Samsung will apparently launch the Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Edition running the stock Android OS at Google I/O.
That's the rumour being put about over at Geek, at least, which cites "sources on hand at Google I/O." There's nothing to corroborate this claim at present, but with only a matter of hours to go until Google's keynote address at Google I/O, we shouldn't have to long to wait either way.
If true, it suggests that Samsung plans to cover all bases in its ongoing dominance of the Android market. By replacing its TouchWiz UI with plain and simple Android Jelly Bean - said to be the very latest version, 4.2.2 - Samsung would appeal to a whole bunch of pure Android fans.
The Samsung Galaxy S4 has been winning positive reviews across the board, but there is still a sizeable minority of users who dislike Samsung's heavily customised take on the Android OS with its extensive toggles and (some would say) superfluous suite of apps. We noted that the Samsung Galaxy S4's OS had been "skinned almost beyond recognition of its Android base" in our glowing review of the handset.
A Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Edition would address many of the lingering criticisms over Samsung's design choices. Potentially a very smart move indeed.
Despite the suggestion that the Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Edition will be launched at Google I/O, it's worth noting that it won't be getting the Nexus branding. This won't be a collaborative effort between Samsung and Google like the Samsung Galaxy Nexus - it will simply be a Samsung Galaxy S4 with a completely stripped back OS.
Check out our Samsung Galaxy S4 vs iPhone 5 Infographic to see which is the king of the smartphones.
