Samsung
This one feature will make you love the Samsung Galaxy S25
As a long-time Samsung Galaxy user, I am familiar with many of the key innovations and developments in the smartphone industry. In the ever-evolving smartphone technology, software updates play a crucial role in enhancing device performance, security, and features.
The world’s best smartphone maker, Samsung Electronics, is rumored to be bringing a significant software update method to its upcoming flagship, the Galaxy S25 series, with the introduction of seamless software updates. This feature, if implemented, could change things up for how its phones manage software upgrades. It would bring Samsung in line with what users have come to expect from competitors like Google.
Importance of Seamless software update?
Having seamless updates makes life a lot easier for smartphone users. Normally, updating a phone’s software means being without your device for several minutes or even longer (in major software update cases) while the system prepares, installs, and reboots. This process can be a real pain, especially if you’re out or right in the middle of something important.
With Seamless updates, you don’t need to worry about the time-consuming process. It allows the phone to download an update in the background and install it to an inactive partition. When you reboot your phone, it switches to this updated partition, minimizing downtime. There’s a safety net; if something goes wrong with the new software update, the phone can revert to the previous version easily, reducing the risk of serious issues like “bricking” your device.
If the Galaxy S25 rumors turn out to be true, Samsung might finally introduce a feature that many users, particularly beta testers of One UI, have been eagerly anticipating.
From my own experience in One UI beta testing, the lack of seamless updates often meant extended times without phone functionality during updates. This could change with the S25, making beta testing more accessible and less difficult.
Samsung has provided updates effectively in the past, but they’ve never been seamless like Google‘s. By adopting the seamless updates method, Samsung could show they care about user experience just as much.
About the history, Google introduced seamless updates with Android 7.0 Nougat in 2016, setting a benchmark for Android device updates. Here’s how Google does it:
Google uses A/B system partitions where one partition (A) runs the current software, and updates are installed on the other (B) without interrupting the user. The whole process happens in the background, and once they’re ready, a reboot is all that’s required to switch to the new version.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (Source – Sammyfans)
How will it change the Galaxy S25 series experience?
The Galaxy S25 series users will have a great experience with the seamless software updates. The update would be downloaded and installed on an inactive system partition. When you decide to reboot or it happens automatically, your phone will switch to the updated system without the long wait typically associated with updates. The actual time your phone is unusable might only be the boot time, significantly less than the current update processes.
The Galaxy S25 will be breaking new ground here, bringing this crucial feature to the table before any other Samsung phone. It’ll be the only model in the Galaxy family.
Alongside this feature, there’s expected to be a larger display for all models, with the S25 Ultra possibly featuring a more rounded back for comfort. It is expected to be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite, promising exceptional performance. The series is rumored to launch in January 2025 with the Android 15-based One UI 7 software.
Disclaimer
Please note, as of now, there’s no official confirmation from Samsung regarding the inclusion of seamless updates or the exact specifications of the Galaxy S25 series. All the information provided is based on leaks and rumors, subject to change or clarification upon official release.
Snapdragon 8 Elite overheating concerns dimmed early excitement for the Galaxy S25 Ultra. The chipset promises significant performance improvements. However, the chip is suspected of excessive heating on the very first model.
Samsung will equip the Galaxy S25 Ultra with Snapdragon 8 Elite, which must avoid having any overheating concerns. The company’s mobile division is doing a great job, but any such hurdle will become a crisis for the entire business.
Snapdragon 8 Elite is being manufactured using TSMC’s 3nm process node. It’s the first Qualcomm chipset that uses cutting-edge process technology. Meanwhile, it could potentially have overheating issues on certain flagship phones.
Snapdragon 8 Elite makes flagship hot?
Realme GT7 Pro is powered by Snapdragon 8 Elite processor. Reviewers praised its solid performance and stability, but, it could have a potential issue of excessive overheating in certain circumstances.
Reviewers at AndroidAuthority and DigitalTrends observed an overheating problem on the Realme GT7 Pro running Snapdragon 8 Elite. The software issued a notification that the handset was running so warm during benchmarking.
Notably, the Realme GT7 Pro has a solid cooling mechanism, packing a huge vapor chamber. Despite this, the phone reached significant warm conditions, leading the software to pop up notice that the “phone running so warm.”
Will it shatter Galaxy S25 Ultra supremacy?
Nowadays, performance and efficiency are the scale of a chipset. Consumers won’t prefer an exceptionally powerful processor without solid power efficiency. Power efficiency alone is not acceptable unless it features decent performance.
