Why Removing Bluetooth from the S Pen in Galaxy S25 Ultra is a Disservice to Loyal Users
In the ever-evolving world of smartphones, manufacturers constantly walk a fine line between innovation and cost-cutting. However, when these decisions come at the expense of long-standing, highly valued features, the fallout can be disappointing — even alienating — for the most loyal customers. Samsung’s decision to remove Bluetooth functionality from the S Pen in the Galaxy S25 Ultra is one such misstep.
The Legacy of the S Pen: More Than Just a Stylus
Since the inception of the Galaxy Note series, the S Pen has been more than a writing tool — it has been a defining feature of Samsung’s flagship line. It offered precision input, creative control, and — with the introduction of Bluetooth functionality in the Note 9 — a new level of remote interaction. From clicking photos remotely to controlling media, presentations, and apps, the Bluetooth-enabled S Pen became an integral tool for power users, professionals, and creative minds alike.
Removing that feature is not a simple subtraction. It’s a disruption of workflow for many.
The Impact on Users: From Empowered to Frustrated
Loss of Remote Productivity
For users who frequently use their S Pen to control presentations or trigger camera shutters during solo photography sessions, this removal feels like a step backward.
Air Actions — once a proud marketing highlight — are now completely absent. Users now have to resort to manual interaction or third-party workarounds.
Creatives and Professionals Feel Left Behind
Artists and designers using the S Pen for its pressure sensitivity still benefit, yes. But professionals who relied on the remote control functionalities in meetings, lectures, or performances now face unnecessary friction.
Inconsistency in User Experience
The S Pen Pro (sold separately) still offers Bluetooth — but expecting users to pay extra for something that was previously built-in is not only frustrating but feels like a form of hidden devaluation.
It also fragments the experience. Why should one have to carry a separate, larger S Pen to get back what was standard?
Samsung’s Justification Falls Short
Samsung cites battery efficiency, slimming down the S Pen, and cost management as reasons. But these reasons lack weight when viewed from the perspective of flagship buyers who are already paying a premium price for a top-tier device.
Battery optimization: How significant is the S Pen’s tiny battery in the grand scheme of a phone with 5000mAh+?
Sleeker design: Has design become more important than functionality?
Cost-cutting: At what cost to the user experience?
In truth, these justifications seem more like internal compromises than user-focused improvements.
A Blow to Brand Loyalty
One of Samsung’s greatest strengths has been its community of long-term users — especially those who stuck with the Note line, even after its integration into the Ultra series. These users are now questioning whether their needs are being heard.
This move communicates that innovation now means omission, and the “Ultra” name doesn’t guarantee “ultra-complete” features anymore.
The Way Forward
If Samsung wishes to maintain its legacy and keep its power-user base satisfied, it must:
Offer transparent reasoning behind such feature removals.
Consider giving users the option: Perhaps a “Pro” S Pen in-box for Ultra users, or at least a discounted bundle.
Most importantly, listen to user feedback — because loyal customers don’t just buy features, they invest in trust.
Conclusion:
The removal of Bluetooth from the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s S Pen may look like a small change on paper, but for users who relied on it daily, it’s a frustrating compromise. Samsung must remember that innovation doesn’t always mean taking away — sometimes, true innovation is honoring what already works beautifully.
In the ever-evolving world of smartphones, manufacturers constantly walk a fine line between innovation and cost-cutting. However, when these decisions come at the expense of long-standing, highly valued features, the fallout can be disappointing — even alienating — for the most loyal customers. Samsung’s decision to remove Bluetooth functionality from the S Pen in the Galaxy S25 Ultra is one such misstep.
The Legacy of the S Pen: More Than Just a Stylus
Since the inception of the Galaxy Note series, the S Pen has been more than a writing tool — it has been a defining feature of Samsung’s flagship line. It offered precision input, creative control, and — with the introduction of Bluetooth functionality in the Note 9 — a new level of remote interaction. From clicking photos remotely to controlling media, presentations, and apps, the Bluetooth-enabled S Pen became an integral tool for power users, professionals, and creative minds alike.
Removing that feature is not a simple subtraction. It’s a disruption of workflow for many.
The Impact on Users: From Empowered to Frustrated
Loss of Remote Productivity
For users who frequently use their S Pen to control presentations or trigger camera shutters during solo photography sessions, this removal feels like a step backward.
Air Actions — once a proud marketing highlight — are now completely absent. Users now have to resort to manual interaction or third-party workarounds.
Creatives and Professionals Feel Left Behind
Artists and designers using the S Pen for its pressure sensitivity still benefit, yes. But professionals who relied on the remote control functionalities in meetings, lectures, or performances now face unnecessary friction.
Inconsistency in User Experience
The S Pen Pro (sold separately) still offers Bluetooth — but expecting users to pay extra for something that was previously built-in is not only frustrating but feels like a form of hidden devaluation.
It also fragments the experience. Why should one have to carry a separate, larger S Pen to get back what was standard?
Samsung’s Justification Falls Short
Samsung cites battery efficiency, slimming down the S Pen, and cost management as reasons. But these reasons lack weight when viewed from the perspective of flagship buyers who are already paying a premium price for a top-tier device.
Battery optimization: How significant is the S Pen’s tiny battery in the grand scheme of a phone with 5000mAh+?
Sleeker design: Has design become more important than functionality?
Cost-cutting: At what cost to the user experience?
In truth, these justifications seem more like internal compromises than user-focused improvements.
A Blow to Brand Loyalty
One of Samsung’s greatest strengths has been its community of long-term users — especially those who stuck with the Note line, even after its integration into the Ultra series. These users are now questioning whether their needs are being heard.
This move communicates that innovation now means omission, and the “Ultra” name doesn’t guarantee “ultra-complete” features anymore.
The Way Forward
If Samsung wishes to maintain its legacy and keep its power-user base satisfied, it must:
Offer transparent reasoning behind such feature removals.
Consider giving users the option: Perhaps a “Pro” S Pen in-box for Ultra users, or at least a discounted bundle.
Most importantly, listen to user feedback — because loyal customers don’t just buy features, they invest in trust.
Conclusion:
The removal of Bluetooth from the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s S Pen may look like a small change on paper, but for users who relied on it daily, it’s a frustrating compromise. Samsung must remember that innovation doesn’t always mean taking away — sometimes, true innovation is honoring what already works beautifully.
We are horribly disappointed for this unexpected change
