Samsung Gave up Its Messaging App, Now It Needs to Give up Its Keyboard

Why It Matters

The keyboard is a primary user interface; a subpar default erodes brand perception and wastes engineering effort, while adopting Gboard could boost satisfaction and free resources for Samsung’s core differentiators.

Key Takeaways

• Samsung discontinued its Messages app in 2025, defaulting to Google Messages.
• Samsung keyboard lags behind Gboard in accuracy and predictive text.
• 60% of surveyed Android users switched away from Samsung keyboard.
• Retiring Samsung keyboard could free resources for core One UI improvements.
• Default keyboard choice impacts millions of Android users' daily interactions.

Pulse Analysis

Samsung’s decision to sunset its Messages app last year was framed as a pragmatic move toward Google’s RCS‑enabled platform, promising smoother cross‑device conversations and reduced maintenance overhead. By aligning with Google Messages, Samsung eliminated a redundant messaging stack and signaled a willingness to cede non‑core services to the ecosystem leader, a strategy that resonated with power users and carriers alike.

The default Samsung keyboard, however, has not kept pace. Users report lower typing accuracy, clunky predictive text, and a less intuitive customization flow compared with Google’s Gboard, which offers seamless language switching, AI‑driven suggestions, and a low‑friction UI. A recent Android Authority poll of 1,700 readers showed about 60% had already abandoned Samsung’s keyboard, underscoring a growing preference for third‑party solutions and highlighting a tangible pain point in Samsung’s software suite.

If Samsung were to adopt Gboard as the out‑of‑the‑box keyboard, it could instantly elevate the user experience for millions of device owners while reallocating its software engineers to enhance One UI, camera software, or AI features that differentiate its flagship phones. Such a shift would reinforce Samsung’s reputation for premium hardware paired with best‑in‑class software, reduce support costs, and align the brand more closely with the broader Android ecosystem’s expectations.