Samsung S25/ S25 Ultra

[mjschabow]

Guys... Tell me how you manage this without going insane 🤣 I am genuinely curious, in particular about juggling the sim cards (multiple esims for the same line?), whatsapp (companion mode with multiple linked devices?) and contacts (especially when switching between Android and the iOS - Google Contacts?).

I switched to Android for smartphones a few years ago but still have the iPad and the MacBook, so I figured already multiple cross-platform alternatives, but juggling various smartphones is still an uncharted territory for me!

I hear you. I don't think I could do it, though I am considering getting a cheaper regular iPhone, like maybe the 15. Only because I'm currently having an Apple withdrawal moment, but I love my Z Fold 7 so much that I would never want to part way is with this. But might be nice to just have an iPhone to occasionally grab play around with and then put back in the drawer. I used to have a work iPhone for that, but my company merged and we had to send them all back.

 

[edubfromktown]

Guys... Tell me how you manage this without going insane I am genuinely curious, in particular about juggling the sim cards (multiple esims for the same line?), whatsapp (companion mode with multiple linked devices?) and contacts (especially when switching between Android and the iOS - Google Contacts?).

I switched to Android for smartphones a few years ago but still have the iPad and the MacBook, so I figured already multiple cross-platform alternatives, but juggling various smartphones is still an uncharted territory for me!

One mobile phone at a time for me... happy with S25U acquisition back in January.

I keep one iPad around for FB browsing 1-2x/month and viewing more detailed Eero version upgrade info than is displayed on their Android app.

I use a Chromebook as my daily driver computer and also Pro M3 14" MBP and M1 Max Studio for heavier lifting and ON1 photo stuff.

 

[M5RahuL]

Guys... Tell me how you manage this without going insane 🤣 I am genuinely curious, in particular about juggling the sim cards (multiple esims for the same line?), whatsapp (companion mode with multiple linked devices?) and contacts (especially when switching between Android and the iOS - Google Contacts?).

I switched to Android for smartphones a few years ago but still have the iPad and the MacBook, so I figured already multiple cross-platform alternatives, but juggling various smartphones is still an uncharted territory for me!

lol.. So I have 2 free ( unlimited voice/data ) lines from my carrier, apart from the 1 paid line ( total of 3 )

The primary sim ( or esim ) stays in the iPhone. Always.

One free sim lives in the iPad (data), and the other rotates between various Android devices ( all set up identical ).

WhatsApp on the iPhone only, contacts are managed with Google across all devices including iOS.

 

[_karrol]

I hear you. I don't think I could do it, though I am considering getting a cheaper regular iPhone, like maybe the 15. Only because I'm currently having an Apple withdrawal moment, but I love my Z Fold 7 so much that I would never want to part way is with this. But might be nice to just have an iPhone to occasionally grab play around with and then put back in the drawer. I used to have a work iPhone for that, but my company merged and we had to send them all back.

I feel you so much on every single thing here!

I never really had a moment when I was on the verge of switching back, even when I had a Pixel 7 Pro which I ended up hating 🤣 but all the Samsungs were lovely and my current S25U is the peak slab-style smartphone for me + I am already invested a bit in Samsung's ecosystem with the Watch and multiple tags. Having said that, I think the 16 Pro is a very classy little phone (contrary to the 17 Pro) and I would be just curious to switch from time to time. I only have the 13 as my work phone but this feels already long in the tooth and really basic in comparison.

Feels almost like debating an open relationship lol

One mobile phone at a time for me... happy with S25U acquisition back in January.

I keep one iPad around for FB browsing 1-2x/month and viewing more detailed Eero version upgrade info than is displayed on their Android app.

I use a Chromebook as my daily driver computer and also Pro M3 14" MBP and M1 Max Studio for heavier lifting and ON1 photo stuff.

Well then, you already have more devices than I do lol! I use a bit more of my 2018 iPP than you but regarding the computers my usage is just too basic and my 2021 MBP M1 Pro too strong to even think of any upgrade in the next few years.

lol.. So I have 2 free ( unlimited voice/data ) lines from my carrier, apart from the 1 paid line ( total of 3 )

The primary sim ( or esim ) stays in the iPhone. Always.

