Does the new Galaxy S25 Ultra model accommodate the S Pen from the previous Galaxy S24 Ultra?
Galaxy S25 Ultra Drops Bluetooth from S Pen, Sparks Online Controversy
The latest Android flagship from Samsung, the Galaxy S25 Ultra, boasts a powerful new chip, lighter design, larger display, and new AI features. However, the device has sparked controversy among fans due to a significant change in the S Pen's functionality.
In a cost-saving measure, Samsung has removed Bluetooth from the S Pen, disabling remote features like Air Actions and Air Command that were previously available. This move affects the navigation and control of actions with gestures, a feature appreciated by many users.
The current S Pen for the Galaxy S25 Ultra is battery-less and lacks Bluetooth, making it suitable only for writing and drawing. The removal of Bluetooth functionality has resulted in a lighter stylus, which is appreciated by many users.
Rumors and reports suggest that starting from the S25 Ultra, the Bluetooth-enabled S Pen functionality is effectively discontinued by Samsung, and there are no indications of a future Bluetooth-capable S Pen for upcoming Galaxy S series models.
Samsung later debunked reports of a separate S Pen with Bluetooth functionality for the Galaxy S25 Ultra. The support page for the S25 Ultra's S Pen explicitly states that Air Actions are not available.
Despite the removal of this feature, the Galaxy S25 Ultra remains one of the best Android phones, offering a range of impressive features and capabilities. However, the messaging about the S25 Ultra's features has been unclear, leading to some confusion and disappointment among fans of the Air Actions feature.
The S24 Ultra's S Pen's basic functionality should still work with the S25 Ultra. The S24 Ultra's S Pen can be used as a remote shutter, but it's unclear if this feature matters significantly in the grand scheme of things.
The removal of Bluetooth functionality from the S Pen has sparked a significant online uproar, with many fans expressing their disappointment. While Samsung's official product pages still mention "Air Command" tools as part of the S Pen experience, these features no longer include Bluetooth-based remote controls or Air Actions.
In a blog post on Samsung Business Insights, a suggestion was made that a new version of the S Pen would bring back Bluetooth functionality. However, Samsung later debunked this suggestion.
It is worth noting that the S Pen Fold Edition for the Galaxy Z Fold series also does not have Bluetooth functionality. This indicates that the decision to remove Bluetooth from the S Pen may be a broader strategy for Samsung's product line.
In conclusion, the Galaxy S25 Ultra represents a significant leap forward in Android technology, but the removal of Bluetooth from the S Pen has caused controversy and disappointment among some fans. While the S Pen's basic functionality remains intact, the loss of the Air Actions feature has left some users feeling let down.
- The removal of Bluetooth functionality from the S Pen on the Galaxy S25 Ultra has taken away features like Air Actions and Air Command, which many users appreciated for navigation and control.
- This cost-saving measure by Samsung has made the current S Pen for the Galaxy S25 Ultra battery-less and suitable only for writing and drawing, unlike its predecessor's Bluetooth-enabled S Pen.