Gemini can handle useful cross-app requests on a Galaxy phone, but a week of trying it is not enough to call it a complete Bixby replacement. It may suit you better for questions and tasks that span apps; Bixby remains Samsung’s device-focused assistant, and its capabilities are evolving. The author’s week is a personal account, not a controlled comparison or a promise that every command will work on every Galaxy.
What changed after switching to Gemini
The main difference is the kind of assistant each one is designed to be. Gemini is Google’s assistant for questions and supported tasks across apps. Bixby is Samsung’s device agent, intended to help control Galaxy functions. Those roles overlap, but neither assistant is a universal substitute for the other.
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In the week described here, the practical appeal of Gemini was asking for a task that involved more than one app rather than opening each app and moving information by hand. That is a useful change in approach, but it is not proof that Gemini is more reliable overall. Independent coverage has also described Gemini handling much of the assistant activity on a Galaxy S25, while noting occasional stalls and sensitivity to pauses in compound commands; that is a reviewer’s experience, not a controlled head-to-head test. Tom’s Guide’s week-in-use account provides context, not a guarantee of how it will behave on your phone.
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Samsung documents Gemini workflows involving Maps, Samsung Messages, YouTube, Samsung Notes, and Samsung Calendar. Examples include finding information in one service and preparing a message, saving video information to Notes, or adding information found in a search to Calendar. These examples show intended capabilities; they do not guarantee that every request will work with every device, app version, or permission setup. Samsung’s guide to Gemini on Galaxy notes that permissions may be required and that some actions need a final confirmation, such as tapping Send.
#1 Best Overall
- PRIVACY DISPLAY: Automatically hide your screen from those beside you. The built-in privacy display can be preset¹ to turn on when receiving notifications, typing passwords, or using specific apps
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist² with Galaxy AI.³ Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- NIGHTS, CAPTURED CLEARLY: From gigs to city lights, record and capture moments after dark with clarity using Nightography so your photos and videos stay crisp and clear on your Samsung Galaxy
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile phone, whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more⁴
- HELP THAT KEEPS UP: Stay in the moment while Now Nudge with Galaxy AI helps you respond faster and stay organized with smart suggestions⁵ that appear exactly when you need them on your phone
Where this helps
- Moving information between apps: Ask Gemini to find something and use it in a supported Samsung app, rather than manually copying details.
- Preparing an action: Gemini may assemble a message or calendar entry, but you may still need to review or confirm it.
- Keeping the request conversational: A multi-step prompt can be convenient when the assistant understands the sequence, but pausing or adding clauses may affect how it handles the request.
Where the week’s experience has limits
A command that stalls or needs rephrasing is a real friction point, but one person’s prompts cannot establish which assistant is more accurate in general. Treat multi-step requests as something to check before relying on them: confirm the recipient, content, date, or other details before an action is sent or saved.
Why Gemini is not a full Bixby replacement
Google’s own help documentation lists familiar Google Assistant functions that Gemini does not support, including media service providers and Interpreter mode. Google advises people who depend on a missing feature to switch back to Google Assistant. That makes “I’ll never go back” too broad as a general recommendation: whether Gemini can replace your current assistant depends on the specific tasks you use. Google’s list of Gemini mobile-app feature limits is the right place to check for a must-have feature.
Rank #2
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Bixby is also not a frozen fallback. Samsung announced a redesigned Bixby in the One UI 8.5 beta, describing natural-language device controls and open-web answers. Samsung Electronics COO Won-Joon Choi said the redesign aims to enable “more natural interactions and intuitive device control, reducing friction in everyday tasks.” Samsung’s February 19, 2026 announcement listed initial beta availability in Germany, India, Korea, Poland, the UK, and the US, with broader rollout planned. Those beta details do not mean the feature is available on every Galaxy or in every market. Samsung’s One UI 8.5 announcement describes the announced scope.
How to make Gemini your Galaxy default
Samsung’s US support instructions give this route; available choices can differ by phone and software version.
Rank #3
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist¹ with Galaxy AI.² Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more³
- FAST. POWERFUL. AI-READY: Power through your day with AI-accelerated performance from our fastest, smoothest and most powerful Galaxy processor yet, built to keep up with everything you do
- IMMENSELY IMMERSIVE: No matter where you are or what you’re watching, your favorite videos and more come to life with the vibrant display on Galaxy S26
- FIT EVERYONE IN THE SHOT: Group selfies are easier on your Samsung phone with a wider front camera⁴ that captures more of the scene, so no one gets left out of the moment
- Open Settings > Apps > Choose default apps > Digital assistant app.
- Select Google as the digital assistant app.
- To launch it with the Side button, open the Side button settings, assign the long press to Digital assistant, then select Google as the assistant.
Samsung says menu options vary by device and software version. If the labels or choices on your phone differ, consult the support page for the Galaxy model and software you use rather than assuming the same path is available everywhere. Samsung’s setup instructions cover default-assistant selection and the Side button.
Which assistant should you use?
| What matters to you | Better fit to try first | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Requests that move information across supported apps | Gemini | Whether the relevant apps, permissions, and confirmation steps work on your phone. |
| Controlling Galaxy device functions | Bixby is Samsung’s device agent | Which controls are supported in your software version and region; One UI 8.5 beta capabilities are not universal. |
| A particular Google Assistant feature you rely on | Check Gemini’s supported features before switching | Google lists gaps, including media service providers and Interpreter mode; switch back if a must-have is missing. |
| Consistency across different Galaxy models | Test on your own device | Availability can depend on device, software, region, carrier, and app version. |
Google promotes Gemini as built into the Galaxy S25 series, but that positioning should not be read as a promise that every Galaxy has identical features. Google and Samsung both qualify availability by device, software, region, or carrier. Google’s Galaxy S25 series page identifies the product family while noting feature variation.
Rank #4
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Verdict: make the switch based on your must-haves
If your everyday requests involve finding information and using it across supported apps, Gemini is worth setting as the default and trying with your own prompts. If you rely on a Google Assistant feature Gemini does not yet support, or your priority is Galaxy-specific control, keep Bixby in the picture. A week can show which assistant feels better for one person’s routine; it cannot establish a universal winner, and feature availability varies across Galaxy devices.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with other CDMA carriers, and it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
- Camera: 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro). Battery: 5000 mAh, non-removable | A power adapter is NOT included.
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