Samsung has announced a major overhaul of its digital assistant Bixby, making it clear that the company is not dropping the assistant even after making Google’s Gemini the default on Galaxy phones last year. In a press release, Samsung said a new version of Bixby has entered beta testing as part of the One UI 8.5 update, which has been in beta since December 2025.
The redesigned Bixby is expected to make its debut alongside the Galaxy S26 series, which is widely expected to launch in February 2026.
The move comes nearly a year after Samsung partnered with Google at the Galaxy S25 launch in January 2025, when Gemini became the default assistant and Bixby was pushed into a secondary role.
Bixby redesigned as a conversational device agent
Samsung said the updated Bixby is being reworked as a “conversational device agent” with a strong focus on phone controls and natural language understanding.
Users will no longer need to remember exact setting names. Instead, they can describe what they want in simple language, and Bixby will adjust the relevant settings.
For example, saying “I don’t want the screen to turn off while I’m looking at it” will activate the option that keeps the display on. Asking “Why does my phone turn on in my pocket?” will surface features like accidental touch protection and allow users to enable them directly.
Samsung said Bixby will also review current device settings and suggest fixes, rather than offering only generic guidance.
Live web search through Perplexity
The new Bixby will support real-time web search through a partnership with Perplexity. This will allow the assistant to fetch up-to-date information from the web and show results directly within its interface, without sending users to a browser.
For instance, users can ask “Find hotels in Seoul with pools for kids,” and Bixby will display web results inside the assistant view. Samsung said this feature is aimed at making Bixby more useful beyond device controls.
One UI 8.5 features and launch timeline
Samsung said the new Bixby will first roll out via the One UI 8.5 beta in select markets, with a broader release later. One UI 8.5 is expected to debut with the Galaxy S26 series in February 2026.
Other One UI 8.5 updates include improved Photo Assist, smarter Quick Share, cross-device features like Audio Broadcast and Storage Share, new security tools, and refreshed UI elements across system apps.
Galaxy Unpacked 2026
Samsung is reportedly planning its 2026 Galaxy Unpacked event for February 26, according to a tech website. The company is expected to unveil the Galaxy S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra, with sales likely starting on March 11, though Samsung has not officially confirmed these details.
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