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Why I'll never go back to TouchWiz

samsung galaxy s6 vs s4 display
© nextpit

I recently experienced something that every smartphone owner looks forward to – New Phone Day! I finally upgraded from my trusty Galaxy device, and I'm pretty smitten with my new Moto G (2015) and its near-stock Android interface. And now I've tried it, nothing in the world could make me go back to a device with TouchWiz.

It'd be unfair to directly compare my new Moto G with my old Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini – there's a two-year age gap between the two devices, after all, so the Motorola is bound to feel like a better phone. But it's not the slightly improved technical specs and marginally more up-to-date Android version that have rocked my world. It's the streamlined, bloatware-free experience that the almost-stock Android OS offers. Here's why.

I like things neat

The key downside of Touchwiz is the amount of bloatware it brings along with it. My S4 Mini came with 52 apps preinstalled. 52! They spanned three screens when I scrolled through my app drawer, and that's before I downloaded any of my own.

samsung cluttered app drawer
Three screens' worth apps from the outset – what a mess! / © ANDROIDPIT

It's bad enough that nearly a third of them sat eternally unused, like most of the channels in your cable subscription, for the entire time I used the phone as a daily driver. But what really gets my goat is that many of Samsung's preinstalled apps were duplicates of commonly-used Google apps.

Do I really need two internet browsers and two email apps? And while I'm sure S Planner and S Translate are perfectly functional, I prefer Google Calender and Leo, which means I was stuck with double calendar and translation apps too. And having two of everything just looks untidy. 

All the apps on my Moto G fit nicely within two screens, including nine that I downloaded myself. There are no duplicates, almost nothing that I haven't or wouldn't have chosen myself and nothing cluttering up the place unnecessarily. Much better.

motorola minimal app drawer
With less bloatware, everything sits neatly on two screens. Much better. / © ANDROIDPIT

I like things simple

When I move into a new apartment, I don't expect to have to spend the first hour of my time there throwing out surplus furniture or stuffing other people's junk into a closet (although it has happened).

I don't want to do that with my phone either. With the Moto G, all I had to do was add my SIM card, log into Google and I was away.

When I booted up the S4 Mini for the time, it tried to get me to add a Samsung account, and then pushed Dropbox on me. It left loads of junk (sorry, widgets and apps shortcuts) lying around the homescreen too, which I had to get rid of before I could really make the phone feel like home.

samsung s4mini messyhomescreens
Who left all that junk lying around? / © ANDROIDPIT

I like things quick

Every time I picked up my S4 Mini it seemed to be updating something or other, which really slowed down the performance of the phone. If it decided it wanted to update several apps all at once, it basically meant I couldn't use the phone until it was finished – not efficiently, anyway.

The Moto runs updates too of course, but fewer apps mean fewer updates, which means it spends less time being otherwise occupied when I want to Instagram the brownie I just bought. 

Fewer apps to scroll through also means I find the one I want to use more quickly, as does not being presented with a choice of apps to use each time I hit a web link. These might sound like small things, but every second counts in the life of an AndroidPIT staffer. Those deadlines don't meet themselves. 

android 60 marshmallow hero devil 1
Give me underdressed Android over overdressed Android any day. / © ANDROIDPIT

Sorry, Touchwiz – we aren't ever getting back together

I'm pretty minimalist, and having a clean and tidy app drawer has improved my smartphone experience no end. It's also significantly nicer being able to find what I want quickly and easily, rather than sifting through lots of things I don't. 

Yes, there are workarounds for all of my complaints – disabling apps or auto-updates, or installing a custom ROM – but I'd much rather have a phone that didn't require me to do all that in the first place. For those reasons, when the time comes to upgrade my current phone, it's unlikely that I'll even consider one with TouchWiz or any other UI that adds too much the basic Android software. 

What do you think? Does TouchWiz detract from an otherwise great phone, or does it add essential features to the Android OS? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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Kim Clayden

Kim Clayden
Copy Editor

Kim joined AndroidPIT in 2015, having previously worked at BikeRadar.com and a wide range of print publications. Her first smartphone was an HTC Desire and she´s been loyal to Android ever since.

