SAMSUNG fans are enraged over a critical change to later Galaxy phones, claiming it marks “the death of choice.”
Users are decrying the disappearance of the Samsung Messages app, which will no longer come pre-installed on the newest models.
It has been retired in favor of Google Messages, already Samsung‘s app of choice and evidence of the companies’ long-standing partnership.
RCS messaging features will also be enabled by default as Google continues to push other tech giants to adopt the protocol.
RCS, or rich communication services, gives users access to features previously limited to over-the-top platforms like WhatsApp.
It supports live chat features and isn’t bogged down by the pesky character limits that befall the older messaging protocols.
While Samsung Messages will no longer come preinstalled, there is a workaround.
Users will still be able to download the application from the Galaxy Store until Samsung phases it out completely.
The Korean tech giant announced the change in a message posted to the Samsung Community app.
“Starting with the Flip6, Fold6 and newer models, the Samsung Messages app will no longer be preloaded,” it read.
“Instead, Google Messages will provide a new and enhanced experience to express your emotions, making communication safe and fun.”
Google Messages has been the default option on Galaxy phones since the release of the S22.
However, users were formerly able to change the default option to the preinstalled Samsung Messages app.
Samsung previously disclosed its motivations behind switching to Google Messages.
In a statement to media outlets, the company said it had been “working closely together” with Google “on many communication service areas.”
Defaulting to Google Messages “will accelerate the adoption of Rich Communication Services” and “deliver a more robust and engaging mobile messaging experience to Galaxy users.”
However, the new policy does not appear to impact phones worldwide.
Only United States builds of the Galaxy Z Fold6 and Galaxy Z Flip6 have Google Messages pre-installed.
Samsung Messages is still preloaded on Canadian and European variants of the new models.
Nevertheless, users took to social media to blast the announcement, claiming it was stripping them of personal choice and indicative of bigger changes to come
“Samsung killing off Samsung Messages is a sign that Android is heading in a negative direction,” one Reddit user proclaimed.
“This is the foreshadowing that Google will have complete control over the texting experience on Android in the future. Being able to dictate what users can and cannot do more than ever.”
The user then claimed Android was relinquishing its identity.
“This is the start of the end of what Android was known best for, the choice of the user,” he wrote.
As Redditors debated the benefits and drawbacks of either app, one point was indisputable: Google has earned a reputation as one of the most powerful tech giants in the world.
“Google also has a near-monopoly of people’s web browsing experience but many don’t seem to care,” one user professed.
Another claimed Google had become a “monopoly” years ago, because “Android manufacturers didn’t want to bother with costs/marketing/maintaining/innovation from the very beginning.”
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