In the world of Android messaging, there is no shortage of options for staying connected with friends, family, and colleagues. From device manufacturer-provided default apps to popular over-the-top (OTT) services like WhatsApp and Telegram, users have a plethora of choices when it comes to sending texts, photos, videos, and more.
For owners of Samsung Galaxy smartphones, one app that likely looks familiar is Samsung Messages. Also known by its Android package name "com.samsung.android.messaging", this app comes pre-installed on all modern Galaxy devices and serves as the default handler for SMS and MMS messaging.
But what exactly is Samsung Messages, and how does it differ from other messaging apps on Android? In this in-depth guide, we‘ll walk through everything you need to know about this key part of the Galaxy software experience.
The history of Samsung‘s Android messaging apps
To fully understand Samsung Messages and its role on Galaxy devices, it‘s helpful to start with a bit of history. While Samsung has long included its own messaging app on its smartphones, the app‘s name and functionality have evolved over time.
In the early days of Galaxy phones, the built-in messaging app was simply called "Messages" or "Messaging". It was a fairly basic SMS/MMS client without many bells and whistles.
As smartphone messaging began to evolve in the early 2010s with the rise of OTT apps like WhatsApp and iMessage, Samsung experimented with various messaging initiatives of its own. Some notable examples included:
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ChatON: Launched in 2011, ChatON was Samsung‘s attempt at a cross-platform messaging service to rival BBM and iMessage. It supported features like group chats, photo and video sharing, and voice messaging. However, it struggled to gain traction and was ultimately shuttered in 2015.
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Samsung Messaging Hub: Released in 2012, this was a unified messaging app that combined SMS/MMS with popular chat services like Facebook, Twitter, and ChatON. It was later discontinued and replaced by the standalone Samsung Messages app.
In 2016, Samsung began pre-loading the Samsung Messages app on its Galaxy devices running Android 6.0 Marshmallow and later. This app featured a refreshed UI and added support for features like GIFs, stickers, and location sharing.
The most significant evolution of Samsung Messages came in 2018 with the rollout of RCS (Rich Communication Services) messaging. RCS is a next-generation messaging standard designed to replace SMS/MMS with iMessage-like features such as high-resolution media sharing, read receipts, and typing indicators.
Samsung was an early adopter of RCS, partnering with Google to bring RCS chat features to the Samsung Messages app on Galaxy phones. This laid the groundwork for the advanced messaging functionality that Samsung Messages offers today.
Samsung Messages usage statistics and comparison
So just how popular is Samsung Messages among Android users? Let‘s take a look at some key statistics:
- As of 2021, Samsung Messages is used by over 100 million people globally each month (Source: Samsung)
- Samsung Messages is the default messaging app on over 1 billion Galaxy devices worldwide (Source: SamMobile)
- In the US, 63% of Android users who primarily use carrier messaging use Samsung Messages (Source: Statista)
To put these numbers in perspective, let‘s compare Samsung Messages to some leading OTT messaging apps:
| App | Monthly Active Users |
|---|---|
| 2 billion | |
| Facebook Messenger | 1.3 billion |
| 1.2 billion | |
| Samsung Messages | 100 million |
As you can see, while Samsung Messages has an impressive user base in its own right, it still trails the most popular OTT apps by a significant margin. This underscores the challenge that default carrier messaging apps face in competing with dedicated chat platforms.
However, it‘s worth noting that Samsung Messages has a distinct advantage over other carrier messaging clients: it comes pre-installed on the best-selling Android devices globally. With Samsung accounting for over 30% of all Android device shipments, the Samsung Messages app has a massive potential user base right out of the box.
Samsung Messages within the Galaxy software ecosystem
To truly understand the importance of Samsung Messages, it‘s crucial to consider its place within the broader Galaxy software ecosystem. Samsung has long sought to differentiate its Android devices with a suite of in-house apps and services, and messaging is no exception.
Some key examples of how Samsung Messages integrates with other Galaxy software include:
- Samsung Cloud: Samsung Messages can automatically back up message history and settings to Samsung Cloud, making it easy to restore your messages when switching to a new Galaxy device.
- Link to Windows: This feature allows users to send and receive SMS/MMS messages from their PC using the Samsung Messages app on their phone. It‘s a handy way to stay on top of messaging without constantly picking up your phone.
- Samsung Contacts and Phone: Samsung Messages integrates closely with the built-in Contacts and Phone apps on Galaxy devices, allowing for seamless caller ID, contact syncing, and call history access.
- Bixby: Samsung‘s virtual assistant can be used to dictate and send messages hands-free through the Samsung Messages app.
By providing a cohesive and interconnected messaging experience, Samsung aims to make its Messages app an indispensable part of the Galaxy user experience. As Jitesh Ubrani, research manager at IDC, explains:
"Samsung‘s approach with its Messages app is about more than just providing a default messaging client. It‘s about creating a sticky ecosystem where users can seamlessly move between different Samsung services and devices. In this way, Samsung Messages is a key piece of the puzzle in keeping users engaged with the Galaxy brand."
The strategic importance of default messaging apps
For device manufacturers like Samsung, having a capable default messaging app is about more than just providing a basic smartphone feature. It‘s a critical part of maintaining control over the user experience and keeping users within the company‘s ecosystem.
As we‘ve seen with the rise of OTT messaging apps, when users adopt a third-party messaging service, they are effectively ceding control of their messaging experience to another company. This can have significant implications for user engagement, data privacy, and monetization.
