Original topic:

Ultra Users: How's the size? How useful is the S Pen, really?

(Topic created: 06-17-2025 09:46 AM)
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CEParsons
Comet
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Galaxy S Phones
Considering making the leap from the Plus to the Ultra in my next upgrade cycle (most likely S26 or S27 series,) but I keep going back and forth on a few things:

1) The massive size is concerning to me. I often find myself thinking the Plus is too big, and I would go back to the base model if not for the smaller battery... I can't help but wonder if trading comfort for specs is really worth it.

2) I don't know if I would ever actually use the S Pen. I have had LG Stylus phones in the past, and I found the stylus completely useless. What sets the S Pen apart? What are your use cases?

Your thoughts, experiences, and input are appreciated as I look to the future!
23 Replies
Robin621k
Honored Contributor
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Galaxy S Phones
I use the Spen all the time for different things.

1. To mark up screenshots for various things.

2. Editing photos and videos is much easier with an Spen.

3. Magnify tool is easier with Spen.

4. Signing any kind of documents.

5. Drawing to add to photos.
CEParsons
Comet
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Galaxy S Phones
Care to expand on 1 and 2 a bit? I dont see 3-5 being significant use cases for me, personally.
Robin621k
Honored Contributor
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Galaxy S Phones
For instance when trying to help people in this app with screenshots.

Using the Spen when editing videos is much easier than using your finger to cut, more precise.1750178942198.jpg
Mujarva
Cosmic Ray
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Galaxy S Phones
I use my Spen all the time when editing photos and videos. It does make it so much easier!
TipsyTrex
Black Hole
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Galaxy S Phones
The S-pen is more accurate and has more features than the LG stylo or the motorola G stylus, even though the S25U and possibly future ultras have lost some features.

-4000 layers of pressure sensitivity so you can actually do real art with varying line thickness
-screen off note taking is the best thing. Pull out pen, start writing on the off screen. Legitimately the best way to take notes on a phone.
-older ultra devices support remote camera shutter and features like air gestures, which could possibly return on future Ultra devices after the outcry due to the s25U removing it.
-you can hover the pen over the screen and it will provide similar features to hovering a mouse over something in a browser, so you can see an images text description, for instance. Some apps will have features to take advantage of this, like the samsung gallery editor.
Manny_Man
Constellation
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Galaxy S Phones
I have an S20 Ultra and the S Pen works... but my phone constantly states that it's not connected? I've opened the S Pen settings and tapped the "connect" button...but no luck. How do I fix that?
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maxhu
Constellation
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Galaxy S Phones
I bought s23 ultra three years ago, and my S pen only got out around 5。 I thought it was not useful, eles you paint a picture with it. that is it , but ultra performance is very strongly about camera and play games . but it is very heavy because it is screen size
TzDvl
Asteroid
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Galaxy S Phones
I am using the S25 Ultra, I started my journey with the very 1st Note to which I purchased and used every generation until the S series Ultra took over and still using the S series....
Since its beginning the Note had great features and little by little Samsung started taking away some of the neat features, like SNotes use to have more choices with stationary, or being able to write a phone number on the lock screen and then accessing it in Snotes, press and hold on the number and it would call the number, then most recently it removed the feature from the pen that you could use for selfie mode. I am disappointed that they continue to remove these little features that add great differences between other devices. I hope they either bring back those very useful features or create new ones....

I do like that I can be on my S25 ultra and copy and paste using my Spen to my Tab S10+ and vice versa
BernieM
Asteroid
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Galaxy S Phones
I have S24 Ultra. Don't use the S pen at all.