Hi, I wanted to share some feedback about several Samsung apps and a few Google ones. A lot of them feel outdated or visually unpolished, and it pushes me to look for alternatives. Not all alternatives are safe or easy to download, so improving the built‑in apps would really help.
Email: The app feels extremely basic. It also forces every Gmail account to become part of the phone system, even work accounts I don’t want integrated. When I open Google Play, it shows the Gmail account I don’t use, and switching back becomes a hassle. This happens often enough to be frustrating.
Notes: Functionally it’s fine, but the layout looks cluttered no matter which view you choose. It doesn’t present notes cleanly the way Apple Notes. On tablets in landscape mode, it looks even more disorganized.
Samsung Internet: I would actually use it if I could choose my own ad blocker, like on Firefox. The current options feel designed around Samsung’s interests, not user privacy. I buy my phones unlocked and without carrier bloat because I don’t want tracking or ads. If true ad‑blocker choice isn’t possible, please allow the browser to be fully removed.
Bixby: The assistant adds no real value for me. There’s no need to have more than one assistant running, and having both Bixby and Gemini slows the phone down. One of them needs to be removable.
Chrome: I don’t use it on mobile and don’t need it installed.
Reminder: The icon and color scheme really need a redesign. It doesn’t match the rest of the Samsung icon style, and even icon packs can’t fix it.
There’s more I could mention, but this is a start.
PS: The AI writing tools refuse to correct my text because of my tone or word choice, which just pushes me toward replacing the keyboard entirely. If the AI features can’t adapt to different writing styles, they should at least be removable. So far, upgrading to the Ultra 25 hasn’t made daily tasks easier — it feels more like gimmicks than useful improvements. User experience, app quality, and battery life matter most. We’re at generation 25 and still don’t have a phone that reliably lasts more than a day.
I actually love the Samsung browser (beta version) I have chosen several ad blockers from the available ones in the Samsung store and they all do a spectacular job in blocking ads.
I use Gboard/Swiftkey for my keyboard as well as Gmail instead of the Samsung email app which is too barebones for my taste.
That being said, I'm happy that Samsung and more broadly Android both allow for excellent customization options. We can find what works for us outside of the stock options.
