Samsung arguably makes the best Android phones, but its pre-installed apps often fly under the radar. From a feature-rich calendar to a powerful internet browser, these built-in apps frequently outshine their popular third-party alternatives.
1
Samsung Calendar
I like the look of the Samsung Calendar, but it’s more than just a design preference. Samsung Calendar syncs with Google Calendar, which I use on my desktop. It also supports handwriting and syncs with the Samsung reminder app. You can even personalize events with stickers and later search for them using those stickers.
Samsung Calendar also makes it easy to view event details without opening them—simply swipe down to expand and see everything at a glance. Another nifty detail you might have missed is that the Calendar app shows the current date on the app icon.
2
Samsung Keyboard
There are plenty of excellent keyboards apps for Android including Gboard and Microsoft Swiftkey. However, I still prefer the default Samsung Keyboard because it works better with Samsung devices. The haptic feedback feels more refined and is complemented by smoother animations and well-balanced typing sounds.
It also offers shortcuts to Samsung Pass, translate, and text extraction and comes with Grammarly integration to quickly correct grammar mistakes. Windows users will like the shared clipboard feature, which allows you to instantly copy-paste between your Samsung device and Windows computer via Phone Link.
The Samsung Keyboard also benefits from GoodLock’s Keys Café module. You can tweak the keyboard’s look and animations, create your own stickers, and even create your own keyboard by customizing the key locations and function keys. While its text prediction could be better, it’s far from a deal-breaker given everything else it offers.
3
Samsung Messages
Samsung has done a fabulous job with the UI of its messaging app compared to Google Messages, but its functionality is what stands out. For instance, you can select and delete multiple or all messages simultaneously, select and copy part of the text instead of the whole text, and pin multiple chats to the top.
What’s more, Samsung Messages lets you create categories to classify messages and organize them based on their type. You can also restore deleted chats from the Recycle Bin and mute chat notifications for specific contacts.
Unfortunately, Samsung no longer ships its latest devices with Messages as the default messaging app. Instead, it’s pushing Google Messages for its universal RCS support while making its own app an optional download from the Galaxy Store.
4
Samsung Internet
Samsung Internet is another handy pre-installed app that is great for casual browsing. It supports ad-blocking extensions right out of the box, making it much easier to read pages cluttered with popups and in-page ads.
The latest version of Samsung Internet also adds AI features that can summarize and translate web page contents for you. It’s highly customizable, and you can have the address bar and tabs at the bottom of the screen, making it more convenient.
Other lesser-known Samsung Internet features include Secret Mode to password lock open tabs in the Incognito Mode, a customizable toolbar for one-handed use, and a video assistant with intuitive gesture controls.
5
Samsung Kids
Samsung Kids is a parental control app that creates a separate, child-friendly environment for kids to use the phone. You can create multiple profiles for different kids, set screen time goals to limit the time your child can use the phone, and control the contacts, media, and music they can access.
The Kids mode includes a simplified app list with shortcuts to My Phone, My Camera, and My Gallery, enabling children to call approved contacts and view pictures taken within the mode.
The app also has some quirky games and activities to keep them occupied. Leaving the app requires a PIN or fingerprint for extra security, so the kids stay in safe mode and can’t switch to regular phone mode.
6
Microsoft Office Apps
Office 365 comes pre-installed on Samsung devices, which is a plus if you’re already subscribed. I use it regularly to jot down ideas, outline projects, or make quick edits on my Galaxy phone while on the go.
Office 365 uses OneDrive to power continuity between devices, so when I am back at my computer later, all my work is right there, ready for me to pick up where I left off.
In addition to these, there are other built-in Samsung apps worth mentioning. While Samsung Notes lets you quickly jot down notes, My Files with Secure Folder is a decent file manager with support for network storage. Samsung Music and Samsung Reminders, too, are useful tools for managing your media and helping you stay organized.
