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Why Samsung has no choice but to copy the iPhone 6

Published Feb 6th, 2015 3:20PM EST
Galaxy S6 vs. iPhone 6: Copying Apple

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Unless Samsung was able to somehow pull a major prank on all tech sites covering Galaxy S6 and Galaxy Edge leaks, and convince everyone it’s indeed copying the iPhone 6 with the new Galaxy S generation, then it’s more than clear to any Android fan that the upcoming Galaxy S6 will be very similar to the iPhone 6. Maybe too similar, even though that’s not necessarily a bad thing for Samsung, which might really need to revert to what has worked for it in the past.

But there’s one other reason Samsung has no choice to copy Apple, and Ars Technica perfectly captured it in a revealing set of images.

FROM EARLIER: Why Samsung fell

For years, Samsung was expected to launch its own operating system, a weapon that would free it from Google’s grasp and allow it to stand on its own feet. With this new OS, Samsung would control both the hardware and the software sides of smartphones, just like Apple does.

Well, Samsung finally released its first Tizen-based smartphone a short while ago, and the Ars has posted an in-depth comparison between Tizen OS, Android with TouchWiz on top, and Google’s pure Android OS. The conclusion is more than clear: After all these years, Samsung is nowhere near perfecting its own mobile operating system, or to turning Tizen into a decent Android alternative.

Without Google’s Android software, Samsung’s top devices — which, in many cases, are powerful gadgets that offer a great mobile experience — would apparently be pretty terrible. Just look at some of the images below to see how far Samsung is from designing a good-looking mobile operating system, one that users would consider choosing over iOS and Android.

Some images showing this Tizen vs. TouchWiz on Android vs. Google’s Android comparison follow below, with more available at this link. Also worth checking out is Ars Technica’s review of the world’s first Tizen handset at this link.

Chris Smith Senior Writer

Chris Smith has been covering consumer electronics ever since the iPhone revolutionized the industry in 2008. When he’s not writing about the most recent tech news for BGR, he brings his entertainment expertise to Marvel’s Cinematic Universe and other blockbuster franchises.

Outside of work, you’ll catch him streaming almost every new movie and TV show release as soon as it's available.