Bixby's AI Overhaul: Your New Conversational Device Agent

Samsung has given Bixby an AI-powered overhaul and is set to integrate it in One UI 8.5. Access to it right now is only available via a beta program. Bixby will now seemingly take over from the agent interface that Google Gemini offered on newer Galaxy phones. By this time last year, Samsung was getting ready to debut its Galaxy S25 series, but 2026 has seen the South Korean manufacturer seemingly delay any kind of Unpacked to kick off the mobile calendar. While we wait to see what Samsung has cooking on the hardware side of things, it looks like AI will remain the focus on software, but an old name has resurfaced, with Bixby receiving an AI-powered overhaul as part of the One UI 8.5 ecosystem. More specifically, Samsung says Bixby has been, “upgraded to operate as a conversational device agent.” “The update makes interacting with Galaxy devices more intuitive, as users can simply ask for what they need through natural language. Additionally, it expands access to up-to-date answers from the open web,” it shared in an announcement. “Bixby allows people to control and navigate Galaxy devices using natural language, without the need for exact setting names or commands. It doesn’t need to learn how device menus are structured or remember specific terms to get things done; users can simply describe what they want, or ask why something is happening on their device, in their own words. Bixby understands the intent and takes the appropriate action, reducing the time and effort required to manage everyday device settings and features,” it continued. For all intents and purposes, then, it appears as if Bixby in One UI 8.5 will serve as a replacement for Google Gemini on future Galaxy smartphones. That said, Google is still likely doing a lot of the heavy lifting in the background, with Bixby serving as the user-facing interaction. Much like what Apple is planning for Siri later this year, it looks like Samsung supercharged the intuitiveness of Bixby, along with adding more device-specific context to the experience. “Rather than offering generic instructions, Bixby can also identify the current settings of the device and suggest various possible solutions. This reduces trial and error, helping people complete tasks more quickly, even when they are unfamiliar with the device or its features,” it explained. Bixby’s functionality is also extending to browser-based search, taking a leaf out of the Google playbook and keeping users within its environment instead of clicking elsewhere. “Bixby also supports real-time web search capabilities. Through Perplexity, it can access live and up-to-date information, with results appearing within Bixby’s own user interface. This means people can explore topics and get answers to questions as part of one consistent and seamless experience. Without being redirected to a separate browser or app, users can find what they need more quickly and stay focused on the task at hand,” it highlighted.