The Galaxy S line is Samsung’s long-standing flagship phone series, and is where we’ve seen a lot of brand-new tech first reach everyday users. The original Galaxy S was the first phone to have a 4-inch AMOLED screen, and much later, the Galaxy S9 was the first to be able to record 4K video at 60 frames per second.
Now Samsung’s biggest revene-generating business, its phones have reigned in the experimental in favor of the safe. Few of the company’s most recent iterations have truly pushed new boundaries. On the eve of the Galaxy S25’s Unpacked launch, scheduled for January 22, here are a few things we’d love to see Samsung (re)adopt, tackle, or take a chance on as we head into 2025.
1. Bring Back Expandable Storage
It’s time for the microSD card to come back to top-of-the-line Android devices. The Galaxy S24 tops out at 256GB of internal storage, and the S24+ offers up to 512GB. And, yes, you can get 1TB on the S24 Ultra, but be prepared to spend well over $1,000 for it. With the ability to record 8K video, it’s easier to run out of storage than you might think.
Readopting the microSD card would perhaps let more people save a few bucks on their phone and allow them to expand later as needed. It’s a user-friendly move to make.
Samsung Galaxy S7 (Credit: Samsung)
It might also help extend the longevity of its phones. For example, Samsung offers an excellent seven years of operating system and security updates. But as phones age, their storage fills with new apps in addition to high-resolution photos and video. We don’t know exactly how much storage Galaxy AI consumes on Samsung phones, but it can’t be too different from the 7GB that Google’s basic AI package needs on Pixel phones. AI will only need more storage over time, particularly for AI that runs on-device.
Samsung has a precedent for returning to the microSD card, too. It removed the slot from the Galaxy S6 and brought it back the following year with the S7. We’d like to see that happen again with the S25.
2. Even Faster Charging
We applaud the Galaxy S24+ and S24 Ultra for their 45W wired charging speeds, but raise an eyebrow at the slower 25W wired charging speed of the standard S24. Competitors have already raised the bar here and we know Samsung can do better.
The RedMagic 10 Pro, for example, can charge its 7,050mAh battery at up to 100W wired and, in our tests, refilled the battery in just 36 minutes. The S24 Ultra’s 5,000mAh battery reached 100% at 45W in 1 hour and 20 minutes. Further, the OnePlus 13 and its 6,000mAh battery took just 40 minutes to top up at 80W.
RedMagic 10 Pro (Credit: Iyaz Akhtar)
Moreover, Apple offers 25W wireless charging on its iPhone 16 line. Wireless charging tops out at a slower 15W on the entire S24 line.
Samsung has kept its quickest wired charging speed at 45W for several generations now. It’s time to boost that number to at least 65W to keep up with the competition.
3. Magnets for Peace of Mind
The Qi v2.0 standard (Qi2) includes the Magnetic Power Profile, which helps align devices and chargers with magnets. Think Apple’s MagSafe tech, but for Android phones. When you need or want to charge a phone wirelessly, you simply align the magnets and rest easy, knowing that everything is working.
Samsung should adopt Qi2 for the S25. One of the reasons Apple’s MagSafe is popular is that it (mostly) removes the ability to screw up. Place the puck on the iPhone and it automatically snaps together. You can still use your phone while charging without fear.
Apple iPhone 16 with MagSafe charger (Credit: Apple)
As they work today, Galaxy phones require you to place them on a non-magnetized flat charging mat or stand. Then, you have to wait a moment to make sure the charging symbol lights up. But be careful not to bump the phone once it has started charging. You might knock it out of alignment and cause it to stop charging.
Which approach seems more user-friendly? The answer isn’t polarizing.
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4. Add Secure Face Biometrics
Google Pixel Face Unlock (Credit: Google)
The Google Pixel 9 lets you use your face to securely authenticate logins and financial transactions, much like iPhones do. Face unlock is available on the S24 line, but it is not sufficiently secure to handle financial applications. While Samsung’s fingerprint sensors are reliable and secure, why not give us another option?
I am not advocating for Samsung to remove the fingerprint sensor. I’d simply appreciate it if the company included a secure facial recognition feature, too. Because some of us want to authenticate our coffee shop transactions during the winter months without removing our gloves.
5. A Little Weirdness
LG V60 5G ThinQ (Credit: PCMag)
In the early days of the Galaxy S series, Samsung tried to redefine what a phone does. The Galaxy S3 was “inspired by nature,” the S4 was supposed to be our “life companion,” the S5 included a textured rear panel, and the S6 line brought a curved screen to the table with the S6 Edge. Other than introducing folding phones, Samsung has played it pretty safe in the last few years.
LG Wing 5G (Credit: Sascha Segan)
Other companies are experimenting a bit more with their phone designs. The newly introduced Oukitel WP200 (yeah, I’ve never heard of them either) includes a detachable section that can act as a smartwatch or an earbud. Ten years ago, the YotaPhone put an E Ink display on the rear panel. LG introduced a bunch of wacky dual-screen devices with swiveling screens, including the LG Wing and the LG V60 ThinQ 5G. Can you imagine attaching an S24 and S25 together to work as one foldable unit? Does that sound weird? Good. We need more of that to bring some innovation to a somewhat stagnant category.
Of Course, Some Things Should Stay the Same
While we’d love to see even one item from our wish list come true this year, there’s no denying Samsung’s Galaxy S devices are some of the best phones on the market, and many things shouldn’t change at all. Keep the bright, high-resolution displays with super fast refresh rates. Keep the IP68 dust and water resistance. Stick with the best-in-class processor, excellent wireless connectivity options, and premium build quality. Also, keep reverse wireless charging, which is incredibly handy to charge Qi-compatible devices on the go.
We’ll be at Galaxy Unpacked on January 22 to see if any of our wishes are fulfilled. Until then, check out the top rumors about what we actually expect to see.
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About Iyaz Akhtar
Mobile Analyst
