Original topic:

[SMC-Story] #10 Samsung Members Connect in a Nutshell πŸ”₯

(Topic created on: 02-10-2025 12:37 AM)
1249 Views
nazzzz
β˜…
Options
Samsung Members
When I received the chance to attend Samsung Members Connect 2025 in San Francisco from Samsung, I knew this was more than just a trip. It was an opportunity to share my journey, insights, and experiences with the Samsung Members community !

image

Lets review our 4-day Samsung Members Connect recently. This program is actually something that we do to redefine how we experience technology.

🌍 Day 1 : SMC, Here We Come! 🌎

image

Every great adventure starts with a single step. And ours? At Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL), bags packed, excitement maxed.

The final destination : San Francisco, USA, the home of Galaxy Unpacked 2025 and Samsung Members Connect.

✈️ Pre-Flight: Airport Hustle & Last-Minute Prep

Me and CY Ooi were all set for our first leg : KUL ➝ HKG, a solid 5-hour flight. The airport was buzzing with energy, and we were soaking it all in !

πŸ’Ό Check-in & Lounge Vibes

🧳 Baggage? Checked.
πŸ“± Devices? Fully juiced up.
πŸ“‹ Plans? Roughly mapped out with King, our Samsung Members Manager, at Plaza Premium Lounge.

Between sips of coffee and quick brainstorming sessions, we laid out our plan. What to capture, which moments to highlight, and how to make the most out of this Samsung-powered journey.

Before boarding, I took a stroll around the terminal, snapping some aesthetic shots for my moments compilations.

I love the idea that airports have this unique vibe of transit and movement everywhere.

🌏 First Stop: Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)

Five hours later, we touched down in Hong Kong (HKG).
It was a short layover, just enough time to stretch, explore a bit, and get mentally ready for the real deal; the long-haul flight to San Francisco.

Then, it was time.

image

πŸš€ HKG to SFO : 13 Hours in the Sky

This was it, the long haul flight of the journey. How We Spent 13 Hours in the air :

🎬 Watched a few movies (airline selection was decent).
😴 Got some rest (because jet lag is real).
πŸ› Enjoyed in-flight meals (Dinner was lamb rice, breakfast was scrambled eggs with sides).
πŸ“Έ Did some light content shots and finalized ideas, must-capture moments.

The moment the pilot announced, "We’ll be landing in San Francisco shortly," it hit me. We’re about to experience something epic!

🏁 Arrival : Welcome to San Francisco !

After 13 hours in the air, we finally touched down on U.S. soil. The immigration clearance was smooth ! 
I was expecting the usual long lines and intense questioning. Instead? Less than 5 minutes. A couple of questions, a passport stamp, and I was officially in the United States πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ

πŸ“ San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
πŸ•“ Local Time : 4:00 PM


Mission SFO : Successful.

image

πŸš– Hotel Transfer & First Impressions of San Francisco

Our assigned driver, Mr. Peter, greeted us and took us straight to our hotel, the Grand Hyatt San Francisco.

San Francisco had this tech-meets-history charm, with its rolling hills, cable cars, and modern skyscrapers. Even through my jet-lagged state, I could feel the energy.

πŸŒ‰ Samsung Members Connect Orientation

We arrived at the hotel when the Orientation had started. Check into our room, grabbed the Unpacked kits, and rushed into the Ballroom.

When we arrived, Ms. Isabelle, our assigned host was presenting about the 9 missions to be completed throughout the program ! We were grouped with Stars from UAE πŸ‡¦πŸ‡ͺ and Romania πŸ‡·πŸ‡΄, before the groups were reshuffled the next morning.

πŸ€– Day 2 : A Packed Day of Inspiration & Innovation ! πŸ€–

🍳 Early Morning Fuel 

The second day of Samsung Members Connect kicked off with a hearty breakfast at the Grand Hyatt Ballroom at exactly 6:28 AM in San Francisco, USA πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ.

The buffet spread was a feast for the senses. Freshly baked croissants, scrambled eggs, hearty oatmeal, and more. While we enjoyed our meal, the excitement was building. Galaxy Unpacked 2025 was just hours away !

As we fueled up, conversations buzzed around the room, with everyone sharing their expectations for the day. By 7:00 AM, it was time to depart for the SAP Center.

image

🚌 The Journey Begins

At the lobby, Samsung Members Stars from around the world gathered, energy levels high as we waited for instructions from our instructors.