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  • 9
    rick Feb 22, 2016 Link to comment

    ya, S5 owner here, it dose suck having 30- 35 disabled apps clogging up your phone. Kids mode!! It would be stupid to let a kid fuck around with a 5-600$ device in the first place. I bought my phone outright, why cant i get rid of shit like kids mode? i hope the S7 isnt clutterd like the S5. My carrier is Boost Mobile, and i told them i wanted the S5 with 32 gigs on the device, the told me they dont have 32gigs, and sold me this one with 16 gigs, only thing is, i end up with 11 gigs of it, wtf, all this bloat crap isnt needed. i like The S5, it would be so much nicer if it were not clutterd with stuff that just takes up storage, and kills battery. Stuff thats not even used.


  • 2
    John Geary Feb 19, 2016 Link to comment

    Will samsung be updating TouchWiz on all phones I have I9506 S4


  • 2
    Michael Feb 18, 2016 Link to comment

    Please don't talk crap about Samsung. Guys back in 2014 Samsung was a bit confused about consumer needs, it's true the software skin on previous devices where so bloated but that was in 2014. This is 2016 and samsung have improved with a better and snappier experience with their devices. Plus what's all this with comparing devices that are
    Two year old with current devices. That's why they are old models, we learn from our mistakes and become better. To me if you don't like devices with over bloated ui and laggy performance save up and get a current device
    #devoted samsung fan


  • Parvind Chahal 21
    Parvind Chahal Feb 18, 2016 Link to comment

    hey android pit i m not against u neither i wanna ur writer to be disrespected by me....few year back when android pit had not much user i was there.....i still love android pit....i just coment rude bcos i want android pit level at highest...

    now it comes to ur this article how u can compare galaxy s4 mini ui with stock or moto g....it is time of s6 and s7 look at ui it is far better thn before......with m update it is becoming more light and fast......at the same time look at functionality of touchwiz ui...it provide more feature thn anyother ui.......everybody cant be fond of just plane stock ui so everybody want something new thats why people go for lg...sony....samsung...htc...bcos every ui have something better.......now come to the point verzon bloatware or other US company bloatware thn this prblm is also with nexus phones......

    u can delete my acount ofcos i would have no regrets abt it.....rise above ur own verdicts dont mislead peoples bcos they have trust thats why they log in android pit......thnx android pit and u can do watever u want with my acount....dont warn me at my email do straight if it make a sense

    lotusKong LingJeff Garland


  • surya kumar 16
    surya kumar Feb 18, 2016 Link to comment

    Finally someone's feeling how I felt when I used a Samsung.Its ridiculous guys


    • 2
      Mark Corbin Feb 18, 2016 Link to comment

      I can relate to the new trimmed up Touch Wiz as a good thing having had an S2. Once I found that other launchers were available I never looked at Touch Wiz again. Just personal preference. Then it came time to get a new phone. I was able to get a nexus 5. I was amazed at the experience. Although a better camera would have been nice, I am very pleased with the phone and I probably won't get another phone for quite a while. The experience of a phone that was devoid of clutter was fun. Any clutter was mine from having some fun with the phone.


  • 11
    The Multiverse Feb 17, 2016 Link to comment

    Dearest Kim, you REALLY should find something else to do, because this article is - momentarily - the dumbest thing on the site.. This for all reasons mentioned before. You wrote a 2013 review, apparently not knowing the first thing about smartphones at all. The current version of TouchWiz doesn't look anything like your ancient version of the software. And you really should have known this, simply because it's your (not too difficult) job to know, Kim.. It's your JOB!! With all due respect of course.

    lotusKong LingJeff GarlandParvind ChahalBernard IgnacioManuelThangbithit


  • 4
    Alberto Feb 17, 2016 Link to comment

    I have to be honest. I'm a mobile phone freak and I practically collect them, so I actually know where you're coming from. My previous phone was a Samsung S6 and wow!, what a great phone, great screen and great pictures. It just was a really fast phone. Touchwiz? Hate everything about it. I do wish that one day we can have a Samsung running on stock android. That being said, I couldn't keep it. I don't like Samsung software and just changed it for the Nexus 6P. Sometimes is not only about the specs, and stock android is simple, fast and functional.
    I will just recommend stock android or something really close to it like the Motorola phones.


