Samsung goes back to basics with the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s stylus

The “Ultra” model in Samsung’s Galaxy S lineup is typically the phone crammed full of every feature the company could think of. But this year, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is actually taking a step backward with the S Pen. The motion gestures and useful remote camera shutter function have been removed, and the stylus is back to being just a stylus. You can still wave it around like a magic wand, but the phone won’t do anything.

During a media briefing on the new S25 series last week, Samsung explained that customers rarely ever used the “Air action” gestures. So the company decided to try and cut costs by ditching them entirely. And no, the starting price of the S25 Ultra hasn’t come down as a result. Samsung believes other hardware upgrades are more than enough to maintain the same $1,299.99 price.

I never bothered with the gimmicky gestures more than once or twice. But having a convenient (and subtle) way of taking a photo when the phone was positioned somewhere out of reach was very convenient.

Samsung apparently thinks that the palm gesture — where the phone recognizes someone holding up their hand and automatically triggers the shutter — is a decent substitute. You can also control the S25 Ultra’s camera with a paired Galaxy Watch. But I’d argue neither of those is as simple as pressing a button on the stylus. They’re certainly not as inconspicuous if you’re trying to capture a candid shot. (The S Pen’s button still exists, but it’s mostly there to bring up the Air command shortcuts menu.)

This less capable S Pen marks a surprising regression for Samsung’s do-everything smartphone. However, the company seems hopeful that its Galaxy AI software capabilities will receive greater customer adoption. At least the handy screen-off memo feature isn’t going anywhere.

Photography by Chris Welch / The Verge