Samsung Introduces AI-Driven Bixby as a Conversational Device Assistant
Samsung Electronics made a groundbreaking announcement on February 20, 2026. The tech giant has launched a beta program for a completely redesigned Bixby assistant. This new version transforms Bixby into a conversational device agent powered by AI. The update, which is part of One UI 8.5, signifies a major overhaul of Samsung’s voice assistant technology.
The new Bixby empowers Galaxy users to control their devices using natural language. This eliminates the need to remember exact setting names or commands. For instance, users can simply say “I don’t want the screen to time out while I’m still looking at it,” and Bixby will automatically enable the appropriate setting.
“Since we introduced our first AI phone in 2024, we’ve been committed to making them easier to use so more people can benefit from AI,”
said Won-Joon Choi, Chief Operating Officer of Samsung’s Mobile eXperience Business.
The redesigned assistant also features real-time web search capabilities powered by Perplexity. This allows users to access up-to-date information without leaving the Bixby interface.
The new Bixby is currently available in the One UI 8.5 beta in select markets. These include:
- United States
- United Kingdom
- Germany
- India
- Korea
- Poland
There are plans for a broader expansion. The update is expected to launch globally with the Galaxy S26 series. Samsung will unveil this at its Unpacked event on February 25, 2026.
Source: Samsung Global Newsroom