  • 1
    Peter Steier Feb 17, 2016 Link to comment

    I like the Note Series because of stylus support, stylus support and - stylus support. However, for each of the S apps, there is a better one in the market. I do not want to elaborate why, it is just standard things like proprietary file formats, data storage at yet another cloud, etc. Especially, if I'm used to certain apps (e.g. an alert clock or a calendar) and if they work, I do not have time to learn to use another one. Unfortunately, my Note 1 broke recently.

    Thus I bought a vanilla Note 4 (because a Smart phone need about one year to ripen), skipped Google and Android account, applied the pending Android updates, rooted it, installed Titanium backup, deleted all apps starting with S and all other identifiable bloatware, restored the apps from my Note 1 with Titanium from the SD card (including Nova Launcher), and set up the Google account without data sync. Then I try out all apps; some of them are set to not auto update, as the developers destroyed the functionality in later versions. This is two days of work, but it is still the most comfortable way.

    I was not able to get rid of all nonsense like the motion sensor wakelock which leads to 4 times shorter battery live when the phone is moved than when it is lying still on a table (best feature ever), but now I am at least able to work.

    Yes, I do productive work with my phone. I use only payed apps, and I have a payed Skype and Dropbox account. I need no free offers. Samsung should add a config option "Productive work"; if it is on, all the toddler's toys should disappear.

    The hardware, including screen, camera, agps, sd card, ... is great. It is only TouchWiz which deteriorates user experience.


  • Michal Horna 14
    Michal Horna Feb 17, 2016 Link to comment

    I like TouchWiz, but it needs a lot of bloatware
    remove.
    After removal of the excellent experience

    Manuel


  • Pieter Uys 8
    Pieter Uys Feb 17, 2016 Link to comment

    Can see Kim is new to the hardcore tech community. Just entered the "hate Samsung" stage, where most were 2 years ago. Really bored of that crap. Doesn't make you fit in, just shows you're a nube.

    lotusKong LingParvind ChahalThe MultiverseAndré Lerm


  • William K. 10
    William K. Feb 17, 2016 Link to comment

    I hate the endless bloatware. What's worse is being on Verizon and dealing with their crap too. 32gb phone comes with what feels like 16gb free. It is crazy. This is why I need a SD card expansion.


  • Darren Wedge (文达雷) 1
    Darren Wedge (文达雷) Feb 17, 2016 Link to comment

    I understand your pain. I just uninstall and hide the apps and clear the cache etc.


  • Dean L. 34
    Dean L. Feb 17, 2016 Link to comment

    Interesting read for me since I'm thinking of upgrading some time this year. I've been weighing the pros & cons of the nexus phones against LG, HTC, Samsung, etc. I now have knowledge to help me make an informed decision when I do upgrade. Thanks


    • 6
      Vernon Denison Feb 17, 2016 Link to comment

      No you don't, what has been wrote here about touchwiz is two years out of date, the new touchwiz on the new Samsung flagship phones is nothing like this,the new Samsung s7 / s7 edge has had a Google team working with Samsung on the touchwiz for a year, this report is so out of date it is unbelievable, shocking unbelievable.

      lotusKong LingJeff GarlandManuelDwarfer66The Multiverse


    • 6
      Jeff Garland Feb 18, 2016 Link to comment

      I agree, don't make a judgement call because of this article, his opinion is based on a phone that's well out dated, touch wiz has come a long way, I have the note 5 and I absolutely love it.

      lotus


  • 19
    Glostermeteor Feb 17, 2016 Link to comment

    I use Nova launcher on my S5 get the best of both worlds the Samsung hardware and apps with a cleaner home screen

    Manuel


  • 6
    Vernon Denison Feb 17, 2016 Link to comment

    The touchwiz of today on a Samsung 6s edge isn't the same as what was on the s4 mini to even write this report on touchwiz today is so misleading it's a joke, also the touchwiz which is going to be on the s7 edge has had a team from Google working on it for a year so what is that going to be like now.

    lotusKong LingJeff GarlandParvind ChahalManuelDwarfer66The MultiverseMcLaren F1P1


    • 6
      McLaren F1P1 Feb 17, 2016 Link to comment

      You nailed it!


