Deutsche Telekom launches affordable AI phone with Perplexity

Deutsche Telekom has launched its new T Phone 3 and T Tablet 2, branding them as the “AI-phone” and “AI-tablet” in a Perplexity partnership.

The German telecoms giant is positioning the new devices not just as hardware upgrades, but as gateways to AI for everyone. The core of this strategy is a dedicated magenta button on the device, providing instant access to the Perplexity Assistant.

This integrated AI companion is designed to assist with a wide range of daily tasks. Instead of users needing to find and download separate applications, the AI-phone offers a built-in solution for everything from finding a recipe for leftover ingredients to planning a holiday. The assistant can be activated by pressing the magenta button or with a double-click of the power key, accepting queries via voice or text.

The system interfaces with pre-installed applications to perform actions directly. It can function as a personal secretary by creating calendar entries or summarising emails, or as a language genius for translating a menu in a foreign restaurant. The integration also allows it to become a virtual travel agent, capable of planning itineraries and making restaurant reservations through OpenTable or ordering a taxi via Uber. Further capabilities include providing nutrition tips, creating fitness plans, and offering shopping recommendations.

Dominique Leroy, Board Member for Europe at Deutsche Telekom, said: “Together with trusted partners, we’re bringing the AI-phone to people across Europe. It takes care of everyday tasks and quickly finds reliable information, saving you time and energy. So you can focus on what truly matters—where your ideas, creativity, and personal touch make the real difference.”

The push for accessibility is backed by an aggressive pricing model. In Germany, the AI-phone is priced at €149, while the AI-tablet will be available for €199. When bundled with a network tariff, each device costs just one euro.

This pricing even includes an 18-month subscription to Perplexity Pro, which complements the standard Perplexity Assistant that remains on the devices permanently. As an additional incentive, buyers will receive a three-month Picsart Pro licence with 500 extra credits each month.

Deutsche Telekom’s launch of its new AI phone and tablet is not limited to Germany. Customers in Austria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, and Slovakia can also purchase the devices starting today (though pricing will vary between markets.)

Beyond the AI features, the new T Phone 3 and T Tablet 2 offer notable hardware improvements. Both devices benefit from an upgraded chipset for faster performance and shorter charging times. The AI-phone also incorporates modern AI tools directly into its camera, allowing users to create AI avatars and edit image backgrounds through the partnership with Picsart.

The T Tablet 2 is designed for productivity and creativity, featuring a large, eye-friendly screen powered by TCL NXTPAPER technology. This provides three distinct screen modes for reading, studying, or drawing. A compatible T-Pen stylus is available separately for €29.95. A “Pro” version of the AI-phone is also slated for release later this year.

Sustainability has also been a focus for Deutsche Telekom. The T Phone 3 has earned the company’s #GreenMagenta label and a 90 out of 100 score in the smartphone Eco Rating. The T Tablet 2 demonstrates a commitment to the circular economy, with 75 percent of its back panel made from post-consumer recycled plastic.

Deutsche Telekom is also extending some AI benefits to its wider customer base. Through the MeinMagenta app, all customers can now access “Magenta AI,” a new feature that provides free access to Perplexity’s answer engine and an AI background editor for images powered by Picsart.

Claudia Nemat, Board Member for Technology and Innovation at Deutsche Telekom, commented: “Artificial intelligence is the big technology of our time. It changes a lot. But there is still some reluctance. We believe AI offers significant opportunities. To use those, people need to take part and try out AI tools. ‘Our’ AI-phone and Magenta AI features in the app give our customers compact access to various AI services and allow them to explore this technology first-hand.”

This launch aligns with strong market forecasts. Analysts at IDC predict that shipments of generative AI-capable smartphones will reach 912 million units by 2028, accounting for 70 percent of the total market. This growth is attributed by Canalys to rising consumer demand for AI-driven features and parallel advancements in chipset technology.

Furthermore, a report from Kantar Worldpanel ComTech notes that European consumers are most interested in AI functionalities like real-time translation, camera enhancements, and search tools, all of which are featured on Deutsche Telekom’s new device.

(Image credit: Deutsche Telekom)

See also: Mobile messaging shift: AI and rich media take over

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Tags: ai, artificial intelligence, deutsche telekom, hardware, mobile, networks, Operators, perplexity ai, smartphones, tablets, telecoms