Samsung S25/ S25 Ultra

[SteveJUAE]

Yes and with them making cut backs, like the removal of bluetooth for the S-pen and being able to negotiate, they could keep the price the same.

So the other upgrades like CPU, Camera, screen are all freebies in your accounting books ? LOL

 

[Dave245]

Dave already noted he disliked the camera layout on his pixel 8 pro so not sure how he's going to avoid that on the Pixel 9 and probably 10 🙂

Also the design has changed, not substantially but it did change. I'd like to try something other than Samsung, I'm not glued to them. When it comes to Android I can try any one of them.

 

[Dave245]

So the other upgrades like CPU, Camera, screen are all freebies in your accounting books ? LOL

That's where the negotiating comes in, you really think that with a company like Samsung, they cant negotiate 😂 , and there are no camera upgrades apart from the ultra wide which isn't even the main camera.

Let's just wait and see what Wednesday brings, hopefully there will be surprises, I'm just not impressed as it stands. Each to their own.

 

[jamezr]

Yea I know but Samsung made it a feature with the Note, the iPhone has never had one so I offload that with my iPad Pro and Apple Pencil. As for the Pixel, It’s a different device.

Sorry but that makes no sense to me. You say the S-Pen is a requirement from Samsung because you said previously you sign documents and that is the only reason to have the S24U. But then go on to say you will get the Pixel 10 that will never have a pen or pen like features. Then you listed bland colors as negative for Samsung phones.....have you looked at the Pixel colors? Sorry but you just seem to be all over the place and complain about samsung phones while ignoring the same for other phone makers. I just don't understand.
From all of your posts here.... not sure the S25 Ultra will be for you....it doesn't fit your requirements.

 

[mjschabow]

Why is everyone trying to prove Dave wrong here? If he has his reasons for upgrading or not upgrading, let him have those opinions.

 

[Dave245]

Sorry but that makes no sense to me. You say the S-Pen is a requirement from Samsung because you said previously you sign documents and that is the only reason to have the S24U. But then go on to say you will get the Pixel 10 that will never have a pen or pen like features. Then you listed bland colors as negative for Samsung phones.....have you looked at the Pixel colors? Sorry but you just seem to be all over the place and complain about samsung phones while ignoring the same for other phone makers. I just don't understand.
From all of your posts here.... not sure the S25 Ultra will be for you....it doesn't fit your requirements.

I use it for that because it fits being my second phone, but I can just as easily use my iPad Pro with Apple Pencil to sign documents. With a Samsung phone I do like to have the S-Pen, simply because it's part of the Note series, I wouldnt buy any of the other Samsung phones, S25 or S25 plus.

As for the colours, the Pixel 9 has a porcelain which looks great, a green Hazel colour and even a Pink colour. The leaked pictures of the S25 Ultra show muted colours, or what I would call faded looking. They simply don't appeal to me, BUT who knows maybe the online exclusive colours will.

Maybe it wont be for me, that's why Wednesday will be interesting. I will either stick with my S24 Ultra, trade in and get the S25 Ultra or wait for the Pixel 10. I cant say until I see what Samsung have to offer.

 

[SteveJUAE]

That's where the negotiating comes in, you really think that with a company like Samsung, they cant negotiate 😂 , and there are no camera upgrades apart from the ultra wide which isn't even the main camera.

Let's just wait and see what Wednesday brings, hopefully there will be surprises, I'm just not impressed as it stands. Each to their own.

There is a camera upgrade, one sensor has increased from 10 to 50MP regardless how you want to word it, in addition to the other upgrades like processor and screen 🙂

Sorry your thoughts on Samsung pricing and negotiation skills is just guesswork, no OEM wants to increase prices in today's market if they can avoid it

 

[jamezr]

Why is everyone trying to prove Dave wrong here? If he has his reasons for upgrading or not upgrading, let him have those opinions.

Not trying to prove anyone wrong...just all the reasons and requirements seem to change with the wind.... he hates it one post...then he is ok with it a post later. Phone requirements change per phone maker...

 

[mjschabow]

Not trying to prove anyone wrong...just all the reasons and requirements seem to change with the wind.... he hates it one post...then he is ok with it a post later. Phone requirements change per phone maker...

I don't see it that way at all. It's someone being hopeful that Samsung comes through and being a bit undecisive, which is common when weighing buying decisions. It seems like you guys are trying to back him in a corner or something.

 

[jamezr]

I don't see it that way at all. It's someone being hopeful that Samsung comes through and being a bit undecisive, which is common when weighing buying decisions. It seems like you guys are trying to back him in a corner or something.

not all just explanation and clarity....

