It’s déjà vu with a touch of Silicon Valley spite.
Samsung, in its quiet ambition to plant Perplexity AI into its flagship devices, may have just been Apple’d. And no, that’s not a typo—it’s a verb now. To be Apple’d means getting scooped, shut out, or flat-out blindsided by Cupertino’s uncanny talent for showing up late, loud, and with a billion-dollar check in hand.
“The ink wasn’t even dry.”
That’s how one senior executive at a Samsung partner firm described the mood last week when whispers started swirling that Apple—yes, the same Apple that took forever to even say “AI” out loud—was circling Perplexity AI like a hawk over a startup buffet.
“They’ve been scouting LLM startups for months,” said Dr. Elena Rodriguez, an MIT economist who tracks tech M&A trends. “But Perplexity fits their profile too well: clean UX, search reimagined, privacy-forward branding. If Apple doesn’t make a move, someone else will.”
Apparently, someone already tried.
Samsung, according to a report from The Information, had been in early talks with Perplexity to explore embedding its AI search assistant across Galaxy devices. The move made sense. Google’s Gemini was already entrenched—but Samsung has always played both sides of the street. (Just ask Microsoft.)
Then again, Apple showing interest? That changes everything.
What Even Is Perplexity?
Imagine ChatGPT and Google Search had a lovechild that wasn’t as creepy as Bing and didn’t track your every move. That’s Perplexity AI.
Its draw? Real-time search powered by generative AI—but without the corporate baggage. For users, it’s like asking your smart friend a question and actually getting a readable answer back, sourced and cited.
Perplexity’s rise has been swift. Reddit threads on r/Futurology call it “the first real Google killer.” Investors see it as the “fastest-growing AI interface no one over 40 has heard of.” And now? The big dogs want it.
Samsung’s Soft Spot for AI... Just Got Bruised
Here’s the thing—Samsung’s AI push has been uneven. Yes, Gemini powers Galaxy AI now, but users complain it’s “Google in a tuxedo.” Functional, but not thrilling.
Perplexity, by contrast, promised Samsung something more novel: personality.
“They wanted to give users a unique, non-Google AI layer,” said an industry source close to Samsung’s software team. “Perplexity checked that box—until Apple crashed the party.”
And let’s be real—Apple doesn’t show up unless it’s ready to own the room.
Apple’s Master Plan? Or Just a Distraction?
A leaked internal memo from a VC firm familiar with Apple’s due diligence reads, in part: “Perplexity offers Apple an off-ramp from Google reliance. More importantly, it gives them narrative control heading into iOS 19.”
Translation: Apple’s tired of Google Search paying rent on its home screen.
But would Apple really buy Perplexity just to keep it off Android?
“Well... they’ve done worse,” said tech analyst Priyanka Das. “Remember Shazam? Beats? Apple doesn’t just buy tech. It buys momentum—and then buries the competition with it.”
Ouch.
Reddit Reacts, Because of Course It Does
One top comment on a now-viral post in r/technology reads:
“Samsung should just stick to hardware. Apple’s gonna Sherlock this like they always do.”
Another chimed in:
“If Apple buys Perplexity, it’s game over. Galaxy AI will look like a budget version of Siri 2.0.”
Okay, maybe that’s a stretch. But the sentiment? Brutally clear.
FAQs (But Human, Not Robotic)
Q: What happens if Apple buys Perplexity AI?
A: If the deal goes through, expect tighter AI integration in iOS 19—and Samsung might have to find another date to prom.
Q: Could Samsung still work with Perplexity?
A: Maybe, but unlikely. Apple doesn’t do open relationships when it comes to core tech.
Q: Why is this such a big deal?
A: Because this is about more than AI—it’s about who controls the future of search, privacy, and user experience on your phone.
Final Thought?
This isn’t just about Perplexity AI. It’s about an industry where alliances shift faster than app store rankings. Samsung saw potential. Apple saw threat.
And like clockwork, Apple moved first.
Moral of the story? In Big Tech, it’s not who has the idea. It’s who has the leverage.