Samsung’s 2025 Rollercoaster: AI, Ultra-Thin Phones, and Unfinished Robots

Samsung navigated a year of bold highs and puzzling lows in 2025. The tech giant pushed artificial intelligence into every corner of its product lineup. It also made controversial changes to its most beloved devices.

According to Reuters, the company’s strategy was defined by aggressive innovation and occasional missteps. The year was packed with major launches, from new foldables to a long-awaited VR headset.

A Year of AI Expansion and Product Evolution

Samsung declared its “AI for All” vision at CES in January. This initiative brought new intelligence features to 2025 TVs and home appliances. A feature called Click to Search allowed users to identify on-screen content instantly.

The product launches came fast. The company released its most powerful vacuum cleaner ever, dubbed the Bespoke AI Jet Ultra. In smartphones, the Galaxy S25 Ultra debuted with a refined design but a downgraded S Pen.

That stylus lost its Bluetooth-based Air Actions feature. In a separate move, the new Galaxy Z Fold 7 dropped S Pen support entirely. These decisions disappointed many loyal Samsung users.

Breakthroughs in Form and Function

2025 was a landmark year for Samsung’s foldable phone portfolio. The company launched the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE, its first Fan Edition foldable. It also unveiled the innovative Galaxy Z TriFold, a dual-folding phone.

Perhaps the most striking hardware was the Galaxy S25 Edge. At just 5.8mm thick, it claimed the title of the world’s thinnest smartphone. Meanwhile, the Galaxy XR headset finally launched to compete with Apple’s Vision Pro.

Software updates were unusually frequent. Samsung rolled out both Android 15 and Android 16 within the same calendar year. This rapid pace was attributed to earlier development delays.

Samsung’s 2025 journey proved that relentless innovation often walks hand-in-hand with difficult trade-offs. The company’s ambitious bets have set the stage for a crucial 2026.

Info at your fingertips

What was Samsung’s biggest product failure in 2025?

The Ballie robot companion was delayed indefinitely. Samsung had planned a summer 2025 release but cancelled those plans.

Which Samsung product became a world record holder?

The Bespoke AI Jet Ultra vacuum cleaner launched as the world’s most powerful in its class. It directly challenged competitors like Dyson.

Did Samsung release a new type of foldable phone?

Yes. The Galaxy Z TriFold debuted as Samsung’s first consumer dual-folding phone. Its launch was limited to select markets.

What happened with Samsung’s S Pen in 2025?

Support was reduced. The Galaxy S25 Ultra’s S Pen lost Bluetooth features. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 dropped all S Pen support.

What was the unusual highlight from late October?

Samsung’s Jay Y. Lee and NVIDIA’s Jensen Huang dined on fried chicken in Seoul. The casual business meeting garnered massive media attention.