Victor, a veteran in the mobile technology sphere with over a decade of experience at PhoneArena, has dissected countless smartphones, diving deep into the nuances of mobile photography and battery performance. His sharp insights and hands-on expertise make him a trusted voice in the ever-evolving world of Android and iOS devices. Today, we’re sitting down with him to explore Samsung’s recent trends—think stagnant battery capacities, recycled designs, and missed opportunities in foldables and software innovation—and what they mean for users hungry for cutting-edge tech.
How do you see Samsung’s decision to stick with a 5,000 mAh battery in the Galaxy Ultra series since the S20 Ultra in 2020, especially when competitors are hitting 7,000 mAh? What’s holding them back, and how does this impact everyday users?
Honestly, it’s a head-scratcher. Samsung’s hesitation to bump up the battery capacity in the Ultra series feels like a deliberate choice to prioritize other aspects—maybe design constraints or cost margins—over user demands for longer-lasting power. When the S20 Ultra launched with 5,000 mAh back in 2020, it was impressive, but now, seeing brands like OnePlus push 7,000 mAh, Samsung looks like it’s playing catch-up. For everyday users, this stagnation can be frustrating; I remember testing the S23 Ultra on a long day of shooting 8K video and navigating, and by late afternoon, I was scrambling for a charger. A battery boost to even 5,400 mAh, as some rumors suggest for the S26 Ultra, could mean an extra few hours of heavy usage—think streaming or gaming without the anxiety of a dying phone. It’s not just about raw numbers; it’s about the freedom to use these flagship devices to their fullest without constantly eyeing the battery percentage.
What’s behind the lack of significant upgrades in the base Galaxy S models like the S24 and S23, where design and features barely change? Can you highlight a specific area where Samsung could shake things up?
I think Samsung is leaning too heavily on a formula that worked in the past, assuming brand loyalty will carry them through with minimal effort on the base S models. The S24 looking nearly identical to the S23, and even the S22, screams complacency—small brightness bumps on the display aren’t enough to excite anyone. One area they’ve missed the boat on is integrating cutting-edge display tech like anti-reflective coatings, which they’ve reserved for the Ultra series. Imagine if the base S24 had that feature; it would transform outdoor usability—less glare on a sunny day at the park, making photos and videos pop without squinting. I’ve held these phones side by side at tech events, and the base models just feel like an afterthought. A bolder move, like rethinking the design with a fresh form factor or pushing a unique camera module, could make the base S series feel like a must-have rather than a predictable refresh.
With the base Galaxy S models sticking to the same 3X telephoto camera since the S22, how does this affect camera enthusiasts at the $800 price point when competitors are using bigger sensors? Can you paint a picture of the real-world difference?
At $800, camera enthusiasts expect more than a recycled telephoto setup, and Samsung’s decision to keep the same tiny 3X sensor since the S22 is a letdown, especially with competitors rolling out larger sensors that capture better detail and light. In practical terms, this lag shows up in low-light scenarios—think a dimly lit concert or a twilight hike. I remember snapping shots with an S23 base model at a friend’s evening barbecue, and the zoomed-in photos were grainy, lacking the depth and clarity I got from a rival device with a bigger sensor. You’re losing out on sharpness at 3X zoom, and colors tend to wash out when the light isn’t perfect. For enthusiasts, it’s not just about specs; it’s about capturing a moment without compromise, and Samsung’s current offering at this price point feels like it’s stuck in the past while others race ahead. It’s disappointing to see them rest on their laurels when they could redefine mid-tier photography with a sensor upgrade.
You’ve noted that One UI hasn’t seen groundbreaking features lately, with much of the excitement around AI coming from Google’s contributions like Gemini. What’s slowing Samsung down on the software front, and what’s a feature they could have pioneered to stand out?
Samsung’s software innovation with One UI has hit a plateau, and I suspect it’s a mix of resource allocation—focusing on hardware or partnerships—and perhaps a lack of vision for what’s next beyond polish. They’ve got a great foundation; One UI has a distinct style that I’ve always admired for not just mimicking others. But without fresh, homegrown features, it feels like they’re coasting on Google’s AI advancements like Gemini. Imagine if Samsung had spearheaded a truly adaptive interface that learns not just your app habits but your physical context—like adjusting layouts based on whether you’re walking or sitting, using motion sensors. I recall using an S22 during a hectic travel day, juggling maps and messages, and wishing the UI could prioritize my navigation app automatically without me digging through menus. That kind of intuitive leap is missing, and it’s a missed chance for Samsung to lead rather than follow in the software space. They’ve got the talent; they just need to swing for the fences.
Samsung took six iterations of the Galaxy Fold to adopt a wider cover screen, despite competitors moving faster on this. What do you think delayed them, and can you share how the narrow screen affected usability in earlier models?
Samsung’s stubbornness with the Galaxy Fold’s narrow cover screen for six iterations likely stemmed from an internal commitment to a specific vision of how foldables should function—prioritizing the unfolded experience over quick-access usability. I think they underestimated how much users wanted a practical cover screen until competitors like Oppo and Huawei forced their hand with better designs. Using an early Fold model a few years back was a lesson in frustration; the narrow cover screen made typing a simple reply or checking notifications a chore—my thumbs felt cramped, and I’d often mistype or just give up and unfold the device. Even pulling up a quick Google search to settle a dinner debate with friends meant squinting at a tiny strip of screen, swiping awkwardly to navigate. It broke the flow of daily tasks, pushing me to open the phone more than necessary, which defeated the point of a cover screen. Seeing the wider screen on later models felt like a breath of fresh air, but it’s a shame it took so long for Samsung to listen to what users needed from the get-go.
Samsung’s decision to drop microSD card support, favoring pricier storage upgrades, has frustrated some fans. How does this impact loyal users, and why do you think microSD still matters today?
Dropping microSD support feels like a punch to loyal Samsung users who valued the flexibility it offered, especially content creators and power users who rely on expandable storage for photos, videos, and apps. It pushes them toward expensive internal storage upgrades, mirroring a strategy we’ve seen elsewhere, and I’ve heard plenty of grumbles in online forums and at tech meetups about losing that budget-friendly option. I remember swapping microSD cards on older Galaxy devices during long trips—popping in a 256GB card loaded with movies and offline maps was a lifesaver without shelling out for a higher-tier model. With recent jumps in SD card speeds, they’re more relevant than ever for quick data transfers or backing up 4K footage on the fly. For many, it’s not just about cost; it’s about control over how they manage their data without being locked into a manufacturer’s pricing structure. This move alienates a core group of fans who saw Samsung as the brand that prioritized user choice over profit margins.
Looking ahead, what’s your forecast for Samsung’s approach to innovation in the coming years? Will they break out of this cautious mold, or are we in for more of the same?
I’m cautiously optimistic, but I think Samsung’s trajectory depends on how much pressure they feel from competitors and their own user base. If brands keep pushing boundaries with bigger batteries, bolder designs, and smarter software, Samsung might finally shake off this conservative streak—I’d love to see them take risks with something wild like a truly modular phone or a foldable that redefines the category again. However, their recent pattern of incremental updates suggests we might be in for more safe bets unless there’s a major internal shift or a market shakeup. I’ve felt the excitement of unboxing Galaxy devices in the past and want to feel that thrill again, not just a sense of déjà vu. The potential is there; they’ve got the resources and legacy to lead, but they need to rediscover that hunger to surprise us. I hope in the next couple of years, we’ll see them embrace a bit of chaos and remind us why they were once synonymous with the future of mobile tech.
