Android’s main attraction has always been its numerous options and customization tools. However, Android manufacturers have gone to great lengths in recent years to limit our options, even as power users. Android has lost much of its original appeal, which worries me about making the Samsung Galaxy S24 and Google Pixel 9 phones more appealing to the masses.
I don’t understand why it has to be this way. Android’s biggest strength is its flexibility, and while it’s important to make phones more consumer-friendly, I think we can get the best of both worlds.
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I had a problem with my Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra display
It could have been so easily fixed
When I first turned on the Galaxy S24 Ultra, I noticed how drab the display was compared to previous models. Samsung has lowered the saturation of the panel to provide more natural colors, but many people may prefer the muted colors, especially if they suffer from eye strain or want a display with accurate colors. I preferred I wasn’t in either of those categories, but I wasn’t bothered by 90’s passive matrix LCD panels that robbed me of futuristic colors.
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If you want, you can also change the screen on your Galaxy S24 FE from a completely natural screen to a futuristic neon explosion. If you can meet both needs through options, why aren’t you given more control by default?
I always thought that the color of the display was also determined at the factory. I remember that on older iPhones, the display had cooler and warmer color temperatures depending on the company that made the panel. Samsung has previously allowed you to control the tint and saturation of your display, but I didn’t think it would allow more. I was shocked when they added a vibrancy slider that gave me more control. It helped a little with the S24 Ultra, but it really surprised me with the Galaxy S24 FE.
If you want, you can also change the screen on your Galaxy S24 FE from a completely natural screen to a futuristic neon explosion. If you can meet both needs through options, why aren’t you given more control by default?
Displays are more than just colors
Frame rate control is important
One of my favorite features on the Razer Phone was the ability to adjust frame rates for individual games. Some games played better at 60Hz, while others could fully utilize Razer’s 144Hz LCD. It was a nice and elegant solution from a company that doesn’t bother with software support for mobile phones. I’m surprised that Google and Samsung don’t offer frame rate locking on their phones, much less the ability to choose which apps get which frame rate. .
Even developer options have been reduced, with AP’s Matt Scholz commenting on how frame rate locking has been removed from Samsung’s new tablet’s settings menu, which was designed for power users. It’s a shame that Android doesn’t offer the same functionality, since PCs allow you to adjust the frame rate differently to suit your display.
I understand the appeal of protecting users from themselves by default, but I don’t support limiting developer options to power users who know what they’re doing.
Android manufacturers need to be careful
Sales make the world go round. If Google and Samsung don’t sell enough phones, they have no incentive to make new ones. I’m not naive. I understand that it’s a business. And I know it’s good business to make the front-end UI more entry-friendly and remove the stigma that Android is only for enthusiasts. Google’s entire Pixel 9 lineup seems to be aimed at attracting casual users, and it seems unwise to give users the ability to break their phones in settings.
However, there needs to be a balance. Companies can continue to offer benign versions of Android, leaving beginners with few options that can get them into trouble. But don’t forget about enthusiasts who want to tweak display temperatures and frame rates. Getting the most out of your phone through options and customization has always been at the heart of the Android experience. I don’t want to see us lose that in the name of mass appeal.
