Samsung’s S26 Ushers in a New Era of AI-Powered App Integration, While Apple’s Siri Upgrade Faces Delays

The promise of truly intelligent voice assistants capable of seamlessly completing tasks on your behalf is finally materializing, albeit with a fragmented rollout. While Apple’s overhaul of Siri, powered by Google’s Gemini AI, experiences delays, Samsung is taking the lead with its Galaxy S26 series, showcasing the potential of AI to autonomously interact with third-party applications.

Samsung S26: Gemini Takes Control

Samsung unveiled the Galaxy S26 series on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, placing Google’s Gemini artificial intelligence at the forefront of its functionality. This launch marks a significant step forward for Gemini, allowing it to operate autonomously within third-party apps like Uber.

The S26 doesn’t rely on a single AI engine. Instead, it integrates three distinct AI systems: Google’s Gemini for agentic tasks, Perplexity for web-based queries, and an upgraded version of Samsung’s own Bixby, powered by a more capable in-house large language model. This multi-agent approach reflects the intensifying competition in the smartphone AI landscape and Samsung’s strategy of diversifying its AI partnerships.

Samsung first integrated Gemini into its smartphones with the Galaxy S24 in January 2024, and further deepened the integration with the S25 a year later. With the S26, Gemini can now take autonomous action within third-party apps, a capability previously limited to Samsung’s own applications.

How it Works: A Step-by-Step Example

Users can instruct Gemini to perform tasks such as “Get me an Uber to the airport.” The AI will open the Uber app in a virtual window and execute the action in the background, providing users with a live notification to monitor its progress. If clarification is needed – for example, specifying which airport in the New York tristate area – Gemini will prompt the user for additional information. Once completed, a notification will alert the user, directing them to the Uber app to finalize the booking, including selecting a ride type and confirming the fare.

According to Sameer Samat, president of the Android Ecosystem at Google, these automated tasks can be viewed as “digital laundry—things that you know you need to do, but are not necessarily excited about finishing.”

Apple’s Siri Upgrade Delayed

While Samsung pushes the boundaries of AI integration, Apple’s plans to revamp Siri with Gemini are facing setbacks. Reports indicate that the launch of some features may be pushed to May or September. Apple initially announced a multiyear agreement with Google, reportedly worth $1 billion annually, in January to utilize Gemini models for the next generation of Siri. Apple CEO Tim Cook reiterated the collaboration during the company’s Q1 2026 earnings call, emphasizing that Apple Intelligence will continue to operate on Apple hardware and Private Cloud Compute while maintaining industry-leading privacy standards.

The partnership with Google is seen as a collaboration, with Apple continuing to develop its own AI technology independently. However, Google’s Gemini will power the personalized version of Siri.

The Broader Implications

The advancements showcased by Samsung and the anticipated improvements to Siri highlight the growing importance of AI in the smartphone market. Apple’s decision to partner with Google demonstrates a shift in strategy, acknowledging the capabilities of existing AI technology rather than solely relying on internal development. As AI-powered services gain adoption, the demand for these features is expected to increase, shaping the future of mobile technology.