    • 9
      Chavanel Feb 17, 2016 Link to comment

      No kidding. Welcome to 2013 phone reviews.
      Is this post some kind of mistake where someone hit the wrong button and did a Post instead of an Archive?
      Sheesh. WTF

      lotusKong LingDwarfer66The Multiverse


  • Paolo 17
    Paolo Feb 17, 2016 Link to comment

    I read and applaud your good points, and I raise why I'd put a TouchWiz phone on my Priority List. Discussions welcome.

    1. Stylus support. This is specific to Galaxy Note (Note 3 user here,) and by God Samsung absolutely nailed it with the S Pen usability, the only true competition for it is in the PC space! It makes the Galaxy Note the TRUE anti-iPhone Android ought to be. Because it's productive.

    2. Multi Window. I really thought Google would wake up and make this standard with Marshmalllow, but nope! You need root and Xposed to enable it. It makes the Nexus 6P nothing more than a bigger screen for YouTube and Clash of Clans, such a waste.

    3. What "bloat" Samsung put, it actually WORKS AS ADVERTISED. Other folks put stuff for the sake of putting stuff. At least the Heart rate sensors are accurate. At least the proximity sensors gestures work. The S Notes sync with Evernote. They don't half ass features, looking at you, LG!

    4. For what it's worth, Samsung consistently puts some of the BEST cameras on mobile at many price points, from the starter phones to the most premium of the lot.

    Kong LingScott Adam GordonCory SchmidtJeff GarlandDwarfer66Pieter UysSissy johnson


    • 5
      Sissy johnson Feb 17, 2016 Link to comment

      Well said. I love my note 5

      Jeff Garland


    • 14
      Nickname303 Feb 17, 2016 Link to comment

      Paolo - regarding your point number 3 - the point is that Samsung shouldn't fill your phone with all of these apps in the first place. It makes no difference whether the apps work well or not, why do they FORCE users to have these apps on their phone? If I want a heart rate monitor, for instance, (which I don't by the way) i'm intelligent enough to be able to go on the Play Store, look what's available, and download one if I want, i don't need Samsung forcing me to have one (and have THEIRS) whether i want it or not. If Samsung want people to use their apps then they should just leave people to download them if they so desire. And why do they make these apps so that you can't uninstall them? By doing that they're FORCING these apps on you, that's what's wrong with it. Not giving you the option of uninstalling them if you don't want them is a joke. If i came round to your home one day, walked into your lounge and dumped a load of stuff in the middle of the floor, and super glued it all down so that you couldn't move it, would you say "Gee, thanks for that"? Because that is essentially what Samsung etc. are doing with your phone.

      Give people a choice what they want on the phone that they've just paid alot of money for, is that too much to ask? If I wanted a phone that didn't give me choices of what I want to do with it, I'd buy an iPhone.


      • Paolo 17
        Paolo Feb 18, 2016 Link to comment

        I understand this here, but what Samsung put revolves around HARDWARE! The software they could keep improving on, but what depends on the hardware (S Pen stylus, heart rate scanner, proximity sensor gestures, device waterproofing) needs to stay.

        We complain about how "bloated" Samsung Galaxy are, but no one complains to the extent of sites like this when FAMILY CARS such as the Chevy Malibu or Toyota Camry are bloated as when filled to the brim with luxury and hardware safety features. If we wanted our phones to have absolutely NO add-ons and keep with bone stock software as much as we want no bloating features in our cars, we'd buy more race cars and track day cars that don't even have air conditioning instead of family cars and ask for more features!

        P.S. Those Play Store "heart rate scanners are inaccurate, wildly inaccurate, compared to PROPER, HARDWARE heart rate scanners.