One free sim lives in the iPad (data), and the other rotates between various Android devices ( all set up identical ).

WhatsApp on the iPhone only, contacts are managed with Google across all devices including iOS.

Okay, makes sense if you have three lines in total. I just realised that my carrier in Austria apparently offers a clone of the SIM card for one line, so this would somehow get me covered.

 

[MaskedCarrot]

I have been happy with my S25U since I got it in March, and to the suprise of everyone, I have no desire to go back to an iPhone as my daily driver.

However, I am really getting to the point that I really can't handle the issue with delayed notifications on Android anymore. I have done a ton of reading and research on it, and it's not just Samung, it's an Android thing.

Considering that there are a ton of various androids out there compared to iPhones, I am suprised it isn't being talked about more. I think maybe because most of the common apps people use don't really have a delay, such as WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, and stuff like that, so if people get in notifcations late, they most likely don't notice. I still have an iPhone 16 PM I just use on WiFi at home so I don't burn the battery too quick on my Samsung, and stuff comes in there immediately. So unless you have both in the same room, you won't realize how delayed a lot of notifications are.

An example. I had a bunch of notifications come in on my iPhone while I was working, and my Samsung was sitting idle on the other table. Maybe 45 minutes later I got a text message, and when I unlocked the phone I had like 8 notifications come right up which I had already gotten on my iPhone almost an hour ago. The next day the same thing happened again.

I have been dealing with this since I got the phone, but it's getting to the point of really getting too annoying. Although. I do not want to go back to an iPhone, I may have to.

 

[throwthedice]

I love my S25U - but I find myself always feeling that the photos from the regular camera at 50M or 200M with either JPEG or HEIC formats are ever so slightly out of focus or blurred.
Is there any page or info on the ideal settings for getting the best out of the camera in a day to day point and shoot scenario?

 

[mjschabow]

I have been happy with my S25U since I got it in March, and to the suprise of everyone, I have no desire to go back to an iPhone as my daily driver.

However, I am really getting to the point that I really can't handle the issue with delayed notifications on Android anymore. I have done a ton of reading and research on it, and it's not just Samung, it's an Android thing.

Considering that there are a ton of various androids out there compared to iPhones, I am suprised it isn't being talked about more. I think maybe because most of the common apps people use don't really have a delay, such as WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, and stuff like that, so if people get in notifcations late, they most likely don't notice. I still have an iPhone 16 PM I just use on WiFi at home so I don't burn the battery too quick on my Samsung, and stuff comes in there immediately. So unless you have both in the same room, you won't realize how delayed a lot of notifications are.

An example. I had a bunch of notifications come in on my iPhone while I was working, and my Samsung was sitting idle on the other table. Maybe 45 minutes later I got a text message, and when I unlocked the phone I had like 8 notifications come right up which I had already gotten on my iPhone almost an hour ago. The next day the same thing happened again.

I have been dealing with this since I got the phone, but it's getting to the point of really getting too annoying. Although. I do not want to go back to an iPhone, I may have to.

I actually don't really notice this either but I think part of that is because I don't really let my phone sleep that much and generally have notifications turned off on most apps as I have a mode set up to only allow like 8 apps to notify me, lol.

 

[Bkdodger]

I think that's the key right there because I don't let my phone really sleep too long but I do notice on Android in general if you let it sleep then you will get a lot of delayed notifications. I'm mostly around my phone and my notifications come through on my Samsung foldable and my OnePlus phone either at the same time sometimes earlier than my iPhone sometimes a little bit after my iPhone.

 

[ToddH]

I love my S25U - but I find myself always feeling that the photos from the regular camera at 50M or 200M with either JPEG or HEIC formats are ever so slightly out of focus or blurred.
Is there any page or info on the ideal settings for getting the best out of the camera in a day to day point and shoot scenario?

I have the S25 ultra also and I take a lot of photos with it. I actually have two S25 Ultra phones & amazingly they are both consistently on parr with each other. Cameras, display, audio, etc are the same.

As for your questions, when using your camera, do you touch the screen where you want the camera to focus or just aim and shoot? The cameras on the S25 Ultra are AF-C, which means continuous auto focus & because of this, the camera will automatically focus on the closest subject to you. I'm sure you probably know this, but just in case you didn't, that's what AF-C does. I always touch the screen to focus where I want the camera to focus. I will get motion blur at times due to the shutter speed working too low. But in JPEG or HEIC mode, shutter speed and ISO can't be changed. Pro mode or Expert raw are the two places to change that.

