Samsung has confirmed that the upcoming Galaxy S26 series will support a new Perplexity hotword – “Hey Plex” – alongside the existing “Hey Google” and Bixby. This move marks a significant expansion of Samsung’s virtual assistant capabilities, allowing users to access a wider range of features and services with just their voice.
The introduction of “Hey Plex” comes as Samsung continues to invest in its artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) capabilities, with a focus on enhancing the user experience across its device portfolio. As reported by 9to5Google, the new hotword will be available on the Galaxy S26 series, which is expected to be unveiled in the coming months. This development is seen as a strategic move by Samsung to compete with other major smartphone manufacturers, such as $AAPL, which has been investing heavily in its own AI and ML capabilities.
The Perplexity AI platform, developed by Perplexity, is a key component of Samsung’s AI strategy, enabling the company to offer more advanced virtual assistant features and services to its users. With the addition of “Hey Plex”, Samsung is aiming to provide a more seamless and intuitive user experience, allowing users to access a wide range of features and services, from entertainment and productivity to smart home control and more. The move is also seen as a response to the growing demand for voice-activated assistants, with many users increasingly relying on voice commands to interact with their devices.
In terms of market reaction, the news has been positively received by investors, with $SSNLF (Samsung Electronics) stock seeing a slight increase in trading. The move is also expected to have a positive impact on the overall smartphone market, as other manufacturers are likely to follow suit and invest in their own AI and ML capabilities. According to industry analysts, the global smartphone market is expected to continue growing, driven by increasing demand for advanced features and services, such as AI-powered virtual assistants.
| Device | Virtual Assistant | Hotword |
|---|---|---|
| Galaxy S26 | Perplexity | Hey Plex |
| Galaxy S26 | Google Assistant | Hey Google |
| Galaxy S26 | Bixby | Bixby |
Looking ahead, the introduction of “Hey Plex” is expected to have significant implications for the smartphone market, as users increasingly demand more advanced features and services. As Samsung and other manufacturers continue to invest in AI and ML, we can expect to see even more innovative features and services emerge, further enhancing the user experience and driving growth in the market.
⚡ Why it matters: The introduction of “Hey Plex” marks a significant expansion of Samsung’s virtual assistant capabilities, allowing users to access a wider range of features and services with just their voice. This move is expected to have a positive impact on the overall smartphone market, driving growth and innovation in the industry.
📊 By the numbers:
Expected growth in global smartphone market: 10% YoY
Number of virtual assistants supported by Galaxy S26: 3
Expected increase in $SSNLF stock: 2-3%
🔗 Source: 9to5Google*
