Samsung Follows Apple and Lets Users Move Mobile Browser Address Bar to the Bottom of the Screen

[cocky jeremy]

Apple took significant flak from users when it moved Safari's address bar to the bottom of the screen in iOS 15, but Samsung apparently liked it enough that it's now added the same option to its own mobile web browser for Android phones.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1455711773802258437

As shown in the tweet above, the optional layout now appears in a beta version of the Samsung Internet app. To be fair to Samsung, Apple wasn't the first to move the address bar below the browser window. Google tried something similar in 2016 for its own home-grown browser before canning the idea following negative user feedback. Microsoft had a similar browser interface design on Windows Phone, and even Firefox has played with a bottom address bar on Android.

That said, Samsung's timing is a bit curious, coming in the wake of Apple's much-publicized and highly divisive Safari interface redesign. Apple made sweeping changes to Safari browser in iOS 15, iPadOS 15, and macOS Monterey, making numerous alterations to the organization and layout of tabs and other tools. Following a user backlash, Apple walked back the most controversial changes in successive betas, and made the position of the address bar optional.

Article Link: Samsung Follows Apple and Lets Users Move Mobile Browser Address Bar to the Bottom of the Screen

Samsung copying Apple? Noooo. Never.

 

[akashagrawal]

Internet Explorer on Windows Phone a decade ago.

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I don't think the UX change itself is curious. It's the timing. Samsung could have made this change any time, but chose to be seen as copying stuff.
And windows phone were love! I got my entire family on these devices. Their sunset was heartbreaking.

 

[twistedpixel8]

do you know that they had it 2 years back before apple announce ios 15

I’m reasonably sure you’re wrong that Samsung had it 2 years ago but even if they did, they ditched it and seemingly only brought it back because Apple implemented it.

 

[k1121j]

If you cant beat them join them I guess is their motto

 

[Polaroid]

Why does it have to be a competition and copying lol… its just a UI change, get over it - does it really affect peoples lives that much? If you like Apple great, if you like Samsung great! If it works for you then who cares. It’s really petty and childish lol

 

[SurferPup]

Am I the only one who switch it back to the top almost immediately?

Yes. Is it lonely at the top?

 

[Forti]

Am I the only one who switch it back to the top almost immediately?

Probably yes. Try to use it for 1-2 days and you will never want to go back

 

[owidhh]

I remember when Firefox, Opera mobile (or Opera mini?) and maybe other browsers had the address bar at the bottom, then as screens grew larger everyone moved it to the top despite the decreased usability...

Glad we're getting the option bac.

 

[Jeaz]

Took some getting used to. But i gave it a chance and now prefer it at the bottom. Easier to reach.

It also provides a bit more readable screen. The bottom section is partially blocked by my scrolling thumb anyways.

 

[antiprotest]

Apple took significant flak from users when it moved Safari's address bar to the bottom of the screen in iOS 15

Misleading statement -- it was not because of that in itself. At least at first it was because it was poorly implemented, and users were not given the option to let it remain on top. Many people wanted it at the bottom, but made aspects of the browser almost unusable until Apple made adjustments.

 

[atoqir]

I like the new Safari bottom bar in iOS15. Looks good and works great on big phones.

I am very happy though they did a full revert on iPadOS like it was. The new design there was horrible. The fact that they made the old design default means they know this. The 'compact' option will probably disappear in iPad0S16.

In landscape mode on iPhone the 'compact design' is already gone in Safari so the writing is on the wall.

 

[wanha]

Why do people still care who had what first? If it's something good, it would be stupid not to integrate it as well and in the end the consumers will profit.

For trivial things, this is true. In this case, it almost certainly is.

But for complex, integrated designs, a lack of vision will almost inevitably lead to unexpected compromises down the line.

 

[RealPhone]

Samsung = Body and arms, but without brain!

 

[aevan]

Am I the only one who switch it back to the top almost immediately?

Why? The content space is the same and it’s easier to reach.

 

[Christoffee]

Took some getting used to. But i gave it a chance and now prefer it at the bottom. Easier to reach.

Agreed. And it also frees up the top of the screen, which is where my eyes spend their time. It is tidier.

 

[derekamoss]

Internet Explorer on Windows Phone a decade ago.

View attachment 1901318

Damn I miss my windows phone. Nokia 1020 ftw!!!

 

[twistedpixel8]

People just hate change, even though the Safari iOS 15 design is way more ergonomic, quick to use, and less frustrating. Doesn’t make sense to have the UI at the top of a phone that you can’t even reach unless you use two hands.

“Reachability”

🤣

 

[Captain Trips]

Copying is the sincerest form of innovation. 😸

 

[ikir]

I love bottom navigation bar on iPhone

 

[twistedpixel8]

Why? The content space is the same and it’s easier to reach.

I don’t mind it at the bottom to be honest but weeks later I’m still fighting muscle memory and reaching up. I hope I eventually get used to it…

 

[TheMacDaddy1]

Took some getting used to. But i gave it a chance and now prefer it at the bottom. Easier to reach.

Same way better. Now I wish more controls were at the bottom

 

[iLG]

New safari is awesome! Love both macOS and iOS versions

 

[miq]

That headline is really cringe

 

[catracho504]

 

[himanshumodi]

I think apple (and samsung) need to move their auto-complete suggestions right above the address bar, filling up bottom first. Right now, the auto-complete suggestions are on the top. Not a great experience to have auto-complete so far from where the input-text is showing up.