Over 6 billion SMS messages are sent every day just in the US. Having a fast and easy-to-use messaging application can help in many ways. The blog post explores both and covers Google Messages vs. Samsung Messages.
Samsung is making Google Messages the default messaging application, so you most likely have Google Messages if you have one of the latest Samsung phones.
If you don’t have Google Messages as the default app, this comparison will help you decide between the two.
Interface
Google Messages uses a classic interface with a search bar, the main menu button, and a new chat button. The chat button shrinks when you scroll. Swiping on each conversation moves the conversation to archive. You can see the archived chats in the top-right menu.
It shows one line of text preview, while Samsung Messages shows two lines giving you more text to read. It also leaves some space for pinned and favorite conversations. The option is in the top-right menu of each conversation.
Like Google Messages, we have the search bar, menu, and new conversation buttons. The contacts option is unique, which shows your contacts.
Google Message displays formatted and spaced phone numbers, while Samsung Messages shows the country code with no spaces.
While typing the message, Google Messages displays whether you are sending an SMS or MMS. By default, it’s an SMS, but the text converts to MMS if you add a file or an image.
Unread messages
A chat in bold indicates unread messages on Google Messages, and you can see the total number of unread chats next to each conversation in Samsung Messages.
Dark theme
Both offer a dark theme, but the problem with Samsung Messages relies on the mobile’s night mode. We don’t have a separate option to enable the app’s dark theme. If your phone doesn’t offer a dark mode, Samsung Messages will be in light mode.
Google Messages, on the other hand, comes with the dark theme option.
Related: SwiftKey vs. Samsung Keyboard
Message tools
This is one of the prominent rounds of Google Messages vs. Samsung Messages, as the more features you get, the better. Both support many options for sending in a message.
The below table shows all the possible options with supported options.
| Feature | Google Messages | Samsung Messages |
|---|---|---|
| Image | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Video | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Audio recording | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Contact info | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| GIF | ✔️ | ❌ |
| Stickers | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Emoji | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Location | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| File | ✔️ | ❌ |
| Notes | ❌ | ✔️ Samsung Notes |
| Schedule message | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Web searches | ✔️ (limited) | ❌ |
| Events | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Quick responses | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Weather | ✔️ (Google Assistant) | ❌ |
| Smart reply | ✔️ | ❌ |
| Add message subject | ❌ | ✔️ |
Out of 16 features, Google Messages supports 13, and Samsung Messages offers 12 features.
Smart reply
Smart reply is a feature in Google Messages that shows possible responses depending on the last message. It uses AI to predict the most related responses to the message. You also see options to send an emoji or search for GIFs and stickers according to the last message received.
Spam detection
Google Messages uses its own service, while Samsung Messages takes the data from Hiya to identify spam and scam callers in mobile calls and messages. A user can also report spam messages in the app.
Google Messages vs. Samsung Messages: Notifications
Overall, Google Messages gets this round by offering more AI techniques to deal with messages. If you get a copyable code message, you find a button to copy the code. For a standard message, this button turns into the reply.
Samsung Messages shows notifications with message details, mark as read, and view message options. Both support pop-up notifications on Samsung devices, and both are supported on Samsung Galaxy watches.
Chat features
The chat features are available in Google Messages that uses the internet to:
- Send and receive messages
- Let others know that you have read the message
- Let others know when you start typing
- React to messages
The chat features tool is still in development. Here is what you can expect from this, depending on the device:
- Google Messages to Google Messages: Full support
- Google Messages to Samsung Messages: Partial support
- Google Messages to iMessage: Less than partial support
Also, Samsung Messages uses this feature, but it’s not as advanced as Google Messages. Both apps also show a Google Duo option on the top to video call over the internet.
The buttons are only visible if you have Google Duo installed, and the receiver can receive messages and calls if they have it installed.
Link previews
Link previewing is a standard feature, and both apps support previewing. Google Messages comes with options such as filtering out the links and downloading over Wi-fi, while Samsung Messages only offers to enable and disable this option.
