My Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 was unlike anything I’ve used before – a fully capable computer that fits in my pocket, opens into a tablet and turns into a desktop when connected to a monitor. Unfortunately, Samsung has made a series of decisions that increasingly discourage me from using the phone and inspire me to look for something else.
Samsung and Google are very close
If I wanted to use Google, I’d buy a Pixel
I have an uneasy relationship with Google. I do my best to avoid ads and Google is one of the biggest ad tech companies in the world. I deleted my google account and deleted my account for several years until my work required it again. I I actually dislike most Google apps. However, I love Android.
I like Samsung hardware as an alternative to Google, but the daylight between the two companies is fading. At this year’s Galaxy Unpacked, Samsung actually had some really new hardware innovation to show off in the form of the Galaxy 526 Ultra’s privacy display, but most of the event was dedicated to showing off more of the Gemini-powered AI space we’ve seen before. At a time when conspiracy theories were rampant, Samsung and Google were proud to show off their ability to create fake images by placing people and animals in places they never existed.
Sometimes this closeness has great results. One UI looks more like stock Android than TouchWiz, and I’m glad the two companies have it It settled on QuickShare as Android adopted AirDrop. Other times, not so much.
Samsung replaces more of its apps with Google
RIP Samsung Messages
When I unbox my new Galaxy device, it prefers Google apps over Samsung’s. Samsung Messages is dying in favor of Google Messagesa program I disliked and only used because it turned into it the only way I can reliably participate in many group chats.
Meanwhile, Samsung is also in the process of improving Bixby, but Galaxy phones still default to Gemini. I also see little point in Samsung even continuing to ship the company’s Galaxy Store the most niche application, Good Looknow also available on Play Store.
Samsung wants Galaxy phones to be AI phones
A company too big to ignore pressure from investors
I’ve never been a Samsung fan then Galaxy phones became boring. I love Samsung’s modern design, but this time around, Samsung’s focus is on Galaxy AI rather than pushing the hardware.
I sincerely do rate some of these Galaxy AI features. I like to quickly transcribe my audio recordings. It is useful to remove dust and scratches without retaking device photos (although even most A mundane use of the Object Eraser still makes me feel a little nervous). I really appreciate cursive writing and converting it to printed text. However, until recently, most of these features were not labeled as artificial intelligence.
Samsung is primarily a hardware company. I’d like to see the company build on its strengths rather than leaning into the areas it relies heavily on from Google.
There are plenty of non-AI features I’d like to see Samsung work on
Old functionality that is largely ignored
Foldable phones suffer from the lack of foldable-specific software. I wrote from the beginning how I could run apps on my phone like a computerbut seven inches is a bit narrow for that. Other companies have offered solutions. OpenCanvas was one of my favorite things about the OnePlus Open, and other Chinese foldables like the Oppo Find N6 all have similar multitasking solutions.
Likewise, there were times when I appreciated Flex Mode, a feature set that unfolds when folded in half like a foldable laptop. This feature set was also largely ignored. Sidebars and S Key Here are some of the best things about Samsung phonesbut the company does not boast about them. All the money is to be found in talking about AI.
Other companies are doing more interesting things
There are few companies in the U.S. that sell phones the size Samsung does – replace Android with a different interface and the same apps. So I’m looking for fairly small companies whose business model is just trying to sell me a good phone.
I bought a Murena Fairphone 6a phone that respects privacy and can be repaired, his ethos fits better with mine. I have reviewed Unihertz Titan 2 EliteA QWERTY keyboard phone with a day-and-night makeover from last year’s model that clearly shows Unihertz is listening to customer feedback. I even look Bigme Hibreak Pro ColorA color E Ink smartphone from a company specializing in E Ink devices. The software is a confusing mess, and there’s more pre-installed AI bloat than I’d like to see, but I appreciate a company that has found a way to provide a niche audience of E Ink fans with better hardware features than we generally get.
Great tech can do what great tech does. There are other brands that don’t make the same mistakes.
- Screen
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6.31 inch P-OLED LTPO
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8 GB
Powered by the /e/OS operating system, Murena Fairphone (Gen. 6) always protects your data while protecting the planet. Made from 50% fair and recycled materials, under fair conditions and with one of the lowest carbon footprints on the market.