 

[majkom]

im with dave🙂

 

[mjschabow]

Dave already noted he disliked the camera layout on his pixel 8 pro so not sure how he's going to avoid that on the Pixel 9 and probably 10 🙂

You have heard of that thing called inflation LOL and you have smaller bezels (on your list), you have an improved sensor (on your list) and a new chip 🙂

So the other upgrades like CPU, Camera, screen are all freebies in your accounting books ? LOL

Sorry but that makes no sense to me. You say the S-Pen is a requirement from Samsung because you said previously you sign documents and that is the only reason to have the S24U. But then go on to say you will get the Pixel 10 that will never have a pen or pen like features. Then you listed bland colors as negative for Samsung phones.....have you looked at the Pixel colors? Sorry but you just seem to be all over the place and complain about samsung phones while ignoring the same for other phone makers. I just don't understand.
From all of your posts here.... not sure the S25 Ultra will be for you....it doesn't fit your requirements.

Just saying that it seems a bit more than just "clarifying".

 

[Dave245]

I’m very indecisive, I can see why Samsung is appealing, I can also see why the Pixel is appealing. I’ve been negative about both brands in the past, I’ve had multiple Samsung phones that I returned. I settled on the S24 Ultra and it’s been a good device which I’ve made use of.

I had a Pixel 8 Pro for a short period of time, 1 week. The main reason I returned was because of battery life not being what I was expecting. That doesn’t mean the Pixel 9 or 10 won’t change my mind, each product is different and each one has the ability to change my mind. I’m not loyal to any brand in particular, if I see something that I like I will like it regardless of what brand it’s on. I’ve been an iPhone user for many years simply because I like a lot of what they do, but that doesn’t mean I don’t like other devices as well.

I hope that’s more clear! Bring on Wednesday when we can see what Samsung officially announce. I love tech and I’m sure I will be the same when Google have their event in August or whenever it will be.

 

[jamezr]

Just saying that it seems a bit more than just "clarifying".

those look like exactly what explanation and clarify looks like to me.
I reached out to Dave personally to apologize if my posts seem like a personal attack...we are good.


Now lets get back to the S25 Ultra

Galaxy S25 Ultra: Everything that has leaked so far

Here is our complete roundup of all the relevant Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra information that has leaked so far.

www.sammobile.com

 

[mjschabow]

those look like exactly what explanation and clarify looks like to me.
I reached out to Dave personally to apologize if my posts seem like a personal attack...we are good.


Now lets get back to the S25 Ultra

Galaxy S25 Ultra: Everything that has leaked so far

Here is our complete roundup of all the relevant Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra information that has leaked so far.

www.sammobile.com

Awesome. Also coming from a place as someone very indecisive, that sometimes a little patience can go a long way with people like us. Many times we're just speaking out loud (or in this case, typing) some of the things that are important for us to potentially pull the trigger. I've been wanting to permanently switch to Android for a while now, and there are just a lot of things I have to work through to make that switch, so I get where Dave is coming from, even if the questions might not make a lot of sense to someone who has their mind made up.

 

[SteveJUAE]

Just saying that it seems a bit more than just "clarifying".

Thanks, we understand your perception 🙂 and this typifies the flip flopping and changing with the wind we note in trying to clarify

It's not malicious its just can't we follow the logic or thought process that often conflict with previous postings

I happy to step back if it's causing friction but likewise maybe at times Dave should hold back and not post so many random thoughts 🙂

 

[jamezr]

Awesome. Also coming from a place as someone very indecisive, that sometimes a little patience can go a long way with people like us. Many times we're just speaking out loud (or in this case, typing) some of the things that are important for us to potentially pull the trigger. I've been wanting to permanently switch to Android for a while now, and there are just a lot of things I have to work through to make that switch, so I get where Dave is coming from, even if the questions might not make a lot of sense to someone who has their mind made up.

I have seen and been a witness to your previous attempts to leave the walled garden. Something always stops you from leaving altogether.
Hopefully this time will be successful for you.

 

[SteveJUAE]

I have seen and been a witness to your previous attempts to leave the walled garden. Something always stops you from leaving altogether.
Hopefully this time will be successful for you.

He's well on the way now we resolved the Google Photos bug with gallery 🙂

 

[noobinator]

Haven't had a Samsung since the s21ultra and also had a flip 2 or 3 briefly. Thinking of trying out the ultra again this year. I know I'll be back to my iPhone most likely, but I have the itch.

