Samsung's upcoming smartphones to feature unlocked FM chips

Just months after the FCC badgered Apple to do it; Samsung has finally decided to unlock the FM chip on its upcoming smartphone models. The company has announced that users will be able to access local FM radio through apps such as NextRadio that connects smartphones to nearby radio stations.

Although, there are several apps that connect the smartphone to nearby radio stations such as iHeartRadio and Pandora, connecting directly to the radio will consume less data and save phones battery.

"Samsung should be lauded for taking this important step," said NextRadio President Paul Brenner in a statement. "They are providing their customers a more engaging, immersive radio experience and, as importantly, a means to connect with life-saving information in emergencies."

Several smartphones, including all iPhone models before the iPhone 7, come with hardware capable of receiving FM radio signals, but this hardware is usually deactivated.

Samsung joins the bandwagon of companies such as LG, Motorola, and Alcatel that have already activated the FM chips on their smartphones. Apple, however, has declined to do so, saying the latest generation iPhones do not have the FM radio chips.