I reunited with Umar, a fellow Star from the UAE πŸ‡¦πŸ‡ͺ, who was also my groupmate at last year’s Galaxy Unpacked. It was great to catch up !

On the bus, I sat next to Jason, a Star from Australia πŸ‡¦πŸ‡Ί. We reminisced about past events, including the last local Unpacked, where I met Raffy instead. The ride was filled with laughter and conversations until we finally arrived at the SAP Center.

🌌 Galaxy Unpacked 2025 : The Moment We've Been Waiting For 🌌

The stadium was buzzing with activity. Staff guided guests to their designated areas consisting influencers, media, partners, and us, the Samsung Members Stars.

Before the show started, I grabbed selfies with my Indonesian team members and took a quick shot in front of the iconic Galaxy Unpacked banner.

image

⚑️ Redefined Innovation⚑️

The Galaxy Unpacked unveiled the Galaxy S25 Ultra, setting new benchmarks in mobile technology. The highlights including :

⚑️ AI-Powered Innovation 
The Galaxy S25 series features One UI 7, enabling multimodal AI interactions using natural language, images, and text.

⚑️ Enhanced Performance 
Improved gaming performance with ProScaler and a 40% boost in Ray Tracing.

⚑️ Sustainability Focus
Recycled materials into the devices to aim for a more circular approach to manufacturing.

⚑️ 50MP on Ultrawide 
The S25 Ultra stands out with a 50MP ultra-wide-angle camera and a durable glass-ceramic cover.

⚑️ Improved Nightography
Nightography is taken to new heights, creating clearer night photos with improved AP performance.

⚑️ Increased Charging Speed
Wireless charging speeds have increased to 25W, and the charging time for the 5000mAh battery has been halved.

⚑️ Gemini Integration
Advanced Gemini features, including on-screen awareness, cross-app functionality, and Gemini Live. Just press the side button to activate the Gemini.

⚑️ Upgraded Circle to Search
The gesture-driven Circle to Search feature can now recognize phone numbers, music tracks, and more.

⚑️ Call Transcripts
Transcribes phone calls automatically in multiple languages. We can now talk with global citizens!

⚑️ AI Select
Offers personalized suggestions based on what is on the screen.

⚑️ Multimodal Sketch-to-Image
Creates images by combining inputs such as rough sketches, text, and voice.

 βš‘️ Writing Tools
Offers functionalities such as text summarization, style recommendations, grammar and spelling checks, and formatting options.

⚑️ Galaxy Log
This! Finally, the S25 series introduces Galaxy Log, a flat video codec that retains more data in the footage, allowing us, especially content creators and videographers to color grade videos during post-production for greater creative flexibility.

⚑️ Virtual Aperture
Provides granular control over the background blur (bokeh) in portrait mode videos.

Along announced is the Project Moohan, an AR Wear from Samsung in collaboration with Google, as well as the teaser of Galaxy S25 Edge.

⭐️ About Galaxy S25 Ultra :
S25 Review All the Wayyy Here ⭐️

image

⭐ Design and Build 
The most noticeable change is nice, rounded corners, which make the device more comfortable to hold on extended period of time. This ergonomic refinement, to me, also ensures that the Galaxy S25 Ultra feels less boxy while maintaining its aesthetic.

image

⭐️ Slimmer Bezels
The bezels have been further trimmed down, offering much more cleaner display without compromising the robust build quality.

Speaking about the camera design, the new lens design of the S25 Ultra is amazing ! The floating thicker ring with a smaller inner ring gives the phone such a sleek and refined look.

image

⭐️ IP68 Rating and Weight
The "compulsory" aspect of a premium device which is water and dust resistance remains as is on this device. On the other hand, despite weighing at 218g, the device feels perfectly balanced and comfortable on hand.