 

[mjschabow]

I have seen and been a witness to your previous attempts to leave the walled garden. Something always stops you from leaving altogether.
Hopefully this time will be successful for you.

Yeah, honestly the biggest thing now is just the pain of selling everything and then also trying to be fiscally responsible. And then the fear/ptsd of going back to Apple and repurchasing everything again.

I'm not happy with Apple, and I have way more issues with my iPhone than I used to have. Even my SongBook Pro app that I use when I'm stage has started to glitch out during shows.

But I think there's that emotional tie to a brand that I've been on for well over 10 years...and then the pain in the rear to sell. BUT, if Samsung has a good trade in value for the iPhone 15 PM compared to what I could sell it for, that could help. Best Buy is offering me $540 but not even sure I can trade my T-Mobile iPhone to Best Buy since they only allow you to check the options of Verizon and AT&T.

Not completely out on Google Pixel or a Foldable. Just having a tough time making a decision because Android has so many options. I also don't want to get in a cycle of having a Pixel for 6 months and then switching to Samsung...wash, rinse, repeat.

 

[keithop]

Yeah, honestly the biggest thing now is just the pain of selling everything and then also trying to be fiscally responsible. And then the fear/ptsd of going back to Apple and repurchasing everything again.

yeah you know I'm the same because I message you every year saying me too ;-)

I'm not happy with Apple, and I have way more issues with my iPhone than I used to have. Even my SongBook Pro app that I use when I'm stage has started to glitch out during shows.

Apple have really gone downhill the last few years. I get that most people won't agree/care but one of my reasons for sticking was always that ios was at least solid. I've had so many more problems and glitches the last couple of years with ios on the 15pm and 16pm.

Then there's the AI or lack of. Siri was always terrible for me. I'm sure others love it but it was a waste of space for me since day one.

They really seem to have been caught out by the whole LLM thing and the last keynote was embarassing. We'll be implementing it and it'll be so much better than everyone elses and here's some things it'll be able to do but no it doesnt do it now, no it won't do it when the new phones come out etc. wow.

But I think there's that emotional tie to a brand that I've been on for well over 10 years...and then the pain in the rear to sell. BUT, if Samsung has a good trade in value for the iPhone 15 PM compared to what I could sell it for, that could help. Best Buy is offering me $540 but not even sure I can trade my T-Mobile iPhone to Best Buy since they only allow you to check the options of Verizon and AT&T.

Not completely out on Google Pixel or a Foldable. Just having a tough time making a decision because Android has so many options. I also don't want to get in a cycle of having a Pixel for 6 months and then switching to Samsung...wash, rinse, repeat.

I feel like a foldable is where I want to be but I'd want the best cameras on it that samsung have.

So I'll be trading in the s24u for the s25u I think.

 

[mjschabow]

yeah you know I'm the same because I message you every year saying me too ;-)



Apple have really gone downhill the last few years. I get that most people won't agree/care but one of my reasons for sticking was always that ios was at least solid. I've had so many more problems and glitches the last couple of years with ios on the 15pm and 16pm.

Then there's the AI or lack of. Siri was always terrible for me. I'm sure others love it but it was a waste of space for me since day one.

They really seem to have been caught out by the whole LLM thing and the last keynote was embarassing. We'll be implementing it and it'll be so much better than everyone elses and here's some things it'll be able to do but no it doesnt do it now, no it won't do it when the new phones come out etc. wow.



I feel like a foldable is where I want to be but I'd want the best cameras on it that samsung have.

So I'll be trading in the s24u for the s25u I think.

Exactly. Every time I look at iOS vs Pixel UI or OneUI, there are so many advantages over iOS. The only thing that really tugs at me is Live Activities. That was a brilliant software creation. But yeah, iOS's big appeal used to be stability. That's no longer a thing. Then it was iMessage, but now RCS is on iPhone, so I no longer have to apologize for sending tiny videos. You can video chat on Snapchat and Facebook now so Facetime doesn't really matter anymore.

 

[keithop]

Exactly. Every time I look at iOS vs Pixel UI or OneUI, there are so many advantages over iOS. The only thing that really tugs at me is Live Activities. That was a brilliant software creation. But yeah, iOS's big appeal used to be stability. That's no longer a thing. Then it was iMessage, but now RCS is on iPhone, so I no longer have to apologize for sending tiny videos. You can video chat on Snapchat and Facebook now so Facetime doesn't really matter anymore.

I'm pretty sure the Now Bar will equal or possibly surpass live activities. Sure it's new and it'll need to be open to all developers to be a success but I don't think it'll be an issue going forward.

