As per tradition, Samsung is gearing up to usher in the new year with the launch of its flagship Galaxy S series. I’ve been using the Galaxy S24 Ultra for a while. The rumored specs for the upcoming Galaxy S25 series are impressive, but the Korean giant will need to address these small annoyances to deliver a truly premium flagship experience.
From refined haptics to a camera that instantly captures moments without compromise, to Qi2 support, there are several key areas where Samsung could improve the Galaxy S25 series beyond the impressive numbers on the spec sheet.
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7 better tactile sensation
The average vibration motor is one of my biggest issues with the Galaxy S24. It’s certainly not subpar like some budget devices, but it can’t quite match the performance of the iPhone 16 or Pixel 9. I can’t remember how many calls or messages I missed during my short time with the Galaxy S24 Ultra. I didn’t feel my phone vibrating in my pocket.
This is a small detail that most people don’t take into account when purchasing or checking out a device in a store, but it makes a big difference in your daily experience. Both the iPhone and Google Pixel have excellent haptics, providing a gentle touch without causing discomfort. The Galaxy S25 needs a more sophisticated and powerful haptics to give you a satisfying jolt when typing and to actually grab your attention when notifications arrive.
6 Eliminate shutter lag
Another frustrating thing about the Galaxy S24 is the noticeable shutter lag. When trying to take a photo of a dog running in the park or a small child dancing on the couch, the moment often ends up blurry. Both iPhones and Google Pixels can capture fleeting moments in sharp detail, so why can’t a high-end Galaxy smartphone do the same?
Samsung offers an option to reduce shutter lag, but it takes a big toll on image quality. The company needs to address this issue head-on. I want a camera that can instantly capture the action without compromising image quality.
5 Smooth lens switching experience
Switching lenses isn’t as smooth as you’d expect on a flagship Galaxy device. Qualcomm touts the same with its high-end Snapdragon 8 Gen lineup, but Samsung has failed to offer the same with its existing phones. Even Chinese OEMs like Oppo, Xiaomi, and Vivo have smooth transitions between lenses, so why is Samsung lagging behind?
I really hope Samsung prioritizes a smoother lens switching setup with the Galaxy S25 series. It’s these details that contribute to a truly polished and professional camera experience.
4 smoother animations
Samsung’s One UI has come a long way, but its animations still feel a step behind the fluidity of Pixel UI and iOS. You might not notice such details at first glance, but our experience with both the iPhone 15 Pro and Pixel 8 tells us that animations on Galaxy devices are less sophisticated. This is more of a software issue and I hope Samsung fixes it with One UI 7 based on Android 15.
Additionally, the company should consider ditching outdated navigation buttons in favor of gesture navigation by default. This is a more modern and intuitive way to interact with phones and what most OEMs have already implemented.
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3 Qi2 support
The Qi2 standard was introduced a few years ago, but apart from the HMD Skyline, we have yet to see it adopted by mainstream Android smartphones. Similar to Apple’s MagSafe standard on the iPhone, it primarily focuses on adding a magnetic alignment ring to the device and charging.
Qi2 support opens up a whole ecosystem of accessories for the Galaxy S25, from safe and stable charging stands to innovative mounts and wallets.
2 Bigger battery and faster charging
Samsung is clearly aiming for longevity with a promise of seven years of OS updates, and to truly support that they need to prioritize battery life. The S24 Ultra’s 5000mAh battery isn’t bad, but it’s not the best in class, and the 45W wired charging speed feels a little outdated.
Instead of going for thinness (rumor has it 8.2mm, 8.6mm for the Galaxy S24 Ultra), Samsung should focus on using a larger battery with the S25 series. Imagine a 6000mAh battery that can easily last you all day with intensive usage, even with the brightest display and all the bells and whistles. Couple this with 65W or even 80W charging and you’ve got a phone that’ll keep you comfortable during your busy days without breaking a sweat.
1 Contrasting colored S Pen
This might be a bit of a niche request, but as a long-time Note fan, I’d like to see Samsung bring back the fun of S Pen color contrasts with the Galaxy S25 series. Remember the blue Galaxy Note 9 with the bright yellow S Pen? It was a very cool and playful touch.
Think a sleek black Galaxy S25 Ultra and a fiery red S Pen, or a bright green S25 and a sunny yellow Pen. It’s the small details that can add a touch of personality and nostalgia.
Make the Galaxy S25 series a complete package
The Samsung Galaxy S25 series has the potential to be more than just a spec sheet champion. After all, the smartphone landscape is changing. Rivals like Apple and Google are increasingly prioritizing user experience, rather than just packing powerful CPUs. It will be interesting to see if Samsung can pull off these often overlooked elements that make a good phone a great phone.
