The Samsung Galaxy S22 series ships with Google Messages in the US, complete with a custom UI
In a rather surprising turn of events,Samsung preloaded the Galaxy S21 series with Google Messagesas the default SMS app rather than its own.The app’s UI was even modified(altered color palette and tweaked interface for easy one-handed use) to blend it with One UI’s general aesthetics. Unfortunately,Galaxy S21users in the US were left out of the fold. With theS22 series, though, it looks like that’s about to change.
Android Police’s Zachary Kew-Dennissnoted the development in a tweet. According to him, Samsung has retained Google Messages as the default messenger on the newS22 series, but unlike with the S21 series where the change was standard internationally only, it’ll now be coming to the US.
In terms of functionality, Samsung alreadyadded support for Google’s RCSto its own messenger, so the two apps aren’t really different in basic features anymore. That said, Google Messages has its perks, including automatic message sorting, auto-deletion for One-time passwords (OTPs) after 24 hours, and Assistant-powered message attachments — it lacks the recycle bin feature that Samsung incorporates into its messenger, though.
What’s more, US-based Galaxy S22 users will be able to enjoy any new features coming to Google Messages. One of such additions is already on the way, per the Unpacked event where Google announced that the app would gain the ability togenerate YouTube video previews from linksshared in conversations. The previews will be interactive, showing video titles and thumbnails and allowing you to play them with a single tap. The feature will roll out to the Galaxy S22 andGalaxy Tab S8series first before reaching other devices in the coming weeks.
Samsung’s collaboration with Google birthed the highly covetedWear OS 3and looks set to shape the Android ecosystem as a whole. It’ll be interesting to see what fruits the partnership yields next.
Broader branding hints at wider paid-tier ambitions
The note-taking app I should have used all along
Breaking language barriers, one feed at a time
Keep privacy a priority with the best VPNs
New tablets coming September 4
It helped me wind down before bed
