, including Samsung Notes, Clock, Gallery, Reminder, and Calendar, as well as a selection of third-party apps. This system-level approach is expected to facilitate smoother, multi-step workflows, enabling users to transition effortlessly between tasks without the hassle of manually switching between applications.
While it remains uncertain whether “Hey Plex” will be exclusive to the Galaxy S26 series, Samsung has indicated that further information about supported devices will be unveiled soon, likely coinciding with the announcement of the Galaxy S26. This suggests that additional updates regarding the rollout of Perplexity may be forthcoming in the near future.
