The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra has taken its place at the top of Samsung’s smartphone lineup, merging the best of the Galaxy S series with the productivity-driven DNA of the Note series. With its integration of the iconic S Pen directly into the phone’s body, the S22 Ultra aims to deliver the most complete stylus experience ever seen on a Galaxy device. For users familiar with the Note series or new consumers interested in stylus-enabled productivity, the S Pen experience on the Galaxy S22 Ultra promises to be a powerful evolution.
TL;DR
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra’s built-in S Pen sets a new benchmark for stylus use on smartphones. With ultra-low latency, natural handwriting capabilities, and seamless integration into daily tasks, it transforms how users interact with the device. Whether you’re sketching, taking notes, or navigating with Air Actions, the S Pen elevates the Ultra into a true productivity powerhouse. It’s not just a smartphone—it’s nearly a pocket-sized notebook, canvas, and remote control all in one.
S Pen Evolution: Note Legacy Meets Galaxy
The inclusion of the S Pen in the S22 Ultra marks a pivotal shift in Samsung’s design strategy. Previously the domain of the Galaxy Note, the dedicated S Pen slot now finds a permanent home in the S series—specifically, the premium Ultra model. The S Pen on the S22 Ultra boasts improvements in latency and functionality over its predecessors, enhancing the overall digital writing experience.
Samsung has reduced the S Pen’s latency to just 2.8 milliseconds, down from 9ms on previous models. This improvement, achieved with the help of AI-based prediction software, makes writing feel almost instantaneous. The result is a highly responsive and natural input method, akin to jotting notes on real paper.
Natural Writing, Seamless Note-Taking
One of the standout features of the S Pen experience on the Galaxy S22 Ultra is its ability to mimic the feel of physical writing. Whether users are scribbling down notes in Samsung Notes or sketching in third-party apps like Clip Studio Paint, the stylus responds with fluidity and precision.
Samsung Notes serves as the heart of the S Pen’s software experience. Notes can be color-coded, synchronized across devices via Samsung Cloud or Microsoft OneNote, and even transformed into editable text with advanced handwriting recognition software. Real-time collaboration is also supported, allowing multiple users to edit notes simultaneously—a major boost for professionals and students alike.
Air Actions and Remote Control Features
The S Pen isn’t just a writing tool; it’s a smart remote as well. Through Bluetooth connectivity, users can control various phone functionalities using Air Actions—gestures made with the stylus in mid-air. Common uses include:
- Controlling the Camera: Snap photos remotely or switch modes with simple movements.
- Presentation Mode: Navigate slides in apps like PowerPoint using left or right air swipes.
- Media Playback: Play, pause, or skip tracks in supported media apps.
These features are customizable, letting users assign different gestures for specific actions depending on their needs.
Creative Powerhouse: Drawing and Design
Creative users will find a lot to love in the Galaxy S22 Ultra. The S Pen transforms the device into a portable sketchbook, offering support for pressure sensitivity and palm rejection. Drawing apps like Autodesk SketchBook and Adobe Illustrator Draw take full advantage of the stylus, allowing for detailed design work on the go.
The expanded display, measuring 6.8 inches, combined with the S Pen’s accuracy, makes this phone a legitimate canvas for digital artists. Whether sketching a quick idea or working on a detailed illustration, the responsiveness and control delivered by the S Pen are remarkable.
Handwriting to Text and Smart Select
Among the more practical daily-use features of the S Pen is its handwriting-to-text functionality. Users can write directly into text fields, search bars, or messages, and the phone intelligently converts their scribbles into digital text. This feature supports over 80 languages and offers a fast, intuitive alternative to typing.
Another gem is Smart Select, which allows users to highlight parts of the screen to crop images, extract text, or create GIFs—all with ease. It’s a perfect tool for sharing important information or producing quick media content without opening a separate editing app.
Battery and Durability
The S Pen charges automatically when inserted into the phone’s silo and maintains a decent battery life when used for Air Actions. While you won’t need to worry about charging it for regular writing or drawing (as those functions don’t rely on battery), any Bluetooth or remote features benefit from regular charging via the phone.
In terms of durability, the S Pen is lightweight but sturdy. It has a fine tip that glides smoothly across the screen and resists wear. The silo design ensures it’s safely stored, reducing the risk of misplacing it—an issue common in older Note models with detachable pens.
Limitations and Considerations
No product is without flaws. While the S Pen experience on the Galaxy S22 Ultra is arguably best-in-class on Android, it still has a few constraints:
- Limited full compatibility with third-party apps—some may require tweaks or lack advanced stylus support.
- The stylus may be too thin for extended use compared to standalone drawing tablets or pens.
- Air Actions functionality can feel gimmicky or underused for those who don’t present or use camera remote functions often.
Still, these are minor considering the overall capability and polish Samsung has achieved in this iteration of the S Pen.
Final Thoughts
The S Pen is no longer just an accessory—it’s central to the Galaxy S22 Ultra’s identity. Offering an unrivaled combination of precision, latency, and smart functionality, the S Pen transforms standard mobile tasks into experiences that are faster, more creative, and more intuitive. Whether you’re an artist, a student, a business professional, or a casual user who loves a good gadget, the S Pen adds clear, versatile value to Samsung’s flagship device.
FAQ
- Q: Does the S Pen for the S22 Ultra need to be charged?
A: Only the Bluetooth functionality (like Air Actions) requires charging, which happens automatically when the S Pen is docked in the phone. Writing and drawing do not require battery power. - Q: Can I use previous Note S Pens with the S22 Ultra?
A: Technically yes, but only the S Pen integrated with the S22 Ultra supports the full set of features, including ultra-low latency and Air Actions. Older S Pens may lack compatibility or responsiveness. - Q: Does it support third-party drawing or note apps?
A: Absolutely. Apps like Adobe Illustrator Draw, Autodesk Sketchbook, Microsoft OneNote, and others work well with the S Pen’s capabilities. - Q: Can I customize Air Actions on the S Pen?
A: Yes, Samsung allows users to assign specific gestures to functions and apps through the settings menu. - Q: What is the latency improvement compared to older S Pens?
A: The S Pen on the Galaxy S22 Ultra has a latency of just 2.8ms, compared to 9ms on the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra—making handwriting feel almost instantaneous.