The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, a highly anticipated smartphone, boasts impressive features. However, one aspect falls short compared to its predecessor, the Galaxy S24 Ultra: the S Pen. Surprisingly, this downgrade doesn’t translate to a lower price for replacements.
S-Pen for the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
Key Differences Between the S25 and S24 Ultra S Pens
The most significant change is the removal of Bluetooth functionality from the S25 Ultra’s S Pen. This means features like Air Actions and the remote camera shutter are gone. Samsung justified this decision by claiming these features weren’t widely used. The change also results in a lighter S Pen that doesn’t require charging.
Core S Pen Functionality Remains
Despite losing Bluetooth, the S25 Ultra’s S Pen retains its core functions. Note-taking, sketching, and precise on-screen control are still available. The Air Command menu, including the Circle to Search feature for quick image and information searches, also remains.
S24 Ultra S Pen Compatibility
The S24 Ultra’s S Pen is compatible with the S25 Ultra for basic writing and drawing. However, its Bluetooth features will not function on the newer device.
S Pen Replacement Costs
Despite offering fewer features, the S25 Ultra’s replacement S Pen costs the same as its predecessor: $49.99, as reported by Android Authority.
Impact on User Experience
While the absence of Bluetooth might disappoint some, it likely won’t significantly impact most users. Our reviewer found the loss of the remote shutter function noticeable, but admitted to rarely using it. The S25 Ultra’s S Pen still delivers a precise and responsive writing experience for daily tasks.
Galaxy S25 Ultra Availability
The Galaxy S25 Ultra, along with the Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus, launches on Friday, February 7th. Pre-orders are currently available.
