My first Samsung Galaxy in over ten years

[qbnkelt]

It’s been a very very very long time since I’ve posted here.

Two days ago, without any forethought, I found myself in the Samsung website ordering an unlocked S25 Ultra with 1 TB storage in rose gold. It will arrive on Monday.

I dragged my old S20 out, fired it up, and backed everything up. Bought some cloud storage just in case.

I will be ordering a Defender Otterbox case.


I will be using both my iPhone 16 Pro Max and the S25 Ultra on different lines at the same time because I also have an iPad and a MacBook Pro.

So…….what should I expect in terms of culture shock from my S20 to my S25?

 

[Trees]

Good to see a long time forum member, I seem to remember your username from here or maybe iMore.

Changes and differences between the form factors, Android OS, and One UI may be some new variables to get used to.

Swiping down from the top left to get your notifications, and from the top right to get the controls might be a minor shock, although I think there is a setting where the behavior can be changed so that swiping down from the screen top will bring up control center and notifications at the same time like with the S20.

 

[qbnkelt]

Good to see a long time forum member, I seem to remember your username from here or maybe iMore.

Changes and differences between the form factors, Android OS, and One UI may be some new variables to get used to.

Swiping down from the top left to get your notifications, and from the top right to get the controls might be a minor shock, although I think there is a setting where the behavior can be changed so that swiping down from the screen top will bring up control center and notifications at the same time like with the S20.

Thank you. This is useful.

I think I remember your user name too.

 

[SyCoREAPER]

Flat Screen
Lower minimum refresh
108 -> 200MP camera
No more MST*
Cooler, Battery Efficient SoC
New GoodLock and Good Guardian (formerly Galaxy Labs) Modules

Tip: There are so many but turn off RAM+. Useless feature that slows down the phone and increases battery.
Utilize the built-in battery protection to cut off power at 80-95%

Those are the highlights (*and downside) I can think of.
Samsung was on a Google ShillPage but it seems like they might be backpedalling a bit bringing some of their apps back which is a good thing.

Edit: Oh yeah, Bixby is useful now. Only by extension that I fills the void of performing tasks that Assistant/Gemini is too stupid to do, like call places...

 

[qbnkelt]

Flat Screen
Lower minimum refresh
108 -> 200MP camera
No more MST*
Cooler, Battery Efficient SoC
New GoodLock and Good Guardian (formerly Galaxy Labs) Modules

Tip: There are so many but turn off RAM+. Useless feature that slows down the phone and increases battery.
Utilize the built-in battery protection to cut off power at 80-95%

Those are the highlights (*and downside) I can think of.
Samsung was on a Google ShillPage but it seems like they might be backpedalling a bit bringing some of their apps back which is a good thing.

Edit: Oh yeah, Bixby is useful now. Only by extension that I fills the void of performing tasks that Assistant/Gemini is too stupid to do, like call places...

You had me at flat screen. One thing that really bothered me with my 20 were all those unintended keystrokes when I hit the sides by accident.

 

[SyCoREAPER]

You had me at flat screen. One thing that really bothered me with my 20 were all those unintended keystrokes when I hit the sides by accident.

I always used a thick case but can see how that would be an issue otherwise. Enjoy the glass.

One other thing that kind of sucks is the Bixby button is gone. It was useless for Bixby but great as it could be remapped (or was that the S10?).