Almost all Samsung users complain that Galaxy devices come filled with pre-installed bloatware apps—some of which you can't even delete. This isn't a new problem; Samsung has been aware of this issue ever since the days of TouchWiz, One UI's predecessor.

But if that's so, why does the company refuse to address this issue? One word: Google. Although Samsung and Google have the same objective of beating Apple, the two companies have a long history of rivalry. Here's why Samsung doesn't want you to use Google apps.

Why Samsung and Google Need Each Other

Samsung and Google have a symbiotic relationship. On one hand, Google needs Samsung since it's the world's largest Android phone manufacturer, and thus, also the largest supplier of Google services. In a way, Samsung ensures that Google services actually reach people.

Without Samsung, many Android users would simply switch to the iPhone due to the lack of any strong alternatives—leaving Google worse off and unable to generate as much ad revenue.

On the other hand, Samsung needs Google because it owns Android and has better know-how of how to build apps and services. Google services make Android phones more appealing, and thus, ensure that Samsung users will stay loyal and won't switch to the iPhone.

Without Google, Samsung would not be able to compete with the Apple ecosystem on its own. In other words, Google is primarily a software company and Samsung is primarily a hardware company; the synergy of both is what's needed to rival Apple.

How Samsung Tried to Kill Google, and Failed

Here's where it gets interesting: Samsung hates its reliance on Google. If it were up to Samsung, Galaxy phones wouldn't even be running on Android. In fact, in 2010, Samsung tried to replace Android by launching its own mobile OS called Bada. When that didn't work, Samsung tried again in 2012 with Tizen, but to no avail.

Although Samsung couldn't replace Android, its attempts to do so threatened Google. If Samsung did somehow manage to create a competitive mobile OS in the future, it could theoretically force its own services onto its users. This would make Google services and the Android OS irrelevant almost overnight.

So, to retaliate, Google bought Motorola for $12.5 billion in 2012. In a blog post, it stated that buying Motorola will "help protect the Android ecosystem" and "accelerate innovation and choice in mobile computing." Now, although the post doesn't mention anyone in particular, it's reasonable to assume that this move was intended as a warning to Samsung.

If Samsung didn't "behave," Google could use Motorola as a means to compete with it directly. For instance, Google could offer Motorola first dibs on new Android updates and optimize its services to run exceptionally well on Motorola phones to make other brands less appealing.

Seeing this, Samsung finally agreed to tone down its bloatware apps, preserve the overall look and feel of Android, and made some Google services the default option on Galaxy phones. It's no wonder that Google later sold Motorola to Lenovo in 2014 for just $2.91 billion.

This rivalry is far from over, though. In 2017, Samsung launched Bixby, its very own virtual assistant set to compete directly with Google Assistant, but as we already know by now, that didn't work either. Bixby is a good assistant in its own right, but you'd have a hard time convincing an Android user to say "Hey Bixby" instead of "Hey Google."

How Samsung and Google's Partnership Evolved

Fast-forward to today, and Samsung and Google's partnership has become more civil. Since Google is trying to expand and strengthen its Pixel portfolio of products, it needs Samsung's manufacturing facilities and hardware expertise to do that.

If the two companies work together, Samsung can secure Google as a big customer for its manufacturing business. Meanwhile, Google can ensure that Samsung won't mess with Android, use WearOS on Galaxy Watches, and collaborate on future projects.

In fact, the Tensor chipset found in Google Pixel phones is made by Samsung Foundry. In October 2022, Samsung announced that it was extending its partnership with Google to streamline their smart home ecosystems, namely SmartThings and Google Home. Some reports also suggest that the display on the rumored Pixel Fold is made by Samsung as well.

For context, this partnership doesn't mean Samsung has to stop developing its own apps and services. It simply means that Samsung needs to prioritize Google services that are key to the Android experience such as the Google Play Store, Assistant, Search, and more.

Why Samsung Is Getting Better at Software

Although Samsung is clearly the hardware king, it knows that software is the future. Why? Because once the sale is made, the company doesn't have control over the hardware of the product, but software is infinitely flexible and controllable, and hence, more profitable.

At its core, your phone is simply a portal to your favorite apps, so as long as the hardware is good enough, it technically doesn't matter which brand it's coming from. And if you've noticed, this is exactly why Samsung has started focusing so much on software in the last few years.

For instance, we know that TouchWiz was already horrible when it launched in 2010, but One UI has remained one of the best Android skins in the market ever since its launch in 2018.

Samsung phones now get four years of major OS updates—more than any other Android brand, including Google itself. The company is also working with various developers to optimize popular third-party apps such as Snapchat and Instagram for Galaxy phones.

Samsung has partnered with Microsoft to bridge the gap between their ecosystems. It's why when you back up your Galaxy phone, Samsung uses Microsoft OneDrive instead of Google Drive. It's also why the Link to Windows app comes pre-installed on Galaxy devices, so you can instantly connect it to your Windows PC.

All of these efforts are directed toward reducing Samsung's reliance on Google. The problem is, a lot of modern apps and services depend on Google Mobile Services (GMS). For instance, WhatsApp uses Google Drive to back up your chats, Uber uses Google Maps for navigation, and game developers need the Play Store to process your in-app purchases.

In other words, not using Google services is simply not an option for most of us, so there's not much Samsung can realistically do in this area at this point. Working with Microsoft is about retaining as much control as possible in areas where Google is not as strong a rival such as smart TVs, foldable phones, laptops, gaming consoles, and more.

Samsung and Google Will Remain Frenemies

Samsung and Google's relationship is a complicated one, and although it's more civil now, we can't help but feel uneasy about the future knowing the lengths both have gone to in the past few years to stay competitive in the industry.

What we know for sure is that things can turn around very quickly in the tech industry, and the two tech giants need each other just as much as they repel one another. We remain curious to see how the two brands evolve and what's next in store for the Android community.