Messages for web
Another fantastic tool of Google Messages is Messages for the web. Like WhatsApp Web, it allows you to send and receive messages on your computer. The user must scan the barcode using the app to use this service, while the computer can be saved for future use.
The website comes with some the tools, such as the dark theme. Chat features settings, data warnings, notifications, etc. Most of the options are automatically synced with the app.
Samsung Messages does not offer a built-in web messaging service, but with the help of Samsung SideSync, you can send messages from the PC.
Related: SwiftKey vs. Gboard
Settings
So, what settings do both services offer in this Google messages vs. Samsung Messages battle?
Other than mentioned above, Google Messages offers to enable/disable the ongoing sound, change the user’s country, manage group messaging (MMS), auto-download MMS, auto-download while roaming, and deliver reports.
Samsung Messages can manage notifications, quick responses, delivery reports, input mode, and message center.
Which one is for you?
With what has been happening, Samsung even prefers Google Messages, so why not go and see if it fits. It has robust AI code detection, spam protection, smart replays, web searches, and other features which make it a great addition to our digital life.
Conclusion
The comparison of Google Messages vs. Samsung Messages covered the essential topics. I hope it helped to figure out which one to use. Thanks for reading, and feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments.
Susan Rosener
Thursday 11th of November 2021
I would like an "add signature " to the text.
Jeff Bingham
Sunday 24th of October 2021
I just started using Samsung Messages (new S21 Ultra) and see that it limits attachments (number of pics) and compresses even short videos, making them blurry to recipients. Google Messages doesn't seem to limit attachments, and short videos transmit sharp and clear. Is there a setting on Samsung Messages that allows increased attachment size? Thx.
Madhsudhan
Wednesday 27th of October 2021
I really don't think there is a way to change that (my knowledge). One way is to use chat features, but Samsung Messages is still a bit behind and also, for that to work, the other person must have either Samsung Messages or Google Messages with chat features enabled.
Jamie Hatlestad
Wednesday 30th of June 2021
I TOTALLY get choosing Samsung messages for the look and feel. One of the satisfying things about Samsung phones is downloading themes that splash across the system including the settings menu and icons. This also includes other apps like Samsung keyboard and messages, making the theme more 'complete ' somehow. But, I must agree with the conclusion of the article, giving the nod to Google for RCS, smart replies, and just more overall AI stuff. I think G Board even gets the edge over Samsung keyboard.
Madhsudhan
Thursday 1st of July 2021
Thanks, Jamie. I like Samsung Keyboard, but Gbaord is many steps ahead. One thing I used to miss in Gboard was message scheduling, but it is available in Gboard now.
Mark Brummett
Saturday 8th of May 2021
I'm a pretty big fan of third party SMS (YAATA, Textra being the two I used the most) however neither of them support RCS just yet and now that Google's implementation of RCS via Jibe is seemingly a lot more stable than just even two months ago, I'm sticking with it as more and more of my family and friends are using Google Messages. Even my brother, who was a dyed-in-the-wool Samsung fanboy switched today to Messages. I dumped the third-party SMS until they decide to implement RCS (which I'm not sure if it's even those apps developers faults if they don't have access to any kind of API to do this with). The only feature I really liked, especially with YAATA, was the ability to customize haptic patterns per contact. I realize Messages allows for personalized notification sounds per contact, but wish they would implement the customizable haptic patterns. That would make it perfect. Especially since I use a Google flagship device (Pixel 4a).
Chris1983
Tuesday 4th of May 2021
I have a Samsung Galaxy phone (Tracfone). If I switch to Google Messages, will my current contacts on the phone be accessible? Also, is there any issue in setting Google as the default SMS app? Thank you.
Madhsudhan
Thursday 6th of May 2021
Yes. Google Messages does not have any link with phone contacts, and there should not be any issue in making Google Messages the default app.