⭐️ Display 
The 6.9” Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X display has been fine-tuned with an incredible peak brightness of 2,600 nits, which makes it a joy to use outdoors, even under direct sunlight. The vivid colors and adaptive refresh rate at 120Hz ensure smooth scrolling, whether during gaming, watching videos, or simply browsing.

image

πŸ“Έ Camera : Raising the Bar Again πŸ“Έ

πŸ“Έ 200MP Main Sensor
The 200MP main camera remains as a great feature, giving super detail and dynamic range. Samsung's pixel-binning technology which is combining 16 pixels into one per statement during the Galaxy Unpacked, produces sharper, brighter images in low-light conditions without sacrificing detail.

image
200MP mode on camera preview

πŸ“Έ 50MP Ultra-Wide
The most significant leap is the inclusion of a 50MP Ultra-Wide sensor, replacing the 12MP module from the Galaxy S24 Ultra. This upgrade offers detail and clarity to our wide-angle shots. Whether we’re capturing sweeping landscapes or group photos, the results are crisp, vibrant, and distortion-free, thanks to AI-enhanced processing.

image
Ultrawide is enabled on 50MP mode

πŸ“Έ Zoom Mastery
100x Space Zoom is retained, delivering awesome clarity even at super magnifications. For closer zoom ranges, the 3x and 10x telephoto lenses provide sharp results without compromise.

image

πŸ“Έ Nightography Enhanced
Samsung's enhanced Night mode now supports Portrait mode, giving our low-light selfies and portraits a natural and vibrant look. The front 12MP selfie camera also strike the perfect balance, capturing lifelike skin tones without over-exposing details.

πŸ“Έ Log Video
As introduced during the Galaxy Unpacked, the Log video feature on the Galaxy S25 Ultra offers enhanced dynamic range and greater flexibility for color grading in post-production. By preserving more details in highlights and shadows, it allows us to adjust precise adjustments on the video.

image
Source : Samsung.com

πŸ’₯ Performance : Power Meets Efficiency πŸ’₯

Under the hood, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite designed to handle Generative AI. This custom chip offers great performance as well as improving power efficiency.

πŸ’₯ Battery Performance
Galaxy S25 Ultra is packed with 5000mAh. Combined with super efficient chipset, we managed to use it full-day during the Epic Tour ! The closest battery performance depicted here :

image
Source : Ixl_Arctic_Ixl on Reddit

⭐️ The long-awaited One UI 7 !
Running on One UI 7 atop Android 15, the Galaxy S25 Ultra introduces smarter multitasking, enhanced widgets, and seamless integration with the Galaxy ecosystem.

🎨 One UI 7 : Smooth, Simple, & Just Right 🎨

After spending a few days with the stable version of One UI 7 during the Samsung Members Connect, I can tell you it’s not about flashy, over-the-top changes. It’s about making everything just work. If you’ve been using Samsung phones for a while, this feels familiar, but better in all the right ways !

🎨 The Now Bar
The Now Bar might sound fancy, but it’s just a small widget on your lock screen that’s really useful. You can control your music, manage timers, or check the weather without unlocking your phone. It’s simple as I now do not have to reach the top area of the screen just to what's going on.

image

🎨 Live Notifications
This feature keeps you updated in real time, whether it’s a delivery, a workout, or even live sports scores. It’s like a little nudge when you need it, and it blends in so smoothly that you’ll forget it’s even there.

image
Source : Sammy.com

🎨 Quick Settings
Samsung changed how quick settings work, splitting them into two panels. Notifications on one side, toggles on the other. At first, it took me a bit to get used to, but after a couple of swipes, it feels so much cleaner and easier to manage.

image

image

You can tweak the layout too, so it works exactly how you like it.

image

🎨 Icons
Small Changes that just work. The icons have a fresh new look, the app drawer now scrolls vertically (finally !), and the recent apps menu feels smoother. These aren’t massive changes, but they all add up to make using your phone just a little nicer every day.


image

My Verdict : A Rounded Evolution 

Well The Galaxy S25 Ultra isn’t just an upgrade, it’s a statement. From the rounded corners to the awesome 50MP UltraWide camera, the small yet meticulous detail has been refined to offer the ultimate user experience.

For those who're wishing the best in design, performance, and photography, I can sure you the Galaxy S25 Ultra is a masterpiece worth experiencing.

β˜†β˜†β˜†

Well, back to the Galaxy Unpacked, the event wrapped up with a photoshoot with TM Roh !

image

🍴 Lunch at Meso Modern Mediterranean

Post-Unpacked, we headed to Meso Modern Mediterranean, a restaurant specializing in Mediterranean cuisine.

image

As a secret seafood lover, I went straight for the seasoned prawns, and they did not disappoint ! The relaxed atmosphere made for great discussions about the event’s highlights.

