(Credit: Shutterstock / Karlis Dambrans)
New Samsung devices in the US will no longer come with Samsung Messages preinstalled.
The app has been a mainstay on Galaxy smartphones for a while, but the company has decided to make Google Messages the default on Galaxy devices going forward.
The move isn’t exactly a surprise. Samsung has been phasing the app out since the launch of the S22 in 2022, thanks to better support for RCS messages in Google Messages. But it still preinstalled Samsung Messages on the devices so Samsung enthusiasts could opt to use Samsung's messaging app instead.
In a post in the Samsung Member app spotted by 9to5Google, Samsung says: "The Samsung Messages app will no longer be preloaded, starting with Flip 6, Fold 6, and newer models. Instead, Google Messages will provide a new and enhanced experience to express your emotions, making communication safe and fun."
The Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Z Fold 6 are expected to start shipping on July 24.