Samsung's ai assistant u-turn: what happened to 'hey plex'?

Samsung Galaxy S26 owners are scratching their heads after a perplexing vanishing act: the promised “Hey Plex” wake word for the Perplexity AI assistant has seemingly disappeared, just weeks after the phones’ launch. The abrupt shift raises questions about Samsung’s commitment to a multi-AI approach and leaves users wondering if they’ll ever get the hands-free experience they were initially promised.

A partnership gone quiet

The Galaxy S26 lineup was touted as offering users a choice of AI assistants – Bixby, Google Gemini, and Perplexity. The integration with Perplexity, utilizing the “Hey Plex” command, was presented as a key differentiator, allowing users to tap into the AI’s powerful search and question-answering capabilities. But a recent February update appears to have broken that promise for many.

Reports began surfacing that the “Hey Plex” wake word no longer functions. While the Perplexity app itself remains operational – accessible manually or through the side button – the core hands-free activation is gone. Even more concerning, the assistant’s option has vanished from the Galaxy S26’s voice assistant settings menu.

The deleted explanation and a shifting narrative

What initially appeared to be a simple software glitch took a stranger turn when Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas briefly posted on X (formerly Twitter) stating that the company was transitioning the wake word to “Hey Perplexity.” The post was quickly deleted, fueling speculation and adding to the confusion.

Adding to the intrigue, Samsung has also removed its original newsroom announcement detailing the “Hey Plex” integration. Archived versions of the announcement still exist, but Samsung has offered no correction or explanation for the removal, further muddying the waters. Is this a course correction, a temporary setback, or something else entirely?

The timing is particularly frustrating for early adopters who were eager to test the new AI assistant feature. The sudden disappearance leaves many questioning Samsung's strategy and whether the initial promises were premature.

What we know and what remains unclear

Currently, it’s clear that Perplexity still functions on Galaxy S26 devices, but the “Hey Plex” wake word is either missing or broken for some users. There are strong indications that a transition to “Hey Perplexity” is planned, though this hasn't been officially confirmed. Samsung remains conspicuously silent, leaving users in the dark. Android Authority has reportedly reached out to Samsung for comment, but a response has yet to emerge.

The deleted comments, the missing wake word, and Samsung’s lack of communication send a worrying signal. While adjustments to software integrations are common, the abruptness and opacity of this situation raise concerns about Samsung’s commitment to the Perplexity partnership and the user experience. For now, the Galaxy S26’s AI assistant landscape remains in flux.