iPhone-Galaxy, Chatting and Large File Transfer Now Possible

Apple to Introduce Next-Generation Messaging Service Following Guidance from the Korea Communications Commission

Exchanging text messages between iPhones and Galaxy phones will become more convenient. Apple has decided to introduce RCS (Rich Communication Services) to iPhones starting in the second half of this year. This will allow iPhone users to send and receive high-quality photos and videos just like Galaxy phone users, and also check message read receipts.

On the 19th, the Korea Communications Commission announced that it issued administrative guidance recommending Apple to implement RCS, which replaces traditional text messaging, on iPhones to resolve user inconveniences.

Apple accepted the administrative guidance from the Commission and will enable domestic iPhone users to use RCS by the second half of this year. RCS is a next-generation messaging service that replaces existing SMS and MMS, allowing file transfers up to 300MB and offering messenger-like features such as read receipts and typing indicators. Until now, it was only available between Android devices like Samsung Galaxy phones.

The Commission has been conducting a survey since March last year on the quality degradation issues occurring when sending media files between iPhones and Android phones. Although there was no legal enforcement, it has mediated discussions between the three major telecom carriers and Apple to improve user convenience.

Lee Jin-sook, Chairperson of the Korea Communications Commission, emphasized, "We will enhance openness of mobile communication services and improve user benefits by increasing compatibility and interoperability between mobile platforms."