Members Workshop: Deep Dive into Innovation 🎀

The afternoon was packed with insights and brainstorming sessions during the Members Workshop.
Hosted by Ms. Isabelle, the session started with Mr. Sung Chang, EVP of Marketing, delivering a speech on how Samsung’s innovations align with consumer needs and future trends and followed by Mr. MinSeok Kang, Head of Smartphone Product Planning Team, exploring the behind scene of the Samsung products creation.

Our group, Group G, was a mix of Members Stars from South Korea πŸ‡°πŸ‡·, Malaysia πŸ‡²πŸ‡Ύ, the Czech Republic πŸ‡¨πŸ‡Ώ, and the United States πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ.

image

We took part in:

πŸ“Έ Galaxy Model Challenge - A creative photoshoot session.
πŸŽ₯ New Galaxy Trailer - Showcasing Samsung’s latest innovations.

Three Galaxy AI tools were introduced and applied throughout the Epic Tour :

πŸ” Circle to Search - Making image searches smarter.

🎬 AI Video Edit - Transforming raw footage into masterpieces.

πŸ”Š AI Audio Eraser - Elevating sound quality effortlessly.

We also got our shooting locations for Day-3's Epic Tour:

πŸ“ Golden Gate Bridge
πŸ“ Palace of Fine Arts
πŸ“ Chinatown
πŸ“ Pier 39 & Fisherman's Wharf
πŸ“ Ghirardelli Square
πŸ“ Painted Ladies
πŸ“ Embarcadero + Ferry Building
πŸ“ Coit Tower
πŸ“ Lombard Street
πŸ“ Transamerica Pyramid

πŸŽ‰ Unpacked Night : A Celebration to Remember

The night took us to Glasshouse San Jose, an hour from San Francisco, for Unpacked Night, an evening filled with fun, networking, and celebration !

The ambience was crazy, with DJ Kara spinning beats that kept the energy sky-high. Speaking about the ambience, the room was packed with influencers, brand partners, Stars, and Samsung executivesWe shared moments of selfies with TM Roh, MKBHD, CreatedbyElla, DJ Kara, Shufeyang, and more.

image

The menu was just as impressive :

🍣 Seared Salmon on Cucumber Cup
πŸ₯© Steak Crostini
πŸ§€ Honey Apple Brie Bites
🍒 Ginger Soy Glazed Brochette
🍀 Ahi Tuna Spoon
πŸ™ Arancini Balls

πŸ• Wrapping Up with Dinner

Back at the Grand Hyatt, we gathered at the Grand Ballroom for dinner.

I loaded up my plate with these menu and enjoyed late-night conversations with fellow Stars, recapping the highlights of the day. 

πŸ• American-style pizzas
πŸ₯— Fresh salads
🍣 Dynamite Rolls & California Rolls

πŸŒ‰ Anticipation for Day 3

With Unpacked, the Members Workshop, and Unpacked Night behind us, we’re all gearing up for the Epic Tour. San Francisco, here we come!

Day 2 was nothing short of phenomenal. A mix of innovation, networking, and celebration. Samsung isn’t just shaping technology; it’s bringing together a global community of visionaries.

πŸŒƒ Day 3 : Exploring San Francisco & Gala Night Extravaganza πŸŒƒ

image

The adventure continues ! With the challenge in full swing, we kicked off Day 3 of Samsung Members Connect with a thrilling Epic Tour across San Francisco, culminating in an unforgettable Gala Night.

🍞 Fueling Up for the Day

We started bright and early with a hearty
hotel breakfast. The buffet had everything, from fresh pastries to omelets, fueling us for the jam-packed schedule ahead.

πŸ’Ž Epic Tour : Exploring San Francisco’s Gems

With our $150 Uber voucher (thanks Samsung !), we set off to visit some of San Francisco’s most iconic locations.

🎨 Stop 1 : Palace of Fine Arts

Our first destination was the breathtaking Palace of Fine Arts, an architectural masterpiece originally built for the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition. Over the years, it has served as an art exhibit, military storage, and even a theater.

The serene waters and grand columns made it the perfect backdrop for group photos and some mission brainstorming.

