‘So boring’ infuriates Samsung owners after beloved feature is killed off Galaxy phones – but fans reveal clever alternatives

SAMSUNG owners are mourning the loss of a beloved feature that was dropped from Galaxy phones.

The resource disappeared generations ago – and shows no signs of returning.

In a popular Reddit thread on the Samsung subreddit, fans revealed their sadness over the IR blaster’s disappearance.

This was a characteristic of the oldest Samsung phones that would allow you to control televisions using infrared – like a TV remote control.

In the thread, one user wrote: “IR Blaster was honestly very convenient once you set up all your devices and added a widget to your home screen.

“It was a universal remote control that was always with you.

“Not to mention that no matter where I went, I would change the channels to whatever I wanted to watch.”

Another said: “It was great. They could still have one, they are very cheap.”

And one wrote: “I still miss it, all these years later!”

If you’re looking for an alternative, one fan revealed their solution: “I loved the IR blasters! I bought a small USB-C IR blaster to take with me to hotels so I can change the input on some of the more blocked televisions.”

Another alternative is to simply use Bluetooth or Wi-Fi: many TVs models or streaming services now let you connect smartphone apps with virtual remote control.

Samsung’s last phone with infrared was the Galaxy S6, released in 2015.

No explicit reason was given as to why, but Samsung likely decided that the space or budget would be better utilized elsewhere.

NO NOTIFICATION

US Sun recently revealed how Samsung fans were also unhappy about the phone’s lack of another feature.

two

Samsung ditched the notification LED with the launch of the Galaxy S10 in 2019.

It was an LED that was at the top of the screen and flashed different colors to signal a notification.

One fan wrote: “It’s not the same without him!”

Another said: “Yes, every few years I try these software applications to replicate it, but it’s not the same.

“The charging light was also good when it turned green.”

Here is Samsung’s official list of color meanings:

• Blue (pulsating): The device is turning on or off.
  Blue (flashing): there is an unread notification (missed call, message, etc.) or during voice recording.
• Red (bright): connected to a charger and charging.
  Red (flashing): connected to a charger but not charging, or when the battery is low.
• Bright Green): connected to a charger and fully charged.
  Green (flashing): Fully charged.
• Other colours: If you have installed third-party apps that include LED notifications, your phone may flash different colors (such as white, purple, or pink).

But it ended up being abandoned, as was the IR blaster.

Now both characteristics are a rarity on Android phones, with no signs of returning.