Samsung’s virtual assistant Bixby could soon receive a significant artificial intelligence upgrade, according to leaked materials cited by Android Police. The changes are reportedly tied to a future update of Samsung’s software layer, potentially arriving with One UI 8.5.
Screenshots shared by the account GalaxyTechie on X appear to show a beta version of One UI 8.5 featuring deeper AI capabilities within Bixby, including integration with Perplexity.
Perplexity-powered research inside Bixby
According to the leaked materials, Perplexity’s AI would allow Bixby to handle more complex queries that require in-depth research, moving beyond its current focus on system controls such as adjusting brightness, managing volume, or toggling Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The assistant would reportedly be able to provide researched answers, display sources, and redirect users to linked websites or directly into the Perplexity app.
The interface shown in the leaks also suggests users could rate responses with like or dislike buttons, mirroring feedback mechanisms used in other AI chatbots. These details align with rumours that have circulated since late 2025 about Samsung negotiating a partnership with Perplexity to strengthen its on-device AI strategy.
Specialised AI agents and Bixby Live
Another feature hinted at in the leaks is a new “speciality agents” menu, offering task-focused AI personas. Options shown include a general-purpose agent as well as dedicated profiles such as tour guide, interviewer, storyteller, and English practice assistant. These agents are expected to operate within a feature referred to as Bixby Live.
One UI 8.5 Bixby deep-dive: Perplexity & Deepseek are now integrated. Similar to Gemini Live, Bixby Live is added with lots of features. Any questions can be answered with Circle to Ask. AI podcasts, musics, images, videos, documents can be generated and attached with questions. pic.twitter.com/hHWO1My4dE
— Galaxy Techie (@GalaxyTechie) January 8, 2026
If implemented, Bixby Live would resemble Gemini Live, Google’s conversational AI service. Leaked descriptions suggest that Bixby Live could support attaching multiple images or documents during conversations and exporting AI-generated results in formats such as PDF and Word.
“Circle to Ask” as a search alternative
The leaks also reference a feature called “Circle to Ask,” which appears to be Samsung’s answer to Circle to Search. This tool would enable users to highlight content on the screen and query Bixby for contextual information, providing an alternative to Google’s visual search approach, which is integrated into recent Android versions.
No official confirmation yet
Despite the growing volume of leaked information, Samsung has not officially confirmed any of these features or announced a release timeline. As with many beta discoveries, some or all of the functions could change or be delayed before a public rollout.
Still, the reported upgrades suggest Samsung is preparing a more ambitious future for Bixby—one that leans heavily on advanced AI partnerships and conversational capabilities to remain competitive in an ecosystem increasingly dominated by assistants from Google and other AI-focused companies.
