Perplexity AI Seeks Smartphone Deals to Pre-Install Comet Browser, Challenging Google Chrome
Perplexity AI, the fast-growing AI search engine startup backed by Nvidia, Jeff Bezos, and Eric Schmidt, is actively negotiating with smartphone manufacturers to pre-install its upcoming Comet browser on mobile devices. The move is aimed at disrupting Google Chrome’s dominance and boosting the adoption of Perplexity’s AI-driven search and browsing tools.
In an exclusive interview with Reuters, CEO Aravind Srinivas confirmed that the company is in talks with mobile OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) about making Comet the default browser on smartphones.
“It’s not easy to convince mobile OEMs to change the default browser to Comet from Chrome,” Srinivas admitted, citing strong user loyalty to pre-installed apps.
Comet: Perplexity’s AI-Powered Web Browser
Currently in beta testing for desktop, Comet integrates Perplexity’s agentic AI directly into the browser. This allows users to:
- Ask complex questions based on personal data (emails, calendars, browsing history)
- Perform tasks like scheduling meetings, summarising webpages, and more
- Use a conversational AI interface for a seamless web experience
Perplexity plans to expand Comet to “tens to hundreds of millions” of users in 2026 after stabilising the product with its current few hundred thousand desktop testers.
Taking on Tech Giants: Chrome, Safari & Samsung
According to Statcounter, Google Chrome holds a 70% share of the mobile browser market, followed by Apple Safari and Samsung Internet, which together make up another 24%.
To break into this space, Perplexity is reportedly holding discussions with Samsung Electronics and Apple, potentially to integrate its AI capabilities into built-in assistants like Bixby and Siri, as previously reported by Bloomberg.
The Rise of Agentic AI Browsers
The push for Comet comes amid a growing industry trend toward agentic AI browsers, tools that go beyond search to automate tasks like travel booking, financial management, and daily scheduling with minimal user input.
Perplexity isn’t alone in this effort. OpenAI is also working on a similar AI browser product, signalling a race to redefine how users interact with the web.
Backed by $500M and Tech Titans
Earlier this year, Perplexity AI closed a $500 million investment round, bringing its valuation to $14 billion. Major investors include:
- Accel
- Nvidia
- Jeff Bezos
- Eric Schmidt (former Google CEO)
This financial backing gives Perplexity the resources to challenge Google’s entrenched position in the mobile browser market.
Conclusion
As Perplexity AI ramps up negotiations with smartphone makers to embed the Comet browser, the company is positioning itself at the forefront of a new era of AI-integrated web browsing. If successful, the move could shift user habits and disrupt the browser market currently dominated by Google, Apple, and Samsung.
