Is Samsung an Android? Yes, Here’s What You Need to Know

Most smartphones referred to as being powered by Samsung use the stock Android operating system but with a Samsung interface running over the top.

This additional Samsung software often adds features and altered design elements not yet available on the stock Android operating system while still supporting all of the primary Android functionality users expect.

Is Samsung Android?

Most Samsung-branded smartphones run some version of the regular Android operating system with additional Samsung design elements and features added on top. Technically, Samsung isn’t Android, but many people and publications refer to Samsung phones as Android phones simply because they support Android apps and run the Android operating system under the hood.

Think of modern Samsung smartphones as Android smartphones with a little something extra.

What Is Samsung One UI?

Samsung One UI is an interface installed on Samsung Galaxy smartphones and tablets that modifies the Android operating system. In addition to changing various menus and settings, One UI also features a different aesthetic and user interface designed to reduce eye strain and make devices easier to use with one hand, hence the name.

One UI launched in 2018 on Samsung’s smartphones and tablets running Android 9 and above. It replaced the previous Samsung-modified Android interface, Samsung Experience, which itself was preceded by TouchWiz.

Which Phones Are Androids?

Due to the Android operating system being open source, Android smartphones are made by a wide variety of manufacturers worldwide.

Some Android smartphones are made by Google, such as the Pixel line of phones, while others are manufactured by Motorola, OnePlus, and Samsung. Mention of the Android operating system will almost always be on the product description or packaging of an Android phone.

What Are Some Samsung Android Phones?

Popular smartphones that run a Samsung interface over the Android operating system include:

• Galaxy A and Galaxy S product lines
• Galaxy Note smartphones, which encourage the use of a stylus
• Galaxy Z Flip and Galaxy Z Fold smartphones

Is Samsung iOS or Android?

Samsung One UI is an interface built on the Android operating system. When someone casually refers to a smartphone, smartwatch, or tablet “running Samsung,” they’re almost always referring to the Android OS running with a Samsung-designed overlay.

Is Samsung Better Than Apple?

Samsung and Apple have rival products in most main electronic categories, so judging which company’s products are best will depend significantly on which item you’re after and which features are essential to you.

For example, when comparing an iPhone and a Samsung phone, the iPhone gets system updates the same time each year, but Samsung phones support more customizations. We can make similar comparisons with the Apple Watch and Samsung Galaxy Watch, and Samsung Pay and Apple Pay.

The company ecosystem you’re already in is also a factor to consider when choosing new devices. If you have a Samsung tablet, it makes sense to buy a Samsung Galaxy Watch as you’ll be able to use the same app store and account that you already have. Likewise, if you have an iPad, buying an iPhone or a Mac would make sense for the same reason.

Is Samsung Japanese?

While many people assume Samsung is a Japanese company, it's actually South Korean.

Samsung was founded in South Korea in 1938 and primarily functioned as a trading company. Over the following decades, the company expanded into other fields and spun off into several affiliates such as Samsung C&T Corporation, Samsung Engineering, and Samsung Electronics.