The Galaxy S25 Ultra is just around the corner. Based on multiple leaks, the Galaxy S25 line is expected to officially launch on January 22. As the big day approaches, more reports are popping up online. Folks at Android Authority have reviewed the leaked files of the alleged Galaxy S25 Ultra and revealed some interesting tidbits. While there’s a lot to be excited about, there’s also one disappointing piece of news that could be a letdown.
Galaxy S25 Ultra will likely lack the support for Find My Device when it’s turned off
iPhone 11 and later models can be easily tracked even when turned off, thanks to their wideband chips. However, this capability isn’t exclusive to Apple. Google’s latest Pixel 9 series offers similar functionality through one Find My Device feature, which tracks offline devices. Unfortunately, the Galaxy S25 Ultra misses out on this feature.
Android Authority spotted ro.bluetooth.finder.supported=false in the Galaxy S25 Ultra leaked code, which further supports you won’t be able to track it using Find My Device app when it’s offline. To be honest, I wasn’t expecting anything less from the upcoming Galaxy S25 Ultra, which, by all accounts, appears to be a powerhouse. At least, that’s what the leaks suggest.
How does the Find My Device’s offline device tracking work?
You might be wondering how the Find My Device’s offline tracking feature works. Essentially, it leverages nearby devices’ network signals to send the location of your device through the Find My Device network. There are two options for offline tracking: one works with network coverage in busy areas, and the other functions anywhere. According to Google’s support page, even after your device loses power, it can still be tracked for “several hours”.
However, this doesn’t change the fact that the Galaxy S25 Ultra might turn out to be all show and no substance. In fact, the leaks suggest otherwise. The same leaked codes reveal some impressive upgrades, including a peak brightness of 3,000 nits. This is significantly better than the current Galaxy S24 Ultra — and even Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro Max.