Samsung Galaxy phones might skip Google Chrome
Samsung could soon release Galaxy phones without Google Chrome installed. Even with changes in U.S. politics, Google’s problems aren’t fading. The Department of Justice (DOJ), under Trump, is sticking to its plan to make Google sell its Chrome browser.
Right now, Android phones, including Samsung’s, come with Chrome because it’s tied to Google Mobile Services. If Google has to let go of Chrome, that could shake things up. Chrome might no longer be pre-installed on new devices.
This could open the door for Samsung to ship Galaxy phones without Chrome. Instead, Samsung Internet, their browser, would be the default option. Users could still download Chrome from the Play Store, but only if they chose to.
In a recent statement, the DOJ called Google a “giant in the economy” that’s blocking a key American freedom: the right to pick what you use. They argue, “Google needs to let go of Chrome… to give a new competitor a chance to become a major way to search online.”
Beyond just Chrome, the DOJ also wants Google to tweak how it runs Android to encourage fair competition—or even sell Android entirely. Google’s Peter Schottenfels told TheVerge in an email that the DOJ’s new ideas go way too far. He warned that these changes could hurt American users, the economy, and even national security.
This shift could mean big changes for Samsung users. Without Chrome ready to go, Samsung Internet might take the spotlight, giving users a different starting point for browsing. Whether that’s a win or a hassle depends on what people prefer. For now, it’s a waiting game to see how this plays out.
