Emir BardakçıSamsung didn’t bring back the IR sensor that it removed in 2016 and last used with the Galaxy S6 in 2015, declaring it “history.” However, Xiaomi continues to proudly use this hardware even in its 2026 flagship, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra.
So why do two giants to evalute the same technology so differently?
Samsung removed because of aesthetics and forcing
There were two main reasons why Samsung abandoned this technology after the S6:
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Design Obsession: They wanted to use every millimeter inside to make the phones thinner and the battery bigger. The IR sensor was deemed “sacrificable.”
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Ecosystem Imposition: The main reason was commercial. Samsung didn’t want users to manage their old devices; it wanted them to buy new, Wi-Fi-enabled Samsung smart products (TVs, air conditioners). They adopted the logic of “Don’t manage your old TV with your phone, go buy a new one.”
Xiaomi’s Persistence: “The Key to Real Life”
However Xiaomi focused on “user experience” rather than engineering. The reason this sensor is in the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is simple.
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Not Everything Is “Smart”: Xiaomi knows that the air conditioner at your hotel, the TV at the restaurant, or your grandfather’s house aren’t “smart.” Infrared lets you control these old devices with a single button.
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Cost vs. Prestige: This sensor costs less than $1. However, the feeling of “total control” it gives the user increases brand loyalty.
Samsung requires an internet connection, an app named SmartThings, and pairing to manage its devices. Xiaomi works with a simple “point and press” logic. Samsung thought it had “modernized” with the S6, but it restricted the user. The Xiaomi 17 Ultra combined the old with the new, giving the user freedom. That’s Xiaomi’s secret. Technology shouldn’t complicate life; it should make it easier.
