Perplexity, the AI-powered conversational search engine, has officially brought its voice assistant to iPhones. The company is positioning its AI assistant as a direct alternative to Apple’s Siri. Considering all the features, it seems a worthy option for iPhone users.
What sets Perplexity apart from Siri is its proactive and task-oriented approach. While Siri is good at handling basic voice commands, Perplexity goes several steps further. For example, if you ask it to make a dinner reservation, it will not just pull up OpenTable for you. Instead, it will enter the relevant details like time, date, and number of guests. All you need to do is tap “Book.” This eliminates the need for back-and-forth prompts or typing, creating a smoother experience.
The assistant also shows its strength in multimedia tasks. Want to find a specific moment in a YouTube video? Just describe it, and Perplexity will locate and queue it up without requiring further input. This makes it a genuinely helpful assistant rather than just a voice command tool.
Even in tasks that Siri already handles, like writing emails or creating calendar events, Perplexity demonstrates superior comprehension of conversational language. It feels less robotic and more like talking to someone who truly understands the context. For example, when asked about signing up for an event this weekend, Siri might simply respond with, “Here’s what I found on the web.” In contrast, Perplexity could reply with, “I already filled out the form. Just click send,” depending on the situation.
This level of initiative makes Perplexity feel less like a passive tool and more like an intelligent assistant actively working for you.
Of course, Perplexity’s assistant is not without its limitations, especially on iOS. While you can initiate a conversation by opening the app and tapping the microphone, it lacks deeper system-level access that Siri enjoys. That means it cannot set alarms, mute notifications, or take photos. You also cannot use the camera for context-aware queries, something other assistants like ChatGPT’s voice mode can handle.
Screen sharing is another missing feature on iOS, even though it is available on Android. However, you can still navigate away from the app and continue speaking to the assistant, which is a welcome feature.
Getting started with Perplexity is simple. Once you install the app, tapping the mic icon initiates the assistant. When you request access to system apps, like reminders or contacts, it prompts you with permission requests. If you deny access, it offers alternative methods, such as allowing you to speak the contact number directly.
One of the key advantages of Perplexity’s assistant is its compatibility with older iPhones. Apple Intelligence is only available on newer models. So, Perplexity could be a good option for iPhone users who will not get Apple Intelligence. Perplexity’s AI assistant works even on devices like the iPhone 13 mini.
While Siri remains deeply integrated with iOS and handles system-level tasks effortlessly, Perplexity’s assistant seems to be a powerful alternative. Its conversational understanding, proactive behavior, and support for older devices make it a valuable tool for users looking for a smarter, more intuitive assistant.