 

[Dave245]

yeah you know I'm the same because I message you every year saying me too ;-)



Apple have really gone downhill the last few years. I get that most people won't agree/care but one of my reasons for sticking was always that ios was at least solid. I've had so many more problems and glitches the last couple of years with ios on the 15pm and 16pm.

Then there's the AI or lack of. Siri was always terrible for me. I'm sure others love it but it was a waste of space for me since day one.

They really seem to have been caught out by the whole LLM thing and the last keynote was embarassing. We'll be implementing it and it'll be so much better than everyone elses and here's some things it'll be able to do but no it doesnt do it now, no it won't do it when the new phones come out etc. wow.



I feel like a foldable is where I want to be but I'd want the best cameras on it that samsung have.

So I'll be trading in the s24u for the s25u I think.

Yeah, honestly the biggest thing now is just the pain of selling everything and then also trying to be fiscally responsible. And then the fear/ptsd of going back to Apple and repurchasing everything again.

I'm not happy with Apple, and I have way more issues with my iPhone than I used to have. Even my SongBook Pro app that I use when I'm stage has started to glitch out during shows.

But I think there's that emotional tie to a brand that I've been on for well over 10 years...and then the pain in the rear to sell. BUT, if Samsung has a good trade in value for the iPhone 15 PM compared to what I could sell it for, that could help. Best Buy is offering me $540 but not even sure I can trade my T-Mobile iPhone to Best Buy since they only allow you to check the options of Verizon and AT&T.

Not completely out on Google Pixel or a Foldable. Just having a tough time making a decision because Android has so many options. I also don't want to get in a cycle of having a Pixel for 6 months and then switching to Samsung...wash, rinse, repeat.

I completely agree, I don't know what's gotten into Apple the last couple of year. In my opinion last year was the worst year for Apple hardware, hardly anything was truly updated. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 just got a new black colour, the AirPods Max just got USBC and new colours, the iPhone was just a new camera button added (which everyone seems to hate).

Software wise, I have had a couple of IOS bugs, but not many. Apple Intelligence looked good when first announced but was a total letdown. Siri is still the worst, Google's Gemini Live absolutely shows it up!! Personally I wanted Apple to release a Gemini Live competitor.
I'd like too see the same from Samsung on Wednesday, I'd be much more impressed if they made their own, rather than using someone else's, to me that like getting permission from someone else to copy their home work. I'm not going to be impressed by seeing Gemini on a Galaxy phone, Google already have that on Pixel. To me Samsung need to rebuild Bixby from the ground up and come up with their own version of Gemini Live, the same goes for Apple, rebuild Siri from the ground up and give it a Gemini Live competitor.

The thing when it comes to Apple is the ecosystem, the Mac is still the best computer in my opinion. Windows is no where near as good. The iPad is simply the best tablet, and the Apple Watch is better than the Galaxy Watch (at least in my opinion), especially when it comes to exercise and running. Apple also have Apple TV+, Apple Music, Apple Fitness+, Apple News+ and so on. All of which I'm subscribed too via Apple One.

I'm hoping Apple does a lot better this year, I want to see the rumoured Home Hub, give us a competitor to Amazon Echo and I'll buy it, especially if I can use it as a bedside photo frame with my photos that are already in my iCloud. Also I've been waiting for AirPods Pro 3 for a while now, I don't see what the hold up is with those.

Hopefully Samsungs event on Wednesday will have some surprises and something to at least impress, I'm still holding out some optimism at least 😂

 

[edubfromktown]

yeah you know I'm the same because I message you every year saying me too ;-)



Apple have really gone downhill the last few years. I get that most people won't agree/care but one of my reasons for sticking was always that ios was at least solid. I've had so many more problems and glitches the last couple of years with ios on the 15pm and 16pm.

Then there's the AI or lack of. Siri was always terrible for me. I'm sure others love it but it was a waste of space for me since day one.

They really seem to have been caught out by the whole LLM thing and the last keynote was embarassing. We'll be implementing it and it'll be so much better than everyone elses and here's some things it'll be able to do but no it doesnt do it now, no it won't do it when the new phones come out etc. wow.



I feel like a foldable is where I want to be but I'd want the best cameras on it that samsung have.

So I'll be trading in the s24u for the s25u I think.

The only thing I can't get past with foldable mobilea in general is how they are far more susceptible to damage.

Along with motherboard failures (among some of my Samsung friends!). They warranty replace however, it can be 2-3 months before a refurb replacement arrives (in the US).