With the launch of the iPhone 16 Pro, Apple has integrated a host of exciting new features that have captured the attention of tech enthusiasts around the world. One of the most anticipated innovations is the new AI voice assistant, Perplexity. This voice assistant promises to be a powerful alternative to other voice assistants like Siri, Google Assistant, and Amazon Alexa. As a longtime iPhone user, I was eager to test it out on the iPhone 16 Pro to see how it stacks up. In this review, I’ll be sharing my hands-on experience with Perplexity, highlighting its strengths and shortcomings.
What is Perplexity’s AI Voice Assistant?
Perplexity is a next-generation AI voice assistant that aims to make interactions with your device more intuitive and natural. Unlike other assistants that often sound robotic or struggle with complex commands, Perplexity is designed to engage in fluid, dynamic conversations while understanding and responding to a wide variety of commands with precision.
Its integration with iPhone 16 Pro leverages the latest iOS features, promising an enhanced experience across a range of tasks like setting reminders, sending messages, controlling smart home devices, and providing real-time information.
The Setup and User Experience
Setting up Perplexity on the iPhone 16 Pro was simple and hassle-free. The process was largely similar to setting up Siri, with a straightforward walkthrough that involves enabling voice activation and syncing your device with the assistant’s capabilities. Once activated, Perplexity can be triggered by saying “Hey Perplexity” or by pressing the voice button on the iPhone.
User-Friendly Interface:
The user interface is clean and intuitive, ensuring that users of all tech levels can access and utilize Perplexity‘s functions with ease. The voice assistant’s settings are easy to customize, allowing you to personalize its responses, set preferences, and integrate it with your most-used apps.
Where Perplexity’s AI Voice Assistant Excels
After testing Perplexity on the iPhone 16 Pro for several days, here are the areas where it truly shines:
1. Accuracy and Speed
One of the key strengths of Perplexity is its accuracy. In contrast to many other voice assistants that misinterpret commands or struggle with complex phrases, Perplexity handles instructions with remarkable precision. For instance, when I asked it to set up multiple reminders, create calendar events, and send messages, it executed each task flawlessly. It is fast, quick to respond, and ensures minimal errors, making it far superior in this aspect compared to its competitors.
I also tested it with a more detailed request: “Create a reminder to call John tomorrow at 10 AM, and add a note about the meeting agenda.” The assistant understood the full command without hesitation, setting up the reminder and adding the note without any errors. This is a big win in comparison to some of the more commonly used voice assistants that fail to recognize complex instructions accurately.
2. Natural Conversations
Another area where Perplexity shines is in conversational fluidity. Unlike other voice assistants that can feel robotic or stiff, Perplexity engages in natural conversations. I had a back-and-forth chat with the assistant regarding weather updates, sports scores, and even local restaurants. Unlike Siri, which often requires the user to start from scratch each time, Perplexity picks up on context from previous queries, making it feel more like an ongoing conversation.
For example, after asking Perplexity for the current weather, I followed up by saying, “What about tomorrow?” It understood the context of my initial question and immediately provided the forecast for the following day. This is a seamless experience that many other assistants fail to provide, as they require full context with each new query.
3. Contextual Understanding
Another standout feature of Perplexity is its contextual understanding. This feature allows the assistant to interpret follow-up questions more accurately by remembering the context of prior requests. It doesn’t just repeat what you’ve said; instead, it draws on prior information to provide smarter, more relevant answers.
For example, after asking Perplexity for the current stock price of a particular company, I followed up by asking, “Has it increased or decreased from yesterday?” The assistant immediately understood that I was referring to the same company and provided an insightful answer, instead of asking me to repeat details.
4. App and Service Integration
One of the key features of any voice assistant is its integration with apps and services, and Perplexity excels in this area. It can seamlessly connect with third-party apps like Spotify, Google Maps, and Apple Music. Whether you’re playing music, requesting directions, or even ordering food through a delivery app, Perplexity handles all these tasks with ease.
For example, when I asked Perplexity to play a playlist on Apple Music, it immediately pulled up the relevant tracks, all without any issues. Similarly, when I needed directions to a nearby café, it connected effortlessly with Google Maps, guiding me step-by-step.
5. Multi-User Recognition
Another significant advantage of Perplexity is its ability to recognize multiple voices and adjust responses based on the individual user. This feature is particularly useful in households or families where multiple people share a device. Perplexity can distinguish between different voices and provide personalized recommendations, settings, and responses. For instance, if you ask it to play music, it can offer playlist recommendations based on your voice profile and music preferences.
Where Perplexity’s AI Voice Assistant Falters
While Perplexity offers a solid experience, there are still several areas where it falls short:
1. Limited Regional Availability
One downside to Perplexity is its limited availability in certain regions. While it supports several major languages, there are still gaps in language options and regional compatibility. For instance, when I tried asking it to use regional apps or book services in local languages, Perplexity sometimes couldn’t process the request correctly. Google Assistant and Siri currently offer more extensive regional support, especially in countries where technology infrastructure is still developing.
2. Battery Drain Issues
During my usage, I also observed that Perplexity can drain the battery more quickly than other voice assistants. If you engage with it extensively for tasks like searching the web, setting reminders, or controlling smart home devices, you’ll notice that your iPhone 16 Pro’s battery drops faster. This is particularly noticeable when the assistant is running in the background while you’re completing multiple tasks.
3. Customization Limitations
Although Perplexity is easy to use, its customization options are still somewhat limited. While you can tweak the voice and set preferences for basic functionality, there is a lack of advanced customization options. For instance, there is no way to adjust how Perplexity responds to specific commands or tasks. Siri allows for more nuanced customization, such as adjusting reminders based on your location, which Perplexity currently does not.
4. Offline Functionality
Another limitation of Perplexity is that it requires an internet connection to function effectively. While other voice assistants like Google Assistant offer some degree of offline functionality, Perplexity still struggles when used in low-connectivity areas. This is an inconvenience when traveling or in regions with limited internet access.
Perplexity’s AI voice assistant on the iPhone 16 Pro brings many impressive features to the table, including natural conversations, contextual understanding, accurate responses, and seamless app integration. It’s a significant leap forward in AI voice assistant technology, providing a better user experience for iPhone users.
However, there are still areas for improvement, such as regional limitations, battery drain, and offline functionality. While it is certainly a great option for those looking for a smart and intuitive voice assistant, Perplexity may not be the perfect solution for everyone—especially for users in regions with limited internet access or those who require advanced customization features.
Perplexity is a promising contender in the voice assistant space, and with future updates, it has the potential to outshine its competitors.
