Hi Samsung Team,
I'm writing about how TalkBack works on Samsung phones. Right now, Samsung uses its own version of TalkBack instead of Google's, and this causes some problems for visually impaired users.
First, Samsung TalkBack updates only come with big One UI updates. This means I have to wait longer for new features and fixes compared to people on other Android phones, who get them straight from the Play Store. Also, older Samsung phones might never get new TalkBack versions. The Samsung TalkBack also doesn't have all the features Google's has, like the better image descriptions.
Another issue is that I can't choose to use Google's TalkBack, even if I install it. I'm stuck with Samsung’s version. The only way to use Google’s is a complicated method that most people don't know how to do. Samsung's own Galaxy Watches use Google's TalkBack, which shows it works well, so why not on phones?
These issues make it harder for me to use my phone. It’s important that I have the newest features and a consistent experience. While I appreciate the work on Samsung’s TalkBack, linking it to One UI updates slows things down for users who need the most up-to-date accessibility tools.
To make things better, I suggest using Google’s TalkBack from the Play Store. This would give me quick updates and all the features. If this isn't possible, please let me choose between Samsung's and Google's TalkBack in the settings, like how we choose web browsers.
This is a common issue discussed by people who use accessibility features. You can read more about it here:
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https://accessibleandroid.com/opinion-why-samsung-google-talkback-separation-is-nothing-but-a-headac...
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https://accessibleandroid.com/google-vs-samsung-the-android-accessibility-showdown-for-2025-and-beyo...
I hope Samsung will think about these problems to make sure visually impaired users have the best possible experience. Thanks for your time.