        Mark G.Kong LingJeff Garland


      • 14
        Nickname303 Feb 18, 2016 Link to comment

        I was merely using the heart rate monitor as an example. The fact is that many of the things Samsung (and others) force you to have on your phone could easily be downloaded from the play store if you wanted them, they don't need to be forced on us. And like I say, what's their excuse for making them uninstallable?

        Comparing safety features in cars to Samsung's bloat is just being disingenuous, and is frankly silly. Those safety features are there to save lives, I don't think that any of the apps that Samsung forces people to have on their phones are going to do that are they? And many cars have features that you can pay extra to have IF YOU CHOOSE TO.

        My main problem is the fact that these apps are made so that they can't be uninstalled. If they insist on making phones that have their apps pre-installed on there, at least let people get rid of them if they don't want them. It would take a few seconds to uninstall the apps you didn't want and there wouldn't be a problem with that. But to give you no choice of whether you want these apps taking up space on your phone or not is unnecessary. I want to make my own choices, I don't want some guy in Samsung's head office telling me what apps i've GOT to have on my phone. That is the sort of thing you expect from Apple. Many people who prefer Android prefer it because of its flexibility and the fact that you can have things how YOU want them. The companies that force these apps onto us are taking that away from us.


      • Mark G. 28
        Mark G. Feb 19, 2016 Link to comment

        If it was the case that the majority of customers (rather than the majority of users on a forum) wanted bloat free stock Android then they would buy a nexus. Samsung knows that a lot of they're customers use the apps installed. I agree that it would be better if we could uninstall them though the option to disable them isn't so bad.
        I don't see the Samsung moaners complain about the pre-installed Google apps. Surely stock Android comes with pre-installed apps as well? Can these be uninstalled or disabled?

        I believe the previous comment was in reference to cars providing entertainment apps or software as apposed to critical safety software..

        Peace ✌


      • 14
        Nickname303 Feb 20, 2016 Link to comment

        I'm not saying that nobody uses the apps Samsung puts on their phones. So those people could easily download them and use them if they didn't come pre-installed. And like I've said, i don't have anything against pre-installed apps themselves, just the fact that they've been made uninstallable. Disabling them is just a work around. At the end of the day if you don't use an app on your phone you uninstall it, you don't just disable it and leave it on your phone do you? But Samsung etc. won't let you do that with their apps! Why? Tell me why! Many people buy Nexus phones because of the fact that it's stock Android and doesn't come with bloat, so its definitely an issue and something that can sway peoples purchasing decisions. There's many Samsung owners who wish that the phone didn't come with all of the bloat, they just put up with it if they want to own a Samsung.

        "Samsung knows that alot of they're (sic) customers use the apps installed"
        Yup, and they also know that there's lots of customers who will buy their phones no matter what they put on there just because its a Samsung. If they made the S7 pink and put a picture of a penis on the back many people would still buy it just because its Samsung, and penises on phones would then become "cool" (yes, I'm being silly, but you get my point).

        As mentioned before, I think that this uninstallable apps thing is very "Applesque" and is not, in my opinion, in keeping with the Android philosophy of being a customisable platform. Non critical Google apps should be uninstallable too in my opinion, I'm not just picking on Samsung here (this topic is about Samsung so I'm using those as an example), its a general annoyance with whoever stops people uninstalling stuff that they don't want.

        And Paolo did mention "hardware safety features" in his post, which is what I was referencing in my reply to him.


  • Mark G. 28
    Mark G. Feb 17, 2016 Link to comment

    The pre-installed apps on Samsung Galaxy devices are split between Google & Samsung to imply that the 52 apps were Samsung is misleading at the best.

    I'm using the excellent Samsung Galaxy S5 running Android 5.02, I've disabled the Google/Samsung apps I don't use and re arranged my home screens with the widgets and apps I use I would have done this even if the screens were empty.

    If you had just said "im a minimalist" so prefer stock Android would be ok. Instead you tried really hard to justify your decision with the consequences of looking petty.

    You don't have to use a Samsung account though its needed for "find my phone" and "back up service" (which I believe your colleagues praise and urge Samsung users to activate).

    50gb free Dropbox is a good thing - but you don't have to use it. (again your colleagues highlight the need to have different formats for backing up).