Sometimes I use a tripod because I use Expert Raw most of the time & I set the ISO to its lowest for cleaner images in low light. I use the 200mp resolution (Fantastic camera!!) A majority of the time & switch to 50mp when using the 5x or .6x cameras.

So tell me what subjects you are taking photos of that appear blurry & out of focus. What time of day, is the scene usually dark or well lit? Action (sports or trying to get the camera ready too quickly) or landscape / portrats? I know a lot about photography so hopefully i can help you. I can recommend some settings as well, just need to get an idea of what you like to capture.

 

[SteveJUAE]

I think that's the key right there because I don't let my phone really sleep too long but I do notice on Android in general if you let it sleep then you will get a lot of delayed notifications. I'm mostly around my phone and my notifications come through on my Samsung foldable and my OnePlus phone either at the same time sometimes earlier than my iPhone sometimes a little bit after my iPhone.

Exactly you and #mjschabow seen the same thing as I most people are not leaving their phones dormant or idle for hours

The one that gets me is my icloud emails come through faster on my Fold than my Iphone 16P at times LOL

 

[mjschabow]

I have been happy with my S25U since I got it in March, and to the suprise of everyone, I have no desire to go back to an iPhone as my daily driver.

However, I am really getting to the point that I really can't handle the issue with delayed notifications on Android anymore. I have done a ton of reading and research on it, and it's not just Samung, it's an Android thing.

Considering that there are a ton of various androids out there compared to iPhones, I am suprised it isn't being talked about more. I think maybe because most of the common apps people use don't really have a delay, such as WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, and stuff like that, so if people get in notifcations late, they most likely don't notice. I still have an iPhone 16 PM I just use on WiFi at home so I don't burn the battery too quick on my Samsung, and stuff comes in there immediately. So unless you have both in the same room, you won't realize how delayed a lot of notifications are.

An example. I had a bunch of notifications come in on my iPhone while I was working, and my Samsung was sitting idle on the other table. Maybe 45 minutes later I got a text message, and when I unlocked the phone I had like 8 notifications come right up which I had already gotten on my iPhone almost an hour ago. The next day the same thing happened again.

I have been dealing with this since I got the phone, but it's getting to the point of really getting too annoying. Although. I do not want to go back to an iPhone, I may have to.

This may help

One UI 8.5 May Let You Prioritize Notifications So You Don't Miss Them

One UI 8.5 may bring a new prioritized notifications feature. This should let you prioritize certain notifications so you don't miss them.

www.androidheadlines.com

 

[The Game 161]

Tempted to pickup an s25 ultra to hold me over again until march

 

[edubfromktown]

I have been happy with my S25U since I got it in March, and to the suprise of everyone, I have no desire to go back to an iPhone as my daily driver.

However, I am really getting to the point that I really can't handle the issue with delayed notifications on Android anymore. I have done a ton of reading and research on it, and it's not just Samung, it's an Android thing.

Considering that there are a ton of various androids out there compared to iPhones, I am suprised it isn't being talked about more. I think maybe because most of the common apps people use don't really have a delay, such as WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, and stuff like that, so if people get in notifcations late, they most likely don't notice. I still have an iPhone 16 PM I just use on WiFi at home so I don't burn the battery too quick on my Samsung, and stuff comes in there immediately. So unless you have both in the same room, you won't realize how delayed a lot of notifications are.

An example. I had a bunch of notifications come in on my iPhone while I was working, and my Samsung was sitting idle on the other table. Maybe 45 minutes later I got a text message, and when I unlocked the phone I had like 8 notifications come right up which I had already gotten on my iPhone almost an hour ago. The next day the same thing happened again.

I have been dealing with this since I got the phone, but it's getting to the point of really getting too annoying. Although. I do not want to go back to an iPhone, I may have to.

My wife uses Verizon on USMobile with her iPhone and I use T-Mobile on USMobile with my S25u. In the group messages we are on, my (Google Messages) notifications frequently arrive faster than hers and otherwise, generally around the same time even when my phone is idle. (I do not use any Android or Samsung-specific power saving features).

