For as long as I can remember (and if my memory serves me right), Samsung’s three-button navigation has been a subtle badge of identity. Back on the right, Recents on the left, Home in the middle.
This layout has been a Galaxy staple for over a decade, dating back to when physical buttons ruled the bottom bezel. It’s also what makes switching to a Pixel or any other stock Android device feel oddly awkward.
Google flirts with Samsung’s navigation buttons as Samsung flirts with gestures
With the upcoming One UI 8.5, Samsung is giving that choice more visibility. During first-time setup, a clear screen will ask whether users want to use buttons or swipe gestures. Check out the screenshot below:
To be fair, this isn’t a new feature. But this is the first time Samsung has placed the decision front and center. For a company that still ships most phones with buttons enabled by default, it’s a subtle nudge toward the gesture future without sacrificing the comfort of the traditional layout.
At the same time, Google is quietly experimenting with something that appears to acknowledge Samsung-style navigation buttons (via Android Authority). In the latest Android Canary build for Pixel phones, inactive code can flip the order of the Back and Recents buttons. When enabled, it mirrors the Galaxy layout exactly. Though the toggle is not yet publicly available, the feature is functional in testing.
The fact that both changes surfaced in the same week is notable. Samsung is making gestures easier to access, while Google is making buttons more customizable. Whether coordinated or not, these developments could ease the transition for users moving between the two brands.