Samsung phone owners experience slowdown of more than 10,000 apps

Samsung phone owners are up in arms over concerns that internal performance limits built into their devices are responsible for throttling more than 10,000 apps. 

The issue is reportedly connected to Samsung’s Game Optimizing Service, and it is being investigated by the company.

The apps that have been affected include a variety of games and information apps from bigger companies like Nintendo, Netflix, YouTube, and Facebook. Several of Samsung’s own apps, like Samsung Pay and Samsung Pass, have experienced slowdowns.

Reports suggest that the likely motive behind the throttling is an attempt by Samsung to improve battery life.

This isn't Samsung's first throttling brouhaha. In 2018, the company was fined millions of dollars for slowing down smartphones through software updates.

Samsung looks to address the issue

In a statement given to The Verge, Samsung’s Kelly Yeo said the company plans to roll out a software update “soon” so users will have control of an app’s performance, not the company. 

“Our priority is to deliver the best mobile experience for consumers,” Yeo said in defense of the company's Game Optimizing Service. “GOS has been designed to help game apps achieve a great performance while managing device temperature effectively. GOS does not manage the performance of non-gaming apps.”

Samsung phone owners will have to be patient, though. The company did not offer a timeline as to when the update will be available.