You might want to check with your mobile carrier regarding delayed text notifications on Android. It may be a configuration setting issue on their end. That was the case for me when I evaluated a Pixel 8 Pro side by side with S23+ few years ago.

 

[The Game 161]

just bought a s25 ultra for £650. will hold me over until see what the s26 ultra brings

 

[MaskedCarrot]

You might want to check with your mobile carrier regarding delayed text notifications on Android. It may be a configuration setting issue on their end. That was the case for me when I evaluated a Pixel 8 Pro side by side with S23+ few years ago.

I am not talked about text notifications, I am referring to push notifications in general. It wouldn't be a carrier causing delays in push notifications. If you searth it online, there are tons of articles and threads on Reddit and Samsung forums going back years. So this is definately an Android core OS issue. A lot of people blame it on something called Deep Doze, which Google implimented a long time ago for ways to save battery life.

But I ended up caving in and got a 17 PM yesterday. Those things are sold out everywhere still. I was able to find one at at Apple store 1 1/2 hour drive away, otherwise the ship times are middle of November. I traded in my 16 PM and got a really good trade-in deal.

 

[edubfromktown]

I am not talked about text notifications, I am referring to push notifications in general. It wouldn't be a carrier causing delays in push notifications. If you searth it online, there are tons of articles and threads on Reddit and Samsung forums going back years. So this is definately an Android core OS issue. A lot of people blame it on something called Deep Doze, which Google implimented a long time ago for ways to save battery life.

But I ended up caving in and got a 17 PM yesterday. Those things are sold out everywhere still. I was able to find one at at Apple store 1 1/2 hour drive away, otherwise the ship times are middle of November. I traded in my 16 PM and got a really good trade-in deal.

Got it- sorry about missing the memo.

After a 40+ year IT career, I do not want to subject myself to push notifications of any sort

I'm interested to know what you think of the 17 PM compared to the 16 PM. My wife currently has a 256 GB 14 Pro. The camera/app are so far away from the quality of my S25u that I want to get her something more "respectable".

Some have said that the 16 PM is still a better option than the latest and greatest Apple offering.

 

[bushman4]

No game changer or Shocker

 

[hockeyfan81]

Got the October security patch today.

 

[MaskedCarrot]

Got it- sorry about missing the memo.

After a 40+ year IT career, I do not want to subject myself to push notifications of any sort

I'm interested to know what you think of the 17 PM compared to the 16 PM. My wife currently has a 256 GB 14 Pro. The camera/app are so far away from the quality of my S25u that I want to get her something more "respectable".

Some have said that the 16 PM is still a better option than the latest and greatest Apple offering.

To be honest, I barely notice any difference in the hardware from the past 3 or 4 years. I am just the odd type of person who has to have the latest version of things.

I do like iOS 26 though, I love the clear affect thing, whatever it is called. I am suprised it is getting so much complaining from people. I think it looks really nice. And the animations are nice this year also.

 

[Sensamic]

Regarding delayed notifications on Android, I haven't experienced this lately. I did some years ago and, indeed, it was annoying.

I have an iPad Pro 11 M4 and the regular S25 side by side, and some times the S25 gets push notifications before the iPad and sometimes the other way around.

I'm kind of disappointed of the once again delayed updates with Samsung. OneUI 8.5 should have arrived in January with the S26 lineup, but rumors suggest the phones won't be announced until March due to the revival of the S26+, so I guess we will have to wait until April/May for the update to arrive to the S25 series.

I really want that new lockscreen with the blur effects on clock and date. Looks awesome.

 

[yui4]

I'm still really happy with this phone. Looking forward to see the s26 series though as no doubt I'll be trading this in for the s26 U

 

[ToddH]

I've had the S25 Ultra now for a couple of months since leaving the iphone. I switched because of the cameras, mainly Expert Raw. All other aspects of the phone are great as well. Moving to android is a nice change over iOS. I'm interested in seeing if the cameras have significantly changed for me to upgrade. Rumors say f/1.4 for the main 200mp camera, f/2.9 for the 5x. If so, that's enough improvement to upgrade. I guess we will find out soon...