Samsung to Pre-install Amazon Music on New Galaxy Devices Ahead of Unpacked Event
The move introduces a three-month free trial that auto-renews at $13 monthly, while raising further concerns over device storage and pre-installed software practices.
Samsung has announced plans to pre-install the Amazon Music application on its upcoming Galaxy smartphones and tablets, a development timed to coincide with the company’s upcoming Galaxy Unpacked event. The announcement confirms a partnership with Amazon that will see the streaming service bundled with new hardware, joining a growing roster of third-party applications already present on Samsung devices.
Under the terms of the agreement, users who download the application via the Galaxy Store will receive a complimentary three-month subscription to Amazon Music Unlimited. The Galaxy Store itself is a pre-installed component of the Samsung ecosystem, serving as the primary distribution channel for this offer. To activate the free trial, users must download the app within 12 months of setting up their device.
The inclusion of Amazon Music expands Samsung’s existing catalogue of pre-installed partner applications, which currently includes Facebook, Instagram, OneDrive, LinkedIn, and Spotify. According to Engadget, these pre-installed applications collectively consume more than 1GB of storage space on the device. While most of these applications can be fully uninstalled by the user, some, such as Facebook, can only be disabled, meaning residual data remains stored on the hardware even when the app is inactive.
This strategy contrasts with the approach taken by rival manufacturer Apple, where iPhones typically do not ship with unwanted third-party software pre-installed from the factory. Engadget has characterised the addition of Amazon Music as an example of "bloatware," noting that while the update may not be a significant issue for all users, it represents a small annoyance for those preferring a cleaner out-of-the-box experience.
Consumers should note the financial implications of the free trial. If the Amazon Music Unlimited subscription is not cancelled before the initial three-month period expires, it will automatically renew at a rate of $13 per month. The announcement comes as speculation mounts regarding which specific Galaxy models will receive the update, with no confirmation yet on whether the pre-installation will apply to all new releases or only those unveiled at the upcoming event.
