Just days ahead of the official launch, rumors surrounding the Galaxy S25 Ultra suggest a significant change to one of its most iconic features — the S Pen. Samsung might remove Bluetooth functionality from the accessory that makes the Ultra flagship stand apart in the crowd. But what does this really mean to end users? Let’s delve deeper and find out.
Galaxy S25 Ultra’s S Pen might lack Bluetooth connectivity
Samsung added Bluetooth support to the S Pen with the Galaxy Note 9 launch in 2018. It enabled a completely new world of S Pen-powered gesture controls on supported devices. Called Air Actions, these gestures allow you to remotely control select apps and functions. In the stock camera app, you can use Air Actions to switch the lens, click the shutter button, zoom in or out, switch between different camera modes, and more.
These camera controls have been universally appreciated for their simplicity and reliability. However, S Pen remote gestures also work across several other apps. If you are making a presentation, you can use the accessory to remotely flip slides as you explain your presentation. There are many other ways Galaxy users can benefit from Air Actions, enabled by Bluetooth-powered S Pen.
While not always reliable, Air Actions added to your overall Galaxy experience. Unfortunately, the Galaxy S25 Ultra may lack these features. If rumors are accurate, its S Pen will lack Bluetooth connectivity. This means no more remote photo snapping or flipping slides during a presentation. This is a massive blow to users who rely on these features for productivity or convenience.
We won’t call it a dealbreaker — the Galaxy S25 Ultra remains a compelling device. However, a less capable S Pen feels like a step backward. Air Actions, while not highly useful every day, add a layer of versatility to your Galaxy flagship. Even if you don’t use a feature regularly, knowing it’s there when you need it contributes to the device’s appeal and value, and Samsung is snatching that away.
Samsung could be steering the S Pen in a different direction
If this rumor holds up, Samsung will face a lot of negative publicity. Even people who do not use a Galaxy flagship or the S Pen will attack the company for removing some useful features from its top-tier flagship, and compare it to Apple’s expanding stylus ecosystem. It surely knows this, and perhaps is prepared to tackle the forthcoming public criticism.
The best way to handle this would be to steer the S Pen in a different direction, adding fresh new features. Samsung could adopt UWB (Ultra Wideband) support and go after the Apple Pencil Pro, which offers advanced features like barrel roll gestures and superior precision for artists and designers. Samsung could refine the S Pen with enhanced precision, drawing, and writing capabilities.
Better app integration and handwriting-to-text enhancements can also add to the S Pen’s appeal. We’ll soon find out what Samsung has in the pipeline. The Galaxy S25 Ultra goes official on January 22 alongside the Galaxy S25 and S25+ — the latter two do not support the S Pen. Pre-reservations for the new flagships are now open.