Samsung is all set to make the Galaxy S25 Ultra stand out from rivals such as iPhone 15 Pro Max. Apple is using 2nd-gen 3nm chipset in the latest iPhone Pro models. Hence, any overheating concern would put Samsung in massive trouble.
The Korean tech giant is said to pack the next flagship with an improved cooling tech. Oryon CPU brings exceptional performance, but efficiency can be achieved with an equivalent approach from the software and cooling mechanism end.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is set for release in a few months and one of its upgrades will mark the end of an era. It will bring a completely different look yet much closer to the iPhone.
It’s about the ‘Curve’
Samsung was the first company to introduce curved edge screens in smartphones. The company picked up this display as a revolutionary technology to offer something different. The Galaxy S and Note series introduced curved display variations from 2015 to 2018.
Since then, the unique display outlook has been well received by customers. However, it isn’t the only thing in previous flagships, it is also the frame.
These devices were sold with a curved/rounded frame, creating an arc between the rear and front. This build helps to support device grip and improve aesthetics.
This was certain
However, the upcoming change was not imminent, instead, it was gradual. That brings me to the S9 and S10+. These two models are the turning point for this entire conversation.
The Galaxy S9 and Note 9 have the largest curved edges in Samsung’s flagship lineup. This display feature was highly noticeable and the same goes for the Galaxy S10+ but for a different reason.
Its display curves shrunk to almost 30-40% alongside the frame. Afterward, these curves keep on shrinking not only for display but also for the frame to date.
In the meantime, there’s one more thing that happened, Samsung ended the Note series and merged its features into the S flagship including the S-Pen.
S24 Ultra – The Final Milestone
Earlier this year, Galaxy S24 Ultra unveiled a flat screen, which completed the last step in this flat device transition.
Compared to Ultra, the standard and Plus models already received a new makeover and a similar frame. Compared to these two phones, the S24 Ultra retained its curved frame but the message was clear for the successor.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and Galaxy S24 Ultra (Credit: AndroidHeadlines, Samsung)
S25 Ultra – Completing the Circle
A month ago, OnLeaks collaborated with Android Headlines to share the first Galaxy S25 Ultra CAD renders. These images have revealed a whole new chapter for the Ultra model and the entire S series lineup.
Samsung introduced titanium with the S24 Ultra but still looks identical to its predecessor. The S25 Ultra has implemented this material with a flat side but no curves in either direction.
The rear, the front, and the frame are creating a complete flat phone experience just like the s24 (base and Plus model).
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra CAD Render (Credit: Androidheadlines)
This new design has also removed those clear sharp corners. Instead, S25U has rounded all four corners. This gives us an iPhone vibe but there’s another side to look at it.
Existing and previous Ultra models come with low bezels but its round frame completely overshadowed this display feature. That means the frame’s radius (curve) contributes as an extra bezel outside of the display.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra CAD Render (Credit: Androidheadlines)
With a flat frame, the phone looks thin on corners and sides. This change will highlight the slim bezels and full-view visuals. The phone maker has already experimented with this change with the S24 and S24 Plus and well received by customers.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Release
Samsung decided the end of this curve era years ago and the S24 Ultra set the course straight. Now, Samsung is ready to complete this flat-screen flagship transition with the S25 Ultra and there’s a high chance that we’ll see this change in action with the phone’s release early next year.
Several Samsung Galaxy users have noticed that the Circle to Search Lens feature is missing on the home screen. This feature was accessible by long-pressing the Home key. Now, Samsung has officially confirmed that this lens feature has been removed due to changes in the Google app.
Google’s Circle to Search Lens provides a useful way to find information by taking pictures or scanning text around you. Its removal may feel frustrating, but the good news is that you can still use similar features through the ‘Google Lens’ app.
Google Lens is a separate app that allows you to do many of the same things. You can identify objects, translate text, and find more information about images.
First, you need to install the app via the Google Play Store, search for “Google Lens,” and download the app. Once it’s installed, you can open it whenever you need to.
Using Google Lens is easy and can make your daily tasks simpler. For example, if you want to know about any dish is, or if you need to translate a file into another language, Google Lens can help you out.
The removal of the Circle to Search Lens might seem like a hassle for some Galaxy devices. It is easy to use but switching to the Google Lens app is a great alternative as it provides the same features.
Circle to Search: Samsung, Google’s AI Magic on Galaxy S24 FE