Galaxy S26: ‘Hey Plex’ AI Hotword Confirmed for Samsung’s Next Flagship

Samsung is adding a third wake word to its Galaxy smartphones, “Hey Plex,” to activate the Perplexity AI search engine, the company announced Thursday. The move, slated to debut with the upcoming Galaxy S26 series, signals a broadening of Samsung’s artificial intelligence ecosystem and a shift toward a multi-agent approach.

The integration of Perplexity will allow Galaxy S26 users to access the AI’s capabilities through voice command, using “Hey Plex,” or by long-pressing the side button on their devices. Perplexity will be embedded within core Samsung applications including Notes, Clock, Gallery, Reminder, and Calendar, as well as select third-party apps, streamlining workflows and reducing the need to switch between applications, according to a company press release.

This expansion of AI voice assistants on Samsung devices now includes “Hey Google” and “Hey Bixby” alongside the newly added “Hey Plex.” Samsung framed the addition as a response to evolving user behavior, noting that nearly 80 percent of users now rely on more than two different AI agents to complete tasks.

The Perplexity integration is described as “system-level,” suggesting the AI will be pre-installed on the Galaxy S26. Beyond direct access, Perplexity’s capabilities will also enhance Bixby’s web search functionality, further integrating the AI across the Samsung platform.

While the initial rollout is focused on the Galaxy S26 series, Samsung indicated that support for “Hey Plex” may expand to other devices in the future, with details on supported devices expected to be announced “soon.”

Samsung’s move reflects a broader industry trend toward open and integrated AI ecosystems. The company’s vision, as articulated in its press materials, is to create a flexible AI experience where users can seamlessly switch between different AI services depending on the task at hand.