Samsung Ditches Its Own Messaging App for Google Messages on Fold 6 and Flip 6 in the US
In a surprising move, Samsung has announced that its upcoming foldable smartphones, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6, will no longer feature Samsung Messages as the default messaging app in the United States. Starting with these devices, Google Messages will take over as the primary messaging application.
Key takeaways:
- Google Messages is now the default: Samsung has been using Google Messages as the default on some devices since 2022, but this move completely removes Samsung Messages from the pre-installed apps in the US.
- US-only (for now): While the change seems limited to the United States, experts speculate this could be a sign of things to come for other regions. Canadian and European models will still include Samsung Messages for the time being.
- Downloadable, but limited: Samsung Messages will be available on the Galaxy Store for users who prefer it, but some features may be unavailable.
- Part of a larger trend: This change seems to be part of a larger strategy for Samsung to move away from its own messaging app in favor of Google's offering.
What does this mean for users?
Most users in the US likely won't notice a difference, as Google Messages has been the default for some time. However, die-hard fans of Samsung Messages will need to download it manually and may encounter limited functionality.
This change highlights the growing dominance of Google's messaging app and signals Samsung's focus on streamlining its software experience.