 πŸŽ‘ Stop 2 : Grand View Park

Next, we ascended to
Grand View Park, where San Francisco unfolded before our eyes. The crisp air, sweeping city views, and golden sunlight made for an awe-inspiring stop. No wonder it's called "Grand" View Park !

🍲 Lunch : A Chinese Culinary Feast

By midday, we found ourselves at a charming Chinese restaurant, indulging in a feast of stir-fries and dim sum. Let’s just say, self-control went out the window. It was that good !

 πŸŽ¨ Back to the Palace of Fine Arts

After lunch, we returned to complete our mission. The atmosphere was buzzing with creativity and teamwork, with cameras rolling and ideas flowing.

We wrapped up filming our
team video task, making sure to capture the best moments before heading back to the hotel for a quick 30-minute recharge.

✨️ Gala Night

By 6:30 PM, we arrived at the stunning Exploratorium in San Francisco, where the city lights set the perfect ambiance for a spectacular evening.

image

🍽 A Fine Dining Experience 

The menu for the night was nothing short of exquisite :

πŸ„ Starter : Porcini Mushroom Potage
πŸ– EntrΓ©e : Grilled Filet of Beef
πŸ‡ Dessert : Raspberry Gelato

🎢 Lucky Draw & DJ Party 

The excitement peaked with the lucky draw! As names were called one by one, the tension grew until my name was announced ! πŸŽ‰ Winning a water mug felt surreal, made even better by the cheers from my fellow Stars.

Then came the DJ Party ! With music pumping and energy soaring, everyone including Samsung executives, influencers, and Members Stars hit the dance floor. The night was alive with celebration, laughter, and unforgettable moments.

🌟 Reflecting on an Incredible Day

From exploring San Francisco’s landmarks to dancing under the city lights, Day 3 was nothing short of a dream. The bonds we’ve formed, the challenges we’ve tackled, and the memories we’ve made.

And now… onto the Awarding session ! 


✈️ Day 4 : Wrapping Up an Unforgettable Journey ✈️

Our final day in San Francisco was a bittersweet farewell, a mix of celebrations, goodbyes, and one last epic adventure before heading home.

image

 πŸ½οΈ Breakfast & Packing Up

We started the day early at 7 AM with breakfast in the ballroom, fueling up for the long day ahead. With four hours to pack and check out, it was a mad dash to fit everything into our suitcases especially with all the souvenirs and goodies from the event!

πŸŽ–οΈAward Ceremony & Lunch 

By 11 AM, we gathered for the final lunch and award ceremony, a grand moment celebrating the hard work, creativity, and passion of the Samsung Members Stars.

✨️ Mission : All Clear! 

CY and I won the
Mission All Clear challenge, marking the perfect ending to Samsung Members Connect 2025. As part of the celebration, we also had a souvenir exchange from all countries, a heartwarming moment that showcased the diversity and friendships built throughout the event.

 πŸš— One Last Adventure

With our flight at 10 PM, we couldn’t leave without one last road trip across San Francisco ! Renting a car, we set off to explore some of the city's most breathtaking spots :

πŸ“ Lands End Lookout - A scenic escape with stunning coastal views and rugged cliffs. The perfect place to breathe in the fresh ocean air.

πŸ“ Alta Plaza Park - A hidden gem offering panoramic views of the city skyline. The perfect spot for a moment of reflection before heading home.

πŸ“ Golden Gate Bridge - No San Francisco trip is complete without one last stop at this iconic landmark. As the sun set behind the bridge, it was the perfect farewell to an epic journey.

image

 βœˆοΈ Heading Home

With hearts full of memories and luggage packed with experiences, we made our way to the airport for our 10 PM flight.

Samsung Members Connect 2025 was an adventure of a lifetime, from networking and challenges to laughter and friendships that will last beyond this trip.

Until the next journey… San Francisco, you’ll always be legendary. πŸŒ‰βœ¨

Feel free to ask any questions related to our journey and don't forget to follow to stay tuned !



3 Comments
shawnshawn8
Active Level 3
Samsung Members

Congratulations to the winnings 

0 Likes
Samsung Members
thank you !1739124515736.gif
0 Likes
RBJ73
Expert Level 1
Samsung Members
❀
0 Likes