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Samsung's Galaxy S26 Ultra, already known for its share of preinstalled bloatware. | Image by PhoneArena
Samsung and Amazon just announced a partnership that puts the Amazon Music app on select upcoming Galaxy phones and tablets right out of the box, joining the list of apps already preinstalled on phones like the Galaxy S26 Ultra. Amazon Music is also landing in the Galaxy Store, with a three-month free trial of its Unlimited tier for anyone who downloads it fresh.
Samsung and Amazon Music strike a preinstall deal
Samsung confirmed the deal today. The app is heading to the Galaxy Store as a standalone download, and it'll also come preinstalled on "select" Samsung phones and tablets, though Samsung hasn't said which models make that list yet.
In its announcement, Samsung framed the deal as a win for Galaxy owners rather than another line on the bloatware list.
We are constantly finding new ways to deliver special benefits and value for our Galaxy users. Through our collaboration with Amazon Music, Samsung continues to elevate premium experiences across the Galaxy experience.
Izzet Asayas, Head of CTV and Mobile Business Development at Samsung, Samsung Newsroom, July 15, 2026
Amazon Music's Karolina Joynathsing, its director of business development, added that the goal is world-class audio entertainment from the very first setup screen, especially with the free trial sweetening the deal.
How do you feel about Amazon Music coming pre-installed on some Galaxy devices?
What this means if you're not on a Galaxy
If you're carrying a Pixel or an iPhone, this deal doesn't really affect you. Google keeps its own apps front and center on Pixel phones, and Apple's model doesn't allow this kind of preinstall arrangement, so neither audience needs to worry about Amazon Music showing up uninvited.
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It's a different story if you own or are eyeing a Galaxy phone. Samsung has leaned into these kinds of app deals for a while, and some have been harder to shake off than others. Amazon Music being preinstalled isn't nearly as concerning on its own, but it does add one more icon to an app drawer that's already gotten crowded on Samsung's flagship.
A promotional image for the Samsung and Amazon Music partnership. | Image by Samsung
Here's what the free trial actually costs
The offer is straightforward, but the fine print is worth reading before you tap subscribe. Amazon Music Unlimited comes with a three-month free trial for new subscribers, then it rolls into a paid plan automatically unless you cancel first.
Here's how the pricing breaks down:
Three months free for new Amazon Music Unlimited subscribers
$12.99 a month afterward for most customers
$11.99 a month for Amazon Prime members
Includes one Audible audiobook per month on top of the music catalog
Nothing about the pricing is unusual for a streaming trial. Still, it's easy to forget about once the three months are up, so it's worth setting a reminder if you don't plan on keeping it.
My take: a nice perk, dressed up a little too much
I don't think Amazon Music landing on Galaxy phones is a big deal on its own. It's a legitimate app with a massive catalog, and a free trial is still a free trial.
What gets me is the framing. Samsung's language about elevating premium experiences is doing a lot of work to make a preinstall deal sound like a gift, when it's really the same arrangement that's been filling up Galaxy app drawers for years. Our own readers told us they're mostly fine with bloatware so long as it can be uninstalled, and that's the only thing I'd want confirmed here.
If Samsung wants credit for a premium experience, making every preinstalled app just as easy to remove would go a lot further than the trial ever will.
Six-month unlimited plan is now 57% off
$90
$210
$120 off (57%)
Mint Mobile is now allowing you to get whichever plan you like for either three, six, or 12 months for just $15/mo. If you go for the six-month unlimited service, for instance, you'll now have to pay just $90 upfront instead of $210.
Johanna Romero is a Senior News Writer at PhoneArena, covering mobile technology news across Android, iOS, wearables, and the Google ecosystem she knows best. Drawing on 15 years in IT and tech support from 2007 to 2022, she brings a user-friendly eye for the practical features and lesser-known tricks readers care about. Google named her an official #TeamPixel member in 2022, and she also reviews the latest devices on her YouTube channel, JoJo the Techie.
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