Google Messages is now the stock texting app on the Galaxy S22 Ultra in the US

Samsung's Galaxy S22 series is now available to pre-order through platforms such as Amazon and Best Buy in the US. The consumers who buy these units may notice that the OEM has made changes that extend even beyond the inclusion of the S Pen in the Ultra variant (literally).

The OEM makes its own apps for most features and functions within One UI 4.1 based on Android 12, its own messaging app included. However, the default app for what used to be called SMS set by default on S22, S22+ and S22 Ultra units sold in the US is made by a different company: Google.

The Mountain View giant's Messages offers a "simple, helpful" experience when communicating via text; however, it also packs a number of advanced features, which include the ability to talk to the Assistant within the app, an effective gif-picker and navigation that leads easily to other services such as payments included.

However, and most importantly, it incorporates rich communication services (RCS), rated to send a greater variety of media in high quality and not merely text. Therefore, Samsung's decision to pre-install Messages on new phones in the US might be intended to give users all the expressive options they might want out of the box.

Then again, how well this new measure addresses the blue/green bubbles issue remains to be seen.