Samsung’s S25 Ultra and the end of the flagship phone
Feb 4, 2025
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Joining the discussion are Allison Johnson, a tech reviewer from The Verge, who dives into the Samsung Galaxy S25, highlighting its lack of groundbreaking features. Cooper Quintin, from the EFF, sheds light on privacy issues surrounding popular apps like TikTok and RedNote. Jennifer Pattison Tuohy offers insights into the Meta Portal, revealing its impact on family connections during the pandemic. The conversation touches on the future of smartphones, the stagnation in innovation, and the urgent need for better data privacy regulations.
The Samsung Galaxy S25 lineup, though not groundbreaking, sets the stage for anticipated innovations in the smartphone market this year.
Concerns regarding AI functionality in the Samsung Galaxy S25 highlight the ongoing challenges of making advanced technology intuitive for users.
The podcast emphasizes urgent discussions around data privacy associated with Chinese apps, contrasting them with the data practices of American tech companies.
Deep dives
Travel Electronics Simplified
The speaker shares their experience of repacking a travel electronics bag, highlighting the challenges of frequent travel. They emphasize the importance of efficiency, having learned to streamline their packing process into just a backpack. A key item in their packing strategy is retractable USB cables, which have made charging and connecting devices much easier, enhancing their travel experience. The transition to USB-C across most gadgets has simplified connectivity, allowing for a more organized and manageable setup.
Galaxy S25 Release Insights
The discussion pivots to the newly announced Galaxy S25 lineup, which includes the S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra models. Although considered not groundbreaking, these phones are predicted to be popular among consumers as they represent the year's first major smartphone releases. The conversation explores how AI features are being marketed to differentiate the S25 from previous models, despite the skepticism about their actual novelty. There's an anticipation of various smartphone innovations throughout the year and a recognition of potential stagnation in the smartphone market.
Evaluating the Samsung S25 Ultra
A critique of the S25 Ultra reveals mixed feelings about its performance and innovations. The review indicates that while the phone is high-quality, Samsung's recent models lack the excitement of earlier iterations, with some features having been removed, such as the 10x zoom. The speakers ponder whether Samsung is losing its innovative edge or if the smartphone market has reached a plateau, where major advancements are rare. Despite its high price point, there's a question of what value the Ultra branding offers consumers as expectations shift.
AI Integration Challenges
The podcast discusses the new AI features, specifically focusing on Samsung's Gemini assistant, which has had mixed results in usability. Positive experiences of setting reminders and calendar entries highlight some advancements in AI functionality, but frustrations are also shared regarding its limitations in more complex tasks. The conversation sheds light on the ongoing struggles in making AI tools intuitive and effective, drawing parallels to past digital assistants. The participants recognize the potential future benefits of improved AI integrations while criticizing current shortcomings.
Understanding Data Privacy and Surveillance
The complexities of data privacy, particularly related to applications originating from China, are addressed in a broader discussion about surveillance capitalism. The conversation explores the dichotomy between user concerns over apps like TikTok versus the data practices of American companies like Google and Meta. Participants acknowledge that while both situations involve privacy concerns, they lead to different perceptions and fears among users. Trust dynamics play a critical role in how people evaluate these services, and there’s a call for more robust privacy protections to guard against any form of surveillance.
Today on the show, it’s all about the future of phones… and your data. The Verge’s Allison Johnson joins the show to talk about the new Samsung Galaxy S25, what’s new in this high-end phone, and what it means for all the other smartphones coming this year. After that, Cooper Quintin, a senior staff technologist at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, talks us through how to think about the privacy implications of RedNote, TikTok, DeepSeek, and all the other tech that puts us in contact with China. Finally, we enlist The Verge’s Jennifer Pattison Tuohy to help us answer a question from the Vergecast Hotline all about the Meta Portal. Remember the Meta Portal?? If you’re missing yours, we have some ideas.
