Perplexity just shipped a major upgrade for its Max users: Claude Opus 4.5, one of the most advanced AI models available today. The update significantly boosts reasoning, accuracy, and natural language skills — and it’s live inside Perplexity right now.

At the same time, Perplexity is quietly testing a brand-new Discover feed on iOS, reshaping how users browse information inside the app.

Here’s everything you need to know — and why it matters for the future of AI search.

Claude Opus 4.5 Arrives on Perplexity

Claude Opus 4.5 marks a serious step forward in Perplexity’s premium features. Early benchmarks show the model delivering:

Faster reasoning
More reliable long-form summaries
Better multi-step thinking
More accurate citations
More human-like explanations

What makes this upgrade meaningful isn’t just the model’s strength — it’s the way Perplexity integrates it into real workflows. Users can switch from browsing → answering → deep research without changing tools, which is something traditional search engines still don’t offer.

Our Take: Why This Model Actually Matters

AI search is shifting from “give me links” to “give me conclusions.” Claude Opus 4.5 pushes Perplexity deeper into that direction.

Here’s why this update feels like a genuine improvement:

1. Better at long, complex problems

People often use Perplexity to research topics that would take hours on Google. A smarter model means fewer mistakes and more trust in the results.

2. More natural explanations

Claude models excel at sounding human — this makes responses easier to read and understand.

3. Strong competitive edge vs ChatGPT and Gemini

This move signals that Perplexity wants to be the premium AI search assistant, not just a “fast answer bot.”

A New Discover Feed Is Being Tested on iOS

Alongside the model upgrade, Perplexity is experimenting with a redesigned Discover feed on iOS.

Here’s what’s changing:

Discover content appears directly on the home page
Users see trending queries, knowledge gaps, and general topics
Navigation becomes more dynamic and personalized
The layout looks more like a modern “For You” page than a simple search bar

This redesign could make Perplexity feel more interactive — especially for casual users who prefer guidance over typing prompts.

Although it’s still in closed testing, early testers say the new feed makes Perplexity feel less like a search box and more like a knowledge browser.

Why This Update Matters

Together, these updates reveal Perplexity’s long-term direction:

Premium users get exclusive AI models → strong subscription incentive
Search becomes content-forward, not query-forward
Perplexity positions itself as a real-time knowledge engine, not a traditional search result provider

This strategy puts Perplexity in a unique spot between:

ChatGPT (conversation-focused)
Google (link-focused)
and Bing (AI-augmented search)

Perplexity wants to be the platform you open before you search — because it already knows the topics worth exploring.

Pros and Cons of the New Update

Pros:

Stronger AI reasoning from Opus 4.5
More dynamic, personalized home page
Faster research and better accuracy
Makes Perplexity feel more like a full platform, not just a search tool

Cons:

Opus 4.5 is limited to Max users only
Discover feed is still experimental
Could overwhelm users who prefer a minimalist search interface

Adding balanced pros and cons increases trust and creates more value for readers.

What We Still Want to See

A desktop version of the Discover feed
More transparency in how trending topics are chosen
Additional model options for free users
A better way to manage stored threads and research projects

If Perplexity addresses these, it could become a serious competitor in both AI chat and modern search.

Stay Ahead

As AI platforms continue evolving at full speed — new models, new interfaces, new ways to explore information — Perplexity is proving that search isn’t just about answering questions anymore. It’s about guiding discovery.

If you want quick, clean breakdowns of every major shift before they trend, keep following TopicTric. We track updates the moment they roll out, so you never fall behind.