Perplexity AI, the Nvidia-backed startup known for its AI-powered search engine, is negotiating with major smartphone makers—Samsung and Apple—to pre-install its Comet browser on mobile devices. CEO Aravind Srinivas shared that this move aims to leverage browser “stickiness” and accelerate user growth for Comet—currently in desktop beta—with plans to expand to tens or even hundreds of millions of users by next year.
🌐 Why This Strategy Matters
- Browser Stickiness…users are unlikely to switch from a pre-installed default browser like Chrome, giving Comet a better chance at adoption.
- Agentic AI Integration…Comet is more than just a browser: it embeds Perplexity AI to enable task automation like scheduling, summarization, and emailing from within browsing sessions.
- Direct Competition with Google…With Chrome holding 70% of mobile browser share, integrating Comet at the OEM level is crucial to challenge entrenched defaults.
🚀 Comet’s Ambitions and Features
- Built on Chromium with integrated AI assistant (“sidecar”) that can summarize pages, perform intent-based actions, and automate workflows across numerous tabs.
- Still in beta and currently limited to Perplexity Max subscribers ($200/month). Broader rollout is planned via invite list.
- Perplexity ambitions include expanding to mobile OS integration (e.g. enhancing Siri / Bixby), with Samsung possibly replacing Gemini assistant on Galaxy devices.
📊 Strategic Benefits of OEM Pre‑Installation
| Benefit | Impact |
|---|---|
| Mass User Reach | Tap into tens of millions of new users early |
| Boost Brand Visibility | Comet becomes a default interaction point |
| Data & AI Feedback Loop | Better user context for task-based AI models |
| Competitive Edge | Challenges Chrome dominance effectively |
🔭 What’s Next?
- OEM Dialogues Continue: Talks with Samsung and Apple could result in default browser or assistant integrations in 2026 device launches.
- Scaling Comet Usage: From its current base of early desktop testers to mainstream mobile audiences in 2026.The Indian Express
- AI Browser Wars Intensify: OpenAI, Google, Microsoft, and others are also preparing AI-enhanced browsers—making pre-install deals a pivotal battleground
✅ Final Take
Perplexity’s pursuit of OEM-pre-installation for Comet browser strategically targets user stickiness, AI-native workflows, and a pathway to dethrone Chrome. If successful, this move could accelerate the adoption of agentic AI browsing and position Comet as a true competitor in the mobile browser arena.
