I started my passion for Samsung in October of 2018 when my mum let me have her old Note 3 after she upgraded to S8+. I always wanted a Note 3 because of the S Pen and my longtime passion for devices with built in stylus. That did not start with Samsