This week, a bold new development in the AI-powered search world is turning heads and smartphones. Perplexity, the fast-rising AI-powered search engine known for delivering real-time, citation-backed answers, is now eyeing a serious leap into mobile territory. In an exclusive with Reuters, CEO Aravind Srinivas confirmed that the company is in active discussions with smartphone manufacturers to pre-install its new browser, Comet, directly onto devices. Now pause for a moment and think how often do you switch from the default browser that came with your phone? Exactly. Let’s see what this really means for mobile search, AI-powered browsing and the big players who dominate the space today. ### Magic of AI in your hands | Airtel brings Perplexity Pro AI worth ₹17,000 free for all Airtel users. ### What Is Perplexity Trying to Achieve? Perplexity’s ambition is simple but quite difficult: to break into a market dominated by Chrome, Safari and Samsung Internet by becoming the default browser of choice for millions of users globally. Why is that important? Because once a browser is pre-installed or worse (or better?), set as default—most users just… stick with it. It is called “browser stickiness.” You get used to it, you open links in it and you rarely bother to change it. Srinivas acknowledges this challenge clearly: “It’s not easy to convince mobile OEMs to change the default browser to Comet from Chrome,” he told Reuters, referring to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). Still, Perplexity believes that with the right mix of functionality and partnerships, users will start seeing AI as the default layer of search and not just an optional assistant. ### What Makes Comet Different from Chrome or Safari? At first watch, launching yet another browser might seem like reinventing the wheel. But Comet is not just a browser. ![Chrome or Safari](https://www.stanventures.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Chrome-or-Safari.png) It is a fully AI-integrated experience, currently available in beta for desktop. And it does more than load webpages. Imagine opening your browser and being able to ask: - When is my next dentist appointment?” - “Can you summarize the last five emails from HR?” - “Find me a good cafe near my next meeting.” That is what Comet does. It is designed to: - Pull and understand personal data like emails, calendars and browsing history (with permission). - Answer questions with live, cited data. - Perform tasks like scheduling meetings, summarizing documents and building personalized plans. Basically, Comet turns your browser into a smart assistant that thinks and acts not just shows links. ### Why the Push for Pre-Installation Now? The timing is more than strategic. It is essential. According to Statcounter, as of last month: - Chrome commands 70% of the mobile browser market share. - Safari and Samsung Internet share the next 24%.** ** That leaves a very narrow window for disruption. But if Perplexity can land a major OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) deal, it could ride that wave of default-user behavior into millions of devices almost overnight. A Bloomberg report in June even hinted that Perplexity was already in talks with Samsung Electronics, a move that and if it goes through could shake up the Android ecosystem. ## Why Now? Timing, Momentum and Market Opportunity Perplexity’s move comes at a time when the broader tech ecosystem is showing strong momentum toward AI-integrated browsing. OpenAI, for example, is reported to be working on its own agentic AI browser, which could automate tasks like travel bookings, research analysis and personal finance management. Google itself continues to embed Gemini models deeper into Chrome and Search. The space is heating up fast. For Perplexity, being early matters. Getting on devices now before this AI-browsing market matures could help it secure loyal users before the space becomes saturated. And this is not just speculation. The company has the funding and ambition to match its vision. Earlier this year, Perplexity raised a massive $500 million in funding, reaching a valuation of $14 billion. Investors include heavyweights like Accel and Nvidia, signaling industry confidence in the company’s long-term impact. ## Airtel Partnership – Bringing Perplexity Pro to the Masses While talks with global OEMs are still ongoing, Perplexity has already started making headway in specific markets. ![Perplexity Pro](https://www.stanventures.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Perplexity-Pro.png) A notable example is its new partnership with Airtel, one of India’s largest telecom providers. ![partnership with Airtel](https://www.stanventures.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/partnership-with-Airtel.png) Through this partnership, Airtel users now get free access to Perplexity Pro for 12 months via the Airtel Thanks app. This is a strategic masterstroke, giving millions of users instant access to premium AI features such as: - 300 Pro searches per day - Advanced models like GPT, Gemini, Claude, and more - Document uploads and expert-level file analysis - AI-generated images But these are not just advantages. It is a glimpse into how Perplexity envisions AI as part of everyday life. Users are already using these tools for: - Personalized travel recommendations - Complex report summaries - Quick fact-checking and live research - Local business discovery with real-time context ## A Peek Into the Future: The Rise of Agentic AI Perplexity’s push into mobile browsing reflects a broader, more profound trend: the emergence of agentic AI. AI systems that do not just answer questions but act on your behalf. Imagine saying: “Plan a trip to Goa for the long weekend with budget hotels and local cafes near the beach,” …and your browser doesn’t just list 10 links but generates a full itinerary, books it (with permission), and adds reminders to your calendar. This is where browsing is going. And Comet, with its assistant-first approach, might be the first true browser designed for this era. **The Challenges Ahead** Despite the excitement, Perplexity’s road is not without obstacles. Convincing phone makers to pre-install a browser, especially one that competes directly with Google Chrome, is notoriously difficult. There are also user trust issues. Accessing personal data like emails or calendars, even with consent, requires a level of transparency and reliability that few new companies have earned yet. Moreover, changing user habits especially around something as fundamental as a web browser is hard. Chrome and Safari have years of optimization, familiarity and ecosystem integration working in their favor. But if Perplexity can show tangible improvements in productivity, personalization and accuracy, it might just turn enough heads. ## Can Perplexity Break the Mold? Let’s be honest that we have seen countless apps, browsers and AI assistants rise and fade. But Perplexity is not taking the same route. It is trying to redefine what a browser is and what search can be. Whether Comet becomes the next Chrome remains to be seen. But one thing is certain that we are entering a new chapter in how we find and interact with information. And Perplexity, with its bold bets and sharp focus, might be one of the leading storytellers.