It’s official: The Galaxy S25 Ultra’s S Pen has fewer features than last year – Android Police

The Samsung Galaxy S25 series is finally here, bringing a trio of familiar flagships with upgraded hardware and a heavy focus on AI features. As with previous generations, the Galaxy S25 Ultra remains the only model in the lineup to feature an S Pen. However, if you’re planning to upgrade to the latest Samsung flagship to take full advantage of the S Pen, you should know that the company has slightly downgraded its functionality this time around.One UI 7 is at the center of this year’s launchUntil now, previous generation Samsung flagships like the Galaxy S24 Ultra used a special low-frequency Bluetooth connection to pair the S Pen with the phone. This enabled features like Air Actions, which let users control various functions such as opening apps, navigating through photos, and even using the S Pen as a remote camera shutter for hands-free photography and video recording.However, as rumored earlier, the Galaxy S25 Ultra has ditched Bluetooth connectivity for the S Pen, meaning these features are no longer available on the new flagship.Samsung explains that the decision to remove Bluetooth from the S Pen was driven mainly by low user engagement. According to the company, many users aren’t actively using these features, and similar functionalities — such as remote camera control — are now available through other Samsung devices, like the Galaxy Watch and the Galaxy Ring.Official statement from Samsung:Bluetooth Low Energy is not supported on the Galaxy S25 Ultra as Samsung found that S Pen usage for BLE-enabled features was very low. In addition, Galaxy users are utilizing gesture controls on the Galaxy Ring and Galaxy Watch for hands-free photo capture instead.On the bright side, the lack of Bluetooth does come with a few benefits. With fewer components inside, the S Pen no longer requires a battery, making it lighter and simpler. This also contributes to the overall weight reduction of the Galaxy S25 Ultra, which is 15 grams lighter than its predecessor.Still, this change feels like a step backward. The S Pen has been an integral part of Samsung’s Ultra flagship experience — not just from the Galaxy S21 Ultra, but going all the way back to the Note series. Sure, you’ll still be able to use it for note-taking and drawing, but the features that truly set the S Pen apart are now gone.Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra leaves the Note-like design behind for the very first time. With flat edges, curved corners, and a massive 6.9-inch display, this is a modern flagship through and through. And yes, the S Pen is still here — though it has seen a slight downgrade this time around.We want to hear from you! Share your opinions in the thread below and remember to keep it respectful.Your comment has not been savedAs an S23 Ultra user the downgraded S Pen means I won’t be upgrading.Thank you android police for posting articles with so much depth! Appreciate all the hardwork!!I hope the bluetooth version can be bought separately and used in the new one’s placeNope. The PHONE won’t support it.This is truly disappointing. I am on the verge of ordering the S25 Ultra for its enhanced photography (I take over 20K photos a year) and always use the S-Pen to trigger/take the photo and gestures to zoom in/out. I put my S23 Ultra on a tripod/mounting device and can’t touch the phone to take the photos I want. I did get a Galaxy Ring and have configured it to take photos by tapping my ring finger. However, it is constantly taking garbage photos without my knowledge/accidentally and of course it can’t do gestures. I won’t even consider using my Galaxy Watch to take a photo. That would require 3-hands to perform.Penny pinching by Samsung.. the camera release was brilliant, won’t be upgrading now.This is do disappointing, I can see why they say that many users aren’t using the features, but when we do use them, they are brilliant and set the Note/Ultra series apart from everything else. Now there are less reasons to choose Samsung and more reasons to look elsewhere. And I will not buy a smart watch with disgraceful battery life to have as a shutter button, when I already have a fitness band that does a better job of almost everything else.The Note/Ultra series was once the ‘everything’ phone, it’s sad to see that being diluted again. I fear the S Pen will be gone soon, and they’ll blame customers not using it, but removing the Bluetooth functionality is part of the reason that will happen.The remote camera shutter was literally the only thing i used my S pen for, and i use it for that constantly. I just had my s22 ultra refurbished (new screen battery usb sub board) so looks like I’m not going to upgrade anytime soon. The specs on this phone are way to similar to my old 2019 note 10 plus> The specs on this phone are way to similar to my old 2019 note 10 plusDon’t use hyperbole, it entirely dilutes your statement and makes it a joke. If one feature a sub section of a sub section used is what holds you back from upgrading, you must have had a heart attack when the headphone jack and SD card was removed. Not likely since the s25 doesn’t even support Bluetooth Low Energy that the spens used for connection, according to this article. Such a shame as you stated should had given the option, I get a s24 or wait “nothing to see here” as far as I’m concerned with s25.That’s not what the article says. BT 5.2 supports LE by default, it’s only the pen that doesn’t. I’m sure all five people that cared about this are going to ruin Samsung. The brand really wants Exynos to be a thingSamsung’s new Galaxy S25 line has arrivedIt is only available in select Asian marketsBut only for six monthsProductivity on Android done rightOTAs now install automatically in the background

Source: https://www.androidpolice.com/samsung-galaxy-s25-ultra-s-pen-stripped-down-features/