Perplexity AI, a rising artificial intelligence startup competing with the likes of Google and OpenAI, is actively seeking top-tier integration for its virtual assistant on smartphones.
The company is currently in early-stage talks with Samsung Electronics Co. to embed its assistant on the tech giant’s mobile devices. Meanwhile, it has already secured a deal with Lenovo Group Ltd.’s Motorola for a similar integration, according to sources familiar with the matter.
While discussions with Samsung are still preliminary, the Motorola partnership is expected to be officially announced later this month. Motorola is scheduled to host a product launch event in New York City on April 24, where it plans to reveal details of the collaboration.
According to the sources, the specifics of the Samsung partnership are still under negotiation. Potential terms include making Perplexity AI the default AI assistant option or pre-installing its Android app on Samsung devices. As the global leader in smartphone sales, Samsung might also give the assistant prominent visibility in the Galaxy Store, where users access and download apps.
Samsung is also considering making another investment in Perplexity AI in the near future, according to sources. The AI startup is currently in broader fundraising talks, aiming to double its valuation to $18 billion. It is exploring a funding round between $500 million and $1 billion.
Founded in 2022, Perplexity has quickly gained traction for delivering real-time answers and offering a search engine-style interface. Its assistant is capable of generating detailed research responses and can leverage various AI models, including those from OpenAI and Anthropic PBC, in addition to its own.
As part of the Motorola deal, Perplexity will come pre-installed as an alternative to Google’s Gemini assistant. The integration will feature a customized user interface designed specifically for Motorola’s upcoming Razr foldable phones. Additionally, Motorola plans to actively promote Perplexity AI through its marketing efforts to encourage users to try the assistant.
Currently, Motorola offers its own in-house AI solution along with access to Google Gemini. Samsung follows a similar strategy, providing users with both its Bixby assistant and Google’s AI platform.
For Perplexity, based in San Francisco, partnerships with Motorola and Samsung represent a significant opportunity to strengthen its brand presence and grow its user base in the U.S. market—where Google’s Gemini and OpenAI’s ChatGPT already have a strong foothold. While Motorola holds a relatively small share of the global smartphone market, the brand is gaining momentum. Samsung, on the other hand, commands around 20% of the market worldwide, according to IDC data.
