Perplexity AI Seeks to Disrupt Mobile Browsing with Pre-Installed Comet Browser

AI startup Perplexity, backed by major investors like Nvidia, is in advanced discussions with smartphone manufacturers such as Apple and Samsung to pre-install its AI-powered Comet browser on mobile devices. The initiative aims to challenge the dominance of established browsers like Google Chrome and Apple Safari, which collectively hold more than 90% of the mobile browser market. Perplexity is currently valued at approximately $14 billion and sees this strategy as a pivotal step in reshaping how users interact with the internet.

The Comet browser, launched in May 2024, represents a shift from traditional browsing to what experts call “agentic AI”. This type of AI browser doesn’t just display web pages—it actively helps users complete tasks like summarizing information, booking services, sending emails, and managing calendars. It features an integrated assistant called “Sidecar”, which can access a user’s browser history, emails, and other personal data (with permission) to answer contextual questions and execute commands.

Perplexity’s CEO Aravind Srinivas explained that pre-installation on new phones could lead to a rapid surge in user adoption, potentially from hundreds of thousands to hundreds of millions globally. However, achieving this will not be easy, as existing browser deals between OEMs and companies like Google are legally binding and highly lucrative. Google, for example, pays Apple billions annually to retain Chrome and Search as default services.

Another challenge lies in Comet’s heavy computational requirements. Its AI-driven operations demand significant processing power, which could pose hurdles for smooth performance on mobile devices.

Despite these obstacles, Perplexity remains confident. The company is part of a growing trend where AI-first browsing is being seen as the next evolution of user experience. With rivals like OpenAI also entering the space, the AI browser wars are heating up, potentially redefining internet use on smartphones and beyond.