You want an S Pen? The Galaxy S25 Ultra remains your best bet, even with downgrades

Samsung is gearing up to unveil its Galaxy S25 series on January 22, and thanks to numerous leaks and rumors, we've got a pretty solid picture of what to expect from these flagship phones. While most of the buzz is about the expected upgrades – big or small – there's one rumored change that might leave some fans feeling a bit let down.

Reportedly, the high-end model's S Pen won't support Bluetooth, which means it loses features like remote control for actions at a distance and air gestures for device control. A bit of a bummer for many, I know. Still, if you're looking for a flagship phone with an S Pen, the Galaxy S25 Ultra remains your best bet.

Samsung first brought the S Pen to the Galaxy S21 Ultra, marking its debut outside the Note family. However, it was an optional add-on and didn't come bundled with the phone – something the Korean tech giant changed with the Galaxy S22 Ultra.

Since then, the S Pen has become one of the defining features of the Galaxy S Ultra models, setting them apart from other flagship phones. Thanks to Bluetooth connectivity, the S Pen offers extra features that non-Bluetooth styluses simply can't match. With Bluetooth, you can use the S Pen to:

• Flip through presentations

• Control music playback

• Snap photos

• Switch camera modes

• Zoom in and out

However, with the rumored lack of Bluetooth support in the Galaxy S25 Ultra, all of these features could disappear. I can understand why power users might be frustrated with the downgrade, but most people probably use their stylus for nothing more than jotting down notes and doodling – things a non-Bluetooth S Pen can handle just fine.

Speaking of which, if the S Pen on the Galaxy S25 Ultra does lose Bluetooth, it'll still offer plenty of other features, like:

• Handwriting to text with AI-powered auto formatting, summarizing, spellchecking, and translation options

• Taking screenshots with Smart Select

• Creating artwork with Screen off memo or Samsung Notes

• Using Circle to Search to find anything on your screen

Yet, if you're considering the Galaxy S25 Ultra and the S Pen is a major factor, this might feel like a letdown. But if you're set on having an S Pen, the Galaxy S25 Ultra could still be the best choice.