Android and One UI take up a very large space in the storage of the new Galaxy S23: 60 GB, a record weight for the manufacturer’s interface.
Samsung has always stood out for the heaviness of its Android interface on its smartphones. For several years, the firm has greatly improved the fluidity and ergonomics of its software, to the point of becoming one of the champions under Android.
Today, One UI is considered an example for other manufacturers to follow, especially when it comes to the excellent follow-up offered by Samsung. However, the firm still has a huge weak point: the storage that its interface occupies.
One UI and Android take up 60 GB!
android authority You’ve seen on your Galaxy S23, the manufacturer’s operating system and interface take up too much space. Once setup is complete, Samsung’s system takes up no less than 60GB of storage on its own.
The medium recalls that for comparison, Android 13 on the Google Pixel 7 occupies 15 GB, which is already considerable, but four times less than on Samsung. As for Microsoft’s Windows 11, a complete PC operating system with all the history we know, it occupies thirty gigabytes. It’s still half the size of Samsung.
It’s simple, the Galaxy S23 is offered with 128 GB of storage in its basic version. In reality, the user will only be entitled to half of the storage once Android and One UI have been set up. Not to mention misleading advertising, one may wonder to what extent the advertised storage really reflects the reality of the use of the product in this case.
Where does the wasted space come from?
How can we explain that Samsung occupies 60 GB with its interface? Difficult to say since the number is impressive, but the fault is partly due to the amount of applications pre-installed by the giant.
Here, the brand can share the blame with Google, forcing manufacturers to pre-install their own applications. As a result, a Galaxy S23 ends up with two web browsing apps, two photo management apps, etc. The firm also has an agreement with Microsoft to pre-install certain apps like OneDrive. So sometimes we end up with three apps from three competing services between Google, Samsung and Microsoft.
A way for Samsung to increase its profit on each device sold, but one that is much less justified in smartphones sold from 959 euros in France.
We better understand why Samsung refuses to handle transparent A/B updates. This very user-friendly system requires installing the system twice on the smartphone. So we could end up with 120GB of space taken up out of the box.
Let’s hope Samsung can find the reason for a future version of One UI.
Do you use Google News (News in France)? You can follow your favorite media. Continue Frandroid on Google News (and Numerama).