Here, a new Galaxy Note! That’s what crossed our minds when we put our hands on the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra. It must be said that the allusions are numerous. Very square form factor, curved screen, and, of course, integration of the S Pen, accessory-signature. It is however nothing. The Galaxy Note range seems to be definitively buried by the Korean manufacturer, separating the high-end smartphone segment between Galaxy S, on the one hand, and Z Fold, on the other.
Yet Samsung is not abandoning the stylus. Little assumed on the S21 Ultra, the S Pen was compatible, provided it was transported separately. This time, to the left of the USB-C port, a slot is dedicated to it. We wonder, however, whether the “Fastest and most responsive S Pen ever” is a real asset.
A good gadget
It is clear that in use, the S Pen is doing well. The responsiveness, so much praised by Samsung, is there. The functions that made it successful are still there: taking notes, precise selection of an area during a screenshot, remote control to trigger a remote shot, or even creating an image with text animated. Once out of its place, it is a pleasure to use the stylus.
The problem is that in ten days of use, we had to force ourselves to use it to be able to form an opinion. Despite the attempt to shake up our habits, the observation is rather clear, the Galaxy S22 Ultra and its stylus have not succeeded in transforming the way we use a smartphone.
Even for taking notes, if we appreciated being able to annotate a plan in a few seconds, we have a hard time letting go of our notebook. You can take out the S Pen for a quick shopping list, or even annotate a phone number, but that’s as far as it goes. From our point of view, it’s a gimmick. Successful, but with sporadic utility.
The image above all
Please note, we are not saying that the Galaxy S22 Ultra is a bad smartphone, quite the contrary. It is a successful device. We just doubt that the integration of the S Pen decides its success. That said, it is not certain that this was what made the success of the Galaxy Note. This product line has always been Samsung’s technological showcase integrating all the sexiest novelties.
So why resuscitate the S Pen to integrate it into a different range? Probably because today, high-end devices, with rare exceptions, look alike. They all have a quality screen, a convincing autonomy and an attractive photographic score. But to stand out, Samsung probably thought that taking over the codes of the Galaxy Note and its famous S Pen was a good idea. Integrating them into the top of the range S22 is a way of distinguishing it, of adding a little something extra.
Because if you see someone with a smartphone and a stylus, you might know it’s a Galaxy S22 Ultra. Strategy paid or not? Hard to say. But, in our experience, the stylus is not a star differentiator, more an almost superfluous accessory…