Samsung May Bring OpenAI and Perplexity AI to Galaxy S26 Series, Eyes Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 and Exynos 2600

Samsung’s AI ambitions are growing rapidly, and the upcoming Galaxy S26 series could mark a significant shift in the company's strategy. Following the successful debut of Galaxy AI alongside the Galaxy S24 lineup, Samsung is now actively exploring new AI partners beyond Google’s Gemini — the current engine powering its AI features.

In an interview with Reuters, Choi Won-Joon, President and COO of Samsung’s Mobile Division, confirmed that Samsung is in talks with multiple AI providers, including OpenAI and Perplexity, with the aim of delivering the best possible user experience in future smartphones.

> “We're talking to multiple vendors. As long as these AI agents are competitive and can provide the best user experiences, we are open to any AI agent out there,” Choi said.

Samsung + Perplexity = AI Search Onboard?

Reports as far back as June 2025 have suggested that Samsung is nearing a deal to invest in Perplexity, the fast-growing AI search startup. The agreement could lead to deeper integration of the Perplexity app and assistant directly into Galaxy devices — likely starting with the Galaxy S26 series.

OpenAI is also part of the conversation, although Samsung reportedly has no plans to invest financially in the company at this stage.

Chipset Choices for Galaxy S26 Still Undecided

Beyond AI, Samsung is also evaluating its chipset options for the Galaxy S26 lineup. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 (possibly branded as Snapdragon 8 Elite 2) and the Exynos 2600 are both under consideration. The final decision on which processor(s) to use is still pending.

This balanced approach to both hardware and AI software partnerships shows that Samsung is doubling down on creating a more flexible, competitive mobile experience.

On Apple Foldables: A Welcome Move

Choi also addressed rumors about Apple entering the foldable smartphone market, an area Samsung has led for years. Rather than dismiss the potential competition, he welcomed the move, stating it would help grow and legitimize the foldable category, benefitting the industry as a whole.

As the smartphone AI wars heat up, Samsung's Galaxy S26 series could be the company’s most advanced and intelligent lineup yet — blending powerful processors with multi-vendor AI integration