The Galaxy S25 Ultra caused controversy with the company’s decision to remove Bluetooth support from its bundled S Pen accessory. Samsung releases a $50 Bluetooth-equipped S Pen as an optional accessory despite removing the built-in feature from the phone's standard S Pen, confusing customers about its product direction.
During its Galaxy S25 Ultra release Samsung removed Bluetooth capabilities from the bundled S Pen styler device. The Galaxy Note 9 brought this functionality to users as its initial feature launch in 2018 which provided remote control options through gesture controls. Users accessing Bluetooth-powered features accounted for less than 1% of Samsung customer base according to the firm's removal justification. Rumors suggested that Qi2 wireless charging support may have conflicted with Bluetooth functionality.
Samsung has now launched a standalone Bluetooth S Pen that sells on Amazon UK for $50. A standalone Bluetooth S-Pen will maintain the remote control and gesture features which the bundled version lost.
This decision has raised multiple questions about Samsung’s intentions. At the S25 Ultra Galaxy launch Samsung revealed that removing Bluetooth from the S Pen enabled them to cut costs. The mobile phone's base price remains the same but consumers feel dissatisfied about the added expense of purchasing a Bluetooth-version of the pen.
Several fans believe Samsung began removing Bluetooth features from the S-Pen because the company seeks to get customers to buy different gadgets offering similar remote capabilities like Galaxy Watch and Galaxy Ring. Others believe the Bluetooth S Pen remains an unconfirmed product even though placeholder content is displayed on Samsung's blog and Amazon's website.
Multiple Galaxy S25 Ultra critics already express dissension toward its equivalent product because of the minor technical advancements noticeable from the preceding model. Samsung fans already express dissatisfaction with the current situation after the company decided to separate the Bluetooth S Pen into a distinct accessory.
The Galaxy S25 Ultra and its product line creates an industry discussion about how Samsung positions profit making against enhancing user experiences. A formal announcement from Samsung aims to clarify the uncertainties along with user dissatisfaction about this issue.