By pre-loading its own messaging app on Galaxy devices, Samsung is able to:
- Ensure that all users have a reliable, carrier-agnostic messaging option out of the box
- Collect valuable usage data and analytics to improve its products and services
- Cross-promote and integrate with other Samsung apps and services
- Differentiate Galaxy devices from other Android phones with exclusive features
- Maintain a direct relationship with users and keep them within the Samsung ecosystem
In many ways, Samsung‘s approach with its Messages app mirrors that of Apple with iMessage. By making iMessage a seamless, default part of the iPhone experience, Apple has created a powerful moat that keeps users locked into its ecosystem.
As Neil Shah, partner and vice president of research at Counterpoint Research, puts it:
"In the high-stakes battle for smartphone users, having a compelling messaging experience is table stakes. Samsung recognizes this and has invested heavily in its Messages app to keep pace with the likes of iMessage and Google Messages. It‘s a critical part of Samsung‘s strategy to maintain its leadership position in the Android market."
The challenges and opportunities of RCS messaging
While Samsung Messages has come a long way from its humble beginnings as a basic SMS/MMS client, the app‘s future will be largely defined by the success or failure of RCS messaging.
RCS, or Rich Communication Services, is the next-generation messaging standard that aims to bring iMessage-like features to carrier messaging. With RCS, users can enjoy features like high-resolution photo and video sharing, read receipts, typing indicators, and more — all without relying on a third-party app.
Samsung was one of the earliest adopters of RCS, partnering with Google to bring RCS capabilities to its Messages app. However, the rollout of RCS has been fraught with challenges and delays.
One major hurdle has been carrier adoption. For RCS to work seamlessly, it requires both the sender and recipient‘s carrier to support the standard. In many markets, carriers have been slow to implement RCS, leading to a fragmented and inconsistent user experience.
Another challenge has been the lack of end-to-end encryption for RCS messages. While some OTT apps like WhatsApp and Signal offer this security feature, RCS messages are still transmitted in plain text, making them vulnerable to interception and surveillance.
Despite these challenges, Samsung remains committed to advancing the RCS standard through its Messages app. In a 2020 blog post, Samsung‘s SVP of Mobile Communications, Yongje Kim, wrote:
"At Samsung, we believe that communication should be simple, reliable, and accessible to everyone. That‘s why we have been working closely with our partners to bring RCS messaging to our Galaxy devices. We believe that RCS is the future of messaging and will continue to push the boundaries of what‘s possible with this exciting new standard."
If Samsung and other stakeholders can successfully address the challenges of RCS adoption and security, the potential benefits for users are significant. With a true iMessage alternative on Android, users would be able to enjoy a rich, interactive messaging experience without sacrificing the universal compatibility of SMS/MMS.
As Lynnette Luna, principal analyst at GlobalData, notes:
"The success of RCS is crucial for the long-term relevance of carrier messaging in the face of OTT competition. With its massive global reach and influence, Samsung is well-positioned to drive RCS adoption forward and shape the future of messaging on Android. The Samsung Messages app will be a key battleground in this effort."
The future of Samsung Messages in the 5G and foldable era
Looking ahead, the future of Samsung Messages is closely tied to the evolution of Samsung‘s Galaxy devices and the Android ecosystem as a whole.
One major trend that is set to shape the future of mobile messaging is the rollout of 5G networks. With faster speeds and lower latency, 5G will enable new possibilities for rich, real-time communication experiences.
Samsung is already exploring how its Messages app can take advantage of 5G capabilities. For example, the company has demonstrated how 5G could enable seamless video calling and screen sharing directly from the Messages app, blurring the lines between messaging and video conferencing.
Another trend that could impact the future of Samsung Messages is the rise of foldable devices. With its Galaxy Z Fold and Galaxy Z Flip lineups, Samsung is betting big on foldables as the next major form factor in mobile computing.
As foldable devices become more mainstream, Samsung will need to adapt its Messages app to take full advantage of the unique screen real estate and multitasking capabilities of these devices. This could involve new UI paradigms, such as side-by-side messaging and content previews, or new input methods optimized for foldable screens.
Ultimately, the future of Samsung Messages will be shaped by a combination of technological advancements, user preferences, and competitive pressures. As Anshel Sag, senior analyst at Moor Insights & Strategy, puts it:
"Messaging is a critical battleground for smartphone makers, and Samsung is no exception. To stay ahead of the curve, Samsung will need to continue innovating with its Messages app and adapting to the changing landscape of mobile communication. Whether it‘s 5G, foldables, or new AI-powered features, Samsung has an opportunity to redefine what‘s possible with carrier messaging in the years ahead."
Conclusion
Samsung Messages may not have the same buzz or user base as some of the leading OTT messaging apps, but it remains a critical part of the Galaxy software experience for millions of users around the world.
From its humble beginnings as a basic SMS/MMS client to its current incarnation as a feature-rich RCS messaging hub, Samsung Messages has evolved to keep pace with the changing needs and expectations of mobile users.
Looking ahead, the future of Samsung Messages will be shaped by a range of factors, from the adoption of RCS to the rise of 5G and foldable devices. But one thing is clear: as long as Samsung remains a leader in the Android ecosystem, its Messages app will be a key part of its strategy to maintain user engagement and differentiate its devices.
Whether you‘re a die-hard Samsung fan or just looking for a reliable, feature-rich messaging app on Android, Samsung Messages is definitely worth a closer look. With a combination of cutting-edge features, tight integration with the Galaxy ecosystem, and the backing of one of the world‘s largest smartphone makers, it‘s an app that is poised for big things in the years ahead.