    I personally find the S Planner does a better job than the other calendar apps.

    I find looking for apps is not a hassle (I have lots installed). My app drawer is customisable. I have my apps sorted so all the Google apps are together, all my media apps are on another page etc. My home screen is again sorted with a mixture of App folders & widgets. I also use a app called floating Toucher which gives me access to my favourite apps regardless of the screen im using.

    It's unfortunate that your S4 mini slowed down during updates, disabled apps do not get updated so I can only presume it was apps that you were using or again Google apps.. My excellent Samsung Galaxy S5 is very fast, it rarely suffers from lag or forced closes.

    For me Touchwiz is one of the main reasons for purchasing a Samsung.

    Could it be better - yes of course I think I should be able to uninstall pre-installed apps I don't use instead of disabling them.

    A Little Bit of constructive criticism is good, but should be balanced.

    Peace ✌

    lotusKong LingMichael MorrisseyBush M.Dwarfer66The MultiversePedro AlmeidaMoni MihailovSissy johnsonGrossDad


    • 19
      Moni Mihailov Feb 17, 2016 Link to comment

      Completely agree with you dude :) S5 owner here too!

      Mark G.Michael Morrissey


    • Ravindu Thimantha Gamage 8
      Ravindu Thimantha Gamage Feb 18, 2016 Link to comment

      I don't like TouchWiz but I agree with your comment! As much as I dislike the look of TouchWiz, the features they have implemented (call them gimmicks if you may) are useful and are mostly not found in Stock Android! I prefer stock but Samsung is good in it's own way! It's not bad at all. It's just different!

      surya kumarMark G.Michael Morrissey


  • 7
    Joel Roxx Feb 17, 2016 Link to comment

    I am using Nova Launcher and haven't used Touchwiz on my SMT320 since a year..... Its mayyyyybe because i delted my Touchwiz bloatware when i was doing Nerdy root stuff..... :P But the worst part is i cant wipe my data or else my device would be stuck in a blank screen..... Any help?


    • 9
      Luka Feb 17, 2016 Link to comment

      Maybe you deleted something by accident or messed something up by rooting. Try flashing official firmware with Odin. That should solve everything. Then if you are unhappy with it, root again.

      Dwarfer66


  • 3
    Terry Martini Feb 17, 2016 Link to comment

    I like stock Android. I have a nexus 6 and it doesn't have hardly any bloatware. I delete or disable what I don't want on my phone.


  • 1
    Bhargav Hegde Feb 17, 2016 Link to comment

    Moto G2 is working too slow after updating to Android marshmallow 6.0


    • Hein Badenhorst 2
      Hein Badenhorst Feb 17, 2016 Link to comment

      A reset might do the trick.


  • 7
    Haggie Feb 17, 2016 Link to comment

    I use Nova Launcher. It beats TouchWiz, native Android, and any other launcher. Plus, it has a great back feature. As I move from phone to phone, I simply reload my apps and then pull the settings and layout from the backup. Also, I use the same Nova Launcher layout across multiple devices, so I always have a consistent layout and UI.


  • McNeil 9
    McNeil Feb 17, 2016 Link to comment

    I never liked Samsung or their TouchWiz... i tend to compare my sister's Samsung j5 and my m2 xperia. Both have 5.1.1 but side by side , the clean and minilistic xperia is better by far! Why do people love Twiz???


  • 4
    Dave Elkins Feb 17, 2016 Link to comment

    I'm on my 2nd Samsung. Easy to disable bloatware so it's gone from homepages & drawer, and doesn't update. Nova Launcher gives a beautiful UI.


    • 14
      Nickname303 Feb 17, 2016 Link to comment

      But those apps are still taking up valuable space on your phone. Why don't Samsung allow you to uninstall them instead of having to disable them?


  • Robert P. 2
    Robert P. Feb 17, 2016 Link to comment

    Amen to that, Kim! Previous to AT&T's Galaxy S6, I was able to root my phone, and remove the bloatware myself, immediately thereafter. Well, not the case with the AT&T bootloaders anymore, so bye bye AT&T altogether, and heading for a pure Google Android device and experience.

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