In a move that is making waves in the tech world, Perplexity, an AI search engine, has officially debuted on Motorola’s 2025 Razr devices. This launch comes amidst the ongoing Google antitrust trial, where Perplexity’s Chief Business Officer, Dmitry Shevelenko, testified that Google had blocked the company from becoming the default assistant on Motorola phones. The trial, which is centered around allegations of Google’s anticompetitive behavior, has raised questions about the company’s dominance over Android devices and its impact on innovation.
Perplexity and Google: A Blocked Deal
During his testimony in the trial, Shevelenko revealed that Perplexity had been in talks with Motorola last year about potentially becoming the default assistant on its devices. However, Motorola was unable to proceed with the deal due to its existing contract with Google, which mandates the use of Google Assistant on Android devices. Shevelenko likened the situation to having a “gun to your head,” pointing to the pressure placed on Motorola by Google’s distribution agreements.
Google has long required Android device makers to integrate its Assistant as the default assistant, a move that has limited opportunities for other AI-driven search engines like Perplexity. However, with Google pushing its new Gemini assistant as part of its broader AI strategy, the situation has started to shift. Motorola’s 2024 devices were among the first to prominently feature Gemini as the default assistant, leaving little room for Perplexity’s entry.
While Perplexity couldn’t secure a default placement on Motorola’s phones, the company still found a way in. The newly announced 2025 Razr models will include the Perplexity app preloaded on the devices. In addition, owners will receive three months of Perplexity Pro for free. However, despite its inclusion, Perplexity won’t be taking center stage. The default assistant remains Google’s Gemini, and Perplexity will be quietly integrated into the broader AI experience offered by Motorola.
Perplexity’s Role in the New Moto AI Experience
While Perplexity is not the default assistant on the 2025 Razr phones, it is integrated into the Moto AI platform, which powers a variety of features on the devices. The Perplexity app will suggest AI searches when accessing features like the calendar or browsing the web, appearing under the “Explore with Perplexity” banner. Additionally, Perplexity has been optimized to work with the external screen on Motorola’s foldable Razr devices.
This marks a significant milestone for Perplexity, as it’s the first time the AI search engine has secured a smartphone distribution deal. Despite its relatively low-profile placement, the deal with Motorola offers a unique opportunity for Perplexity to gain users and increase its visibility, though the deal is not without challenges. Google’s Gemini is still the default assistant on Motorola phones, meaning Perplexity’s presence may be limited.
Moto’s Multi-AI Strategy
Interestingly, Motorola’s 2025 Razr models are powered by not just one, but four different AI providers. While Gemini takes priority as the default assistant, other systems, including Microsoft Copilot and Meta’s Llama, have also been integrated into the Moto AI platform. For example, Microsoft’s Copilot will feature an “Ask Copilot” option, and Meta’s Llama model powers a feature called “Catch Me Up,” which summarizes notifications from select apps.
Motorola’s strategy of incorporating multiple AI providers into its devices raises questions about the reasoning behind such a move. On one hand, it seems to be a way to diversify the user experience and offer more options. On the other hand, it might also be a strategy to entice users from various AI ecosystems, each vying for a larger share of the mobile market.
However, despite these efforts to diversify, the reality remains that Perplexity, although integrated into the platform, is still playing second fiddle to Gemini. The question remains whether this will be enough to give Perplexity the boost it needs to compete in a crowded and highly competitive mobile AI space.
No Money Changed Hands in the Deal
It’s also worth noting that no money changed hands between Perplexity and Motorola in this deal. The agreement was made with the understanding that Motorola would offer Perplexity a platform to grow its user base. However, the question still lingers: with Gemini getting top billing, will Perplexity be able to gain a significant foothold in the competitive world of smartphone assistants?
While Perplexity’s app won’t be front-and-center on the Razr devices, its quiet integration into the Moto AI platform still offers a chance for the AI search engine to carve out a niche in the mobile ecosystem. As the battle between Google’s dominance and emerging AI players continues, this move could signal the beginning of a more diverse landscape in the mobile AI space.
Perplexity’s debut on Motorola’s 2025 Razr devices marks a significant moment for the AI search engine, particularly given the context of the ongoing antitrust trial against Google. While Perplexity may not have secured the default assistant position it had hoped for, its inclusion in Motorola’s AI-driven phones could provide the company with the visibility it needs to challenge Google’s hegemony in the mobile assistant space. As the smartphone industry continues to evolve, it will be fascinating to see how Perplexity and other AI-driven search engines navigate the complex relationship between Google’s dominance and the quest for innovation.
