Android has a reputation for lag caused by excessive bloatware forced onto devices from the factory. Over the years, custom interfaces like Samsung TouchWiz and HTC Sense have become known for adding another layer to the operating system and ultimately slowing it down.
Things began to change this year as many brands began to trim back their skins. The latest version of TouchWiz is generally seen as a marked improvement over last year’s offering, although there’s still more to do.
Samsung is apparently aware of this. A new rumour claims it is working on a significant overhaul of TouchWiz in time for the anticipated launch of the Galaxy S7 in March next year. It is believed to be working with Google to get help on optimising the software so it runs better alongside Android.
The goal of this optimisation is apparently to make Android 6.0 Marshmallow have “greater fluency than iOS” when running on flagship devices. The eventual aim is to build a “non-delayed operating experience” that will be as responsive as Apple’s revered platform.
Rumours of Google helping Samsung to improve TouchWiz have been floating about for around a month now. SamMobile reported in November that Google has had enough of laggy, bloat-filled custom Android interfaces and has now told Samsung — and possibly other manufacturers — to cut back in 2016.
The issue of unresponsive launchers has led some consumers to believe the issue affects the entire Android operating system, a misconception Google is keen to correct by demonstrating next year that the platform can run comparably to Apple’s “fluent” iOS.
The performance hit is real though, as a Google engineer explained back in 2011. Android doesn’t prioritize rendering graphics and updating the display as much as iOS does, so it may continue running background tasks as the user expects an animation to play or screen to scroll. Google has been working to change the way in which Android renders graphics but the issue still persists in the OS.
Samsung’s Galaxy S7 is expected to get a public unveiling during the first few months of the year. It will be one of the first devices to run Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 820 processor and is also thought to feature a pressure-sensing display to rival Apple’s 3D Touch.
Samsung – possibly with Google’s help – seems to be shaping the Galaxy S7 into a true iPhone rival and building a handset to ensure the annual decline in sales it experienced for the first time this year isn’t repeated in 2016. As with the Galaxy S6, standard and curved ‘Edge’ variants will be available.
