The model new Galaxy S22 Ultra seems to be like a Note. It has a built-in S-Pen like a Note. It even has an enormous, high-res show like a Note. And after I went hands-on with this factor, though it doesn’t say Galaxy Note wherever on the field, make no mistake, the S22 Ultra is the Note reborn.

Now I admit Samsung’s naming scheme may appear complicated at first, nevertheless it’s clear Samsung has embedded the Note’s DNA all through the $1,200 S22 Ultra’s design and software program. And with Samsung having added S-Pen assist to varied Galaxy S, Z Fold and Tab S units lately, it is smart that it is now increasing the Note model from a single system into extra of an expertise.

But most significantly, except for the super-premium Z Fold 3, the S22 Ultra very a lot seems like the massive over-the-top handset that energy customers have been searching for for the reason that Note 20 Ultra got here out a 12 months and a half in the past. For starters, its angular physique separates the S22 Ultra from its smaller, curvier siblings–a theme that continues to the bottom of the telephone. Instead of Samsung’s typical Contour Cut design, the S22 Ultra has 4 distinct rear cameras (huge, ultra-wide, a 3x telephoto and a 10x telephoto), to not point out a devoted laser autofocus module.

From a pure {hardware} perspective, it’s a brawny digicam array with Samsung as soon as once more providing its 100x Space Zoom tech (10x optical zoom plus 10x digital zoom). And on the subject of processing, the S22 Ultra steps up from the tetra-binning approach used on the usual S22 and S22+ to a nona-binning system (which Samsung first explored on the S20 collection) for its 108-megapixel foremost cam, which mixes 9 adjoining pixels into one large pixel for much more highly effective low-light efficiency.

And whereas my brief time with the S22 Ultra didn’t actually let me consider the telephone’s picture high quality in full, I used to be positively impressed by Samsung’s upgraded OIS and its new Auto Framing video function, which was capable of observe my colleague Cherlynn’s face, regardless of her finest efforts to duck out and in of the body.

Additionally, for individuals who love Portrait mode pictures, the S22 Ultra will get a brand new AI Stereo Depth Map function that helps separate your topic from the background, which offers much more freedom to mess around with bokeh and varied studio lighting results. And for each the S22 and S22 Ultra, there’s even a brand new Expert RAW app that helps 16-bit photographs whereas providing you with extra management over settings like white steadiness, publicity compensation and extra. Unfortunately, as a result of the Expert RAW app isn’t accessible but, we’ll have to attend till our overview to check it out for actual.

Meanwhile, the addition of a built-in storage slot for the S Pen actually completes the transition Samsung began final 12 months on the S21 Ultra. All your conventional S Pen apps are there, and if you’re in a rush, you may merely come out the stylus and get to writing due to Samsung’s Screen Off Memo function. And, to my shock, Samsung has managed to make writing on the S22 Ultra really feel even smoother than earlier than, due to a brand new predictive AI system that lowers the stylus’ response time from 9ms to simply 2.8ms.

At this level, any semblance of enter lag has been utterly obliterated, and I additionally observed that Samsung’s palm rejection appears to have gotten smarter too. For me, a Z Fold3 proprietor, though it is good having S Pen assist baked in on a tool with a good bigger show, the S22 Ultra nonetheless feels just like the superior sketching and observe taking system. The S Pen is at all times there if you want it, and also you don’t need to fumble round opening the system anytime you wish to jot down or sketch a random thought.

And let’s not neglect the show, as a result of as an alternative of the FHD+ panel you get on an S22 or S22+, the S22 Ultra incorporates a 6.8-inch QHD+ OLED display with a variable 120Hz refresh fee. And actually, it’s simply mesmerizing to have a look at. Colors look virtually effervescent, with peak brightness now going as much as 1,750 nits in the fitting circumstances (like outdoor in direct daylight). And by lowering the show’s minimal refresh fee to simply 1Hz, we must always see some advantages to battery life too.

Finally, in step with the Note line’s traditionally lofty specs, the S22 Ultra is filled with virtually each high-end part you may consider, together with a Qualcomm Snapdragon Gen 1 chip (or an Exynos 2200 all through most of Europe and Asia), 8GB or 12GB of RAM, as much as 1TB on onboard storage and IP 68 mud and water resistance. But no headphone jack or microSD slot.

Even the S22 Ultra’s battery and charging is maxed out, with Samsung together with a 5,000 mAh energy pack, assist for 45-watt wired charging and 15-watt wi-fi charging, along with Wi-Fi 6E, 5G connectivity and an ultrasonic in-screen fingerprint sensor.

But for me, essentially the most encouraging factor in regards to the S22 Ultra is that after not getting a brand new Galaxy Note final 12 months, Samsung’s newest top-of-the-line handset combines the very best of each the Galaxy S and Galaxy Note strains. You get a large 10x optical zoom paired with a built-in S Pen and mainly non-existent enter lag in a refreshingly boxy physique. Not solely does the S22 Ultra have the specs you need, nevertheless it seems to be the half too. Sure, Samsung could have skipped a 12 months, and the title may appear a bit awkward at first, however within the S22 Ultra, the spirit of the Note could be very a lot alive.

The Galaxy S22 Ultra begins at $1,200 and is available for pre-order today with official gross sales slated for February twenty fifth. And for many who pre-order, Samsung is providing a free improve to the subsequent storage tier, $200 of credit score on Samsung.com, and a 25 % low cost in direction of the acquisition of a brand new Galaxy Tab S8.

Catch up on all the information from Samsung’s February Unpacked occasion proper right here!