Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Gets “Hey Plex”: Big Bixby AI Upgrade Confirmed Before Unpacked

February 22, 2026 7:22 PM

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22 February 2026| Dubai, UAE [ Posted at 7:22 pm ]

Samsung is preparing to unveil its next flagship at Galaxy Unpacked on February 25, and this time, AI is the headline. The Samsung Galaxy S26 Bixby upgrade is officially confirmed, bringing Perplexity AI directly into Samsung’s ecosystem. For UAE users who rely on Galaxy devices for work, travel, and daily productivity, this could be a game-changer.

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Perplexity Powers Bixby on the Galaxy S26

Overview: Samsung is integrating Perplexity AI as a second AI engine inside Bixby, making the assistant smarter and more conversational.

For years, Bixby struggled to compete with Google Assistant. Now, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Bixby experience is changing dramatically. Before we look at features, this isn’t just a software update; it’s a structural AI shift.

Here’s what the integration brings:

Users can activate the assistant using a new wake phrase: “Hey Plex”
Real-time web search powered by Perplexity
More natural language understanding
Faster answers curated from live sources
Possible pre-installed Perplexity app on Galaxy S26 models

Instead of saying “OK Google,” Galaxy users may now rely on Samsung’s own enhanced AI assistant. For UAE professionals and students, this means quick fact-checking, restaurant searches in Dubai, drafting emails, and planning schedules.

One UI 8.5: Smarter Navigation Without Menu Hunting

Overview: Bixby is evolving into a natural-language phone expert, helping users navigate settings effortlessly.

With One UI 8.5, Bixby can understand what you want without needing exact commands. Before diving into examples, imagine never needing to search Reddit threads for settings again.

Here’s how this helps daily users:

Say: “Why is my screen always on in my pocket?” → It opens Accidental Touch Protection.
Say: “My eyes hurt at night.” → It enables Eye Comfort Shield.
Say: “Dim brightness at 9 PM daily.” → It sets an automatic routine.

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Bixby update makes your phone respond like a human assistant rather than a command-based bot. For busy UAE residents managing work calls, Ramadan schedules, or business routines, this could save serious time.

Samsung’s Dual AI Strategy: Gemini + Perplexity

Overview: Samsung is not abandoning Google, it’s expanding options.

Samsung confirmed it will continue working with Google’s Gemini AI. Instead of replacing it, Samsung is offering multiple AI agents.

Here’s what this strategy means:

Basic tasks handled by Samsung’s own AI tools
Complex web queries handled by Perplexity
Gemini remains available for broader ecosystem integration
Users get flexibility instead of forced defaults

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Bixby shift shows Samsung reducing long-term dependency on Google. For UAE tech enthusiasts, this positions Samsung as more AI-independent compared to other Android brands.

On-Device AI & Performance Boost

Overview: Samsung is prioritising privacy and speed with more local AI processing.

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to feature:

Exynos 2600 is built on a 2nm GAA process
12GB RAM minimum
256GB base storage
Enhanced on-device AI image generation (EdgeFusion)

Why this matters:

Faster results without cloud delay
Better privacy (data processed locally)
Improved battery optimisation

For UAE users concerned about data privacy and internet dependency, this is a major plus.

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Camera Upgrades: Night Photography Focus

Overview: AI isn’t the only upgrade; camera hardware is also evolving.

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to include:

200MP main sensor
New f/1.4 aperture (wider than previous models)
Improved low-light performance
More natural skin tones
Reduced noise in night shots

For UAE users who love capturing the Dubai skyline at night or Eid celebrations, this could be one of the best Ultra cameras yet.

Expected Price Changes

Overview: Reports suggest price adjustments in some markets.

Before assuming global increases, note that regional pricing may vary. Early leaks indicate:

Approx. 99,000 won increase in Korea
Base Galaxy S26 around 1,254,000 won
Ultra around 1,797,000 won
US pricing may remain stable

For UAE buyers, official AED pricing will be clearer after Unpacked. Samsung often keeps Gulf pricing competitive due to strong regional demand.

Why This Matters for UAE Buyers

Overview: Explore benefits for the UAE Buyers.

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Bixby upgrade signals a serious AI evolution. Instead of relying only on Google, Samsung is building a hybrid AI ecosystem.

For UAE residents, benefits include:

Faster productivity tools
Better multilingual voice understanding
Improved privacy
Stronger on-device AI performance
Advanced night photography

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is shaping up to be more than a hardware upgrade.

FAQs

1. What is new in Samsung Galaxy S26 Bixby?

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Bixby now integrates Perplexity AI, offering real-time web search and more natural language understanding.

2. What is “Hey Plex”?

It’s the new voice wake phrase that activates Perplexity-powered Bixby.

3. Will Google Gemini still work?

Yes. Samsung is keeping Gemini alongside Perplexity for flexibility.

4. What are the main Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra upgrades?

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to feature a 200MP f/1.4 camera, 12GB RAM baseline, and enhanced on-device AI.

5. When is the Galaxy Unpacked event?

Samsung will officially reveal details on February 25.

Final Thoughts

Samsung is clearly repositioning itself in the AI race. The integration of Perplexity into Samsung Galaxy S26 Bixby shows a bold move toward AI independence. At the same time, the device strengthens the hardware to support it.