Samsung S25/ S25 Ultra

[Dave245]

What hardware would you have them focus on?

Cameras, from what the rumours are saying they are only improving the ultrawide, by bumping it up to 50mp. But what about the main camera?
Maybe a complete redesign of the camera placement.

Reduce the bezels or eliminate them entirely.

Make improvements to the display, maybe more energy efficient.

more S-Pen features.

Improve face recognition, Face ID on iPhone is a lot better.

more colour options - the rumoured ones this year are very muted. What happened to the red, purple of old.

Also not removing the Bluetooth in the s-pen, that's a down grade if it also removes air gestures.

 

[Dave245]

As I already noted the market can't handle price increases for significant hardware changes

You have already complained and said its a no buy for possible Samsung increase of ~70 UKP even though early adopters get a voucher

If you want to be surprised then equally do not be surprised with significant increase in price.

It is simply unrealistic to criticise when your wish list is not implemented for free

If anything Apple having 2-3x greater profit margin than other OEM's have the potential headroom to give it's users more value for money than currently, yet the choose not to for many reasons. So simplistically their is already an imbalance.

There is rumoured to be a price increase anyway 😬

 

[The Game 161]

So 16GB of ram is reserved for china and Korea market. Everywhere else will have 12GB of ram

S pen will have no Bluetooth features

Likely means by S pen for next year

 

[Dave245]

So 16GB of ram is reserved for china and Korea market. Everywhere else will have 12GB of ram

S pen will have no Bluetooth features

Likely means by S pen for next year

You think they will remove the S-Pen altogether? I think that would be be a BIG mistake. The Ultra model is suppose to be the Note replacement.

 

[The Game 161]

Cameras, from what the rumours are saying they are only improving the ultrawide, by bumping it up to 50mp. But what about the main camera?
Maybe a complete redesign of the camera placement.

Reduce the bezels or eliminate them entirely.

Make improvements to the display, maybe more energy efficient.

more S-Pen features.

Improve face recognition, Face ID on iPhone is a lot better.

more colour options - the rumoured ones this year are very muted. What happened to the red, purple of old.

Also not removing the Bluetooth in the s-pen, that's a down grade if it also removes air gestures.

Air gestures will be there. Will just work like any other S pen on the Z fold.

 

[The Game 161]

You think they will remove the S-Pen altogether? I think that would be be a BIG mistake. The Ultra model is suppose to be the Note replacement.

Guaranteed they will. Samsung know a limited amount use it so would save space. They can fit in more hardware by doing so

 

[Dave245]

Air gestures will be there. Will just work like any other S pen on the Z fold.

I thought bluetooth was needed for Air Gestures

 

[Dave245]

Air gestures will be there. Will just work like any other S pen on the Z fold.

That would be a BIG mistake in my opinion. The S-Pen is one of the reasons I have a Samsung phone as my second device.
I have thought about getting a Pixel 9, without an S-Pen that would make my decision a lot easier. I wouldn't stick with Samsung without the S-Pen and its features. I think it would also upset a lot of Note users.

 

[The Game 161]

I thought bluetooth was needed for Air Gestures

Nah you can still use air actions, smart select, smart assist which will be new on s25 ultra. Basically al assist

 

[The Game 161]

That would be a BIG mistake in my opinion. The S-Pen is one of the reasons I have a Samsung phone as my second device.
I have thought about getting a Pixel 9, without an S-Pen that would make my decision a lot easier. I wouldn't stick with Samsung without the S-Pen and its features. I think it would also upset a lot of Note users.

Chances are you will always be able to use the S pen just not be in the device. I believe Samsung are going this route as they have had polls where a small amount use it. Time will tell

 

[Dave245]

Chances are you will always be able to use the S pen just not be in the device. I believe Samsung are going this route as they have had polls where a small amount use it. Time will tell

Yea but people like the S-pen built into the phone. Most people, myself included do not want to carry a separate pen about.

IF this ends up being true, Pixel will definitely be calling my name.

 

[Dave245]

Nah you can still use air actions, smart select, smart assist which will be new on s25 ultra. Basically al assist

That would be good news to be fair. Let's see what Wednesday brings.

 

[Ludatyk]

Air gestures will be there. Will just work like any other S pen on the Z fold.

You can use Air Gestures on the Z Fold, but you need a S Pen Pro in order to do it… which has Bluetooth support.

S Pen Fold Edition vs. S Pen Pro: What's the difference?

Which S Pen is the best for you?

www.androidpolice.com

I thought bluetooth was needed for Air Gestures

Yes, Bluetooth is required for Air Gestures.

That would be a BIG mistake in my opinion. The S-Pen is one of the reasons I have a Samsung phone as my second device.
I have thought about getting a Pixel 9, without an S-Pen that would make my decision a lot easier. I wouldn't stick with Samsung without the S-Pen and its features. I think it would also upset a lot of Note users.

I highly doubt Samsung will remove the S-Pen from the Ultra line… but rumors are claiming they are making an Apple Pencil-like device. It’s been reported that’s it’s for the Fold line (to remove the digitizer layer in an effort to make it thinner), maybe this the direction Samsung take with the Ultra.

 

[Dave245]

With Samsungs event now only 2 days away, what is everyone looking forward to seeing the most? Do you think there will be any curveballs? unveiling of the rumoured Trifold? Galaxy Ring 2?

 

[jamezr]

Cameras, from what the rumours are saying they are only improving the ultrawide, by bumping it up to 50mp. But what about the main camera?
Maybe a complete redesign of the camera placement.

Reduce the bezels or eliminate them entirely.

Make improvements to the display, maybe more energy efficient.

more S-Pen features.

Improve face recognition, Face ID on iPhone is a lot better.

more colour options - the rumoured ones this year are very muted. What happened to the red, purple of old.

Also not removing the Bluetooth in the s-pen, that's a down grade if it also removes air gestures.

I don't see them making the below. Then what other phone maker is doing this? Apple isn't doing this.... Google isn't doing this. it didn't stop you from buying the iPhone 15.
If a camera re-design is a requirement for you...then you won't be buying a phone for a while....

"Maybe a complete redesign of the camera placement."

"Also not removing the Bluetooth in the s-pen, that's a down grade if it also removes air gestures."
Air gestures are still there for the S-Pen just like other phones Samsung makes like the foldables. They still have air gestures.

These below are incremental feature improvements that every phone maker does every year/
"Reduce the bezels or eliminate them entirely
Make improvements to the display, maybe more energy efficient
Camera improvements"

This is a personal taste thing for everyone....for all phone makers. It is purely cosmetic and frankly kinda unimportant IMHO. All phone makers have the basic colors.
"more colour options - the rumoured ones this year are very muted. What happened to the red, purple of old."


I totally agree with you on Face ID!
"Improve face recognition, Face ID on iPhone is a lot better."

 

[Dave245]

I don't see them making the below. Then what other phone maker is doing this? Apple isn't doing this.... Google isn't doing this. it didn't stop you from buying the iPhone 15.
If a camera re-design is a requirement for you...then you won't be buying a phone for a while....

"Maybe a complete redesign of the camera placement."

"Also not removing the Bluetooth in the s-pen, that's a down grade if it also removes air gestures."
Air gestures are still there for the S-Pen just like other phones Samsung makes like the foldables. They still have air gestures.

These below are incremental feature improvements that every phone maker does every year/
"Reduce the bezels or eliminate them entirely
Make improvements to the display, maybe more energy efficient
Camera improvements"

This is a personal taste thing for everyone....for all phone makers. It is purely cosmetic and frankly kinda unimportant IMHO. All phone makers have the basic colors.
"more colour options - the rumoured ones this year are very muted. What happened to the red, purple of old."


I totally agree with you on Face ID!
"Improve face recognition, Face ID on iPhone is a lot better."

Each to their own, but from what I’ve heard about Samsungs S25 Ultra, I’m not impressed enough to upgrade. In fact I’m thinking of trading in my S24 Ultra when the Pixel 10 drops.

As for upgrading my iPhone, i didn’t get the iPhone 16 Pro Max, but with rumours of a new design for the Pro lineup at least, i may upgrade to the 17 Pro Max IF it turns out to be true. The iPhone is my main phone with the S24 Ultra as my second device, if it wasn’t for the S-pen I probably wouldn’t even have it in the first place.

 

[jamezr]

Each to their own, but from what I’ve heard about Samsungs S25 Ultra, I’m not impressed enough to upgrade. In fact I’m thinking of trading in my S24 Ultra when the Pixel 10 drops.

As for upgrading my iPhone, i didn’t get the iPhone 16 Pro Max, but with rumours of a new design for the Pro lineup at least, i may upgrade to the 17 Pro Max IF it turns out to be true. The iPhone is my main phone with the S24 Ultra as my second device, if it wasn’t for the S-pen I probably wouldn’t even have it in the first place.

There were rumors that the 16 was going to get a re-design and that proved to be false too.
Personally I don't see Apple doing a camera re-design for the 17 models. The back of the iPhone 17 will look just like the iPhones from the last few years. Apple is known to play it safe as they have a very large fan base and making too many changes will upset that fan base.

Then the Pixel 10 will have the same camera layout from the last few years as well.....no re-design will happen there. Only the chips inside will change.....

 

[Dave245]

There were rumors that the 16 was going to get a re-design and that proved to be false too.
Personally I don't see Apple doing a camera re-design for the 17 models. The back of the iPhone 17 will look just like the iPhones from the last few years. Apple is known to play it safe as they have a very large fan base and making too many changes will upset that fan base.

Then the Pixel 10 will have the same camera layout from the last few years as well.....no re-design will happen there. Only the chips inside will change.....

Time will tell, if the iPhone 17 Pro line up is the same as the 16 then I won’t upgrade.

As for the Pixel the only reason I’m waiting is because we have Samsungs event is on Wednesday and I want to see it for myself (it’s never over until the fat lady sings). I would get the Pixel 9 Pro XL and trade in my S24 Ultra, but we are only months away from the Pixel 10 and it’s rumoured to be moving away from Samsung with the Tensor 5 chip, making it a bigger upgrade chip wise.

I’m willing to wait and see what happens Wednesday, after that I will decide what I do with my S24 Ultra.

 

[jamezr]

Time will tell, if the iPhone 17 Pro line up is the same as the 16 then I won’t upgrade.

As for the Pixel the only reason I’m waiting is because we have Samsungs event is on Wednesday and I want to see it for myself (it’s never over until the fat lady sings). I would get the Pixel 9 Pro XL and trade in my S24 Ultra, but we are only months away from the Pixel 10 and it’s rumoured to be moving away from Samsung with the Tensor 5 chip, making it a bigger upgrade chip wise.

I’m willing to wait and see what happens Wednesday, after that I will decide what I do with my S24 Ultra.

But you know as much as you said you like the S-pen and it is a requirement for Samsung....the Pixel or the iPhone do not have an pen....

 

[Dave245]

But you know as much as you said you like the S-pen and it is a requirement for Samsung....the Pixel or the iPhone do not have a pen....

Yea I know but Samsung made it a feature with the Note, the iPhone has never had one so I offload that with my iPad Pro and Apple Pencil. As for the Pixel, It’s a different device.

 

[SteveJUAE]

There is rumoured to be a price increase anyway 😬

Already noted in my previous reply

 

[Dave245]

Already noted in my previous reply

So if they are increasing the price, why not increase the features. It's each to their own, like I've said, we will see on Wednesday. Maybe the AI features will impress. Time will tell.

 

[SteveJUAE]

There were rumors that the 16 was going to get a re-design and that proved to be false too.
Personally I don't see Apple doing a camera re-design for the 17 models. The back of the iPhone 17 will look just like the iPhones from the last few years. Apple is known to play it safe as they have a very large fan base and making too many changes will upset that fan base.

Then the Pixel 10 will have the same camera layout from the last few years as well.....no re-design will happen there. Only the chips inside will change.....

Dave already noted he disliked the camera layout on his pixel 8 pro so not sure how he's going to avoid that on the Pixel 9 and probably 10

 

[SteveJUAE]

So if they are increasing the price, why not increase the features. It's each to their own, like I've said, we will see on Wednesday. Maybe the AI features will impress. Time will tell.

You have heard of that thing called inflation LOL and you have smaller bezels (on your list), you have an improved sensor (on your list) and a new chip

 

[Dave245]

You have heard of that thing called inflation LOL

Yes and with them making cut backs, like the removal of bluetooth for the S-pen and being able to negotiate, they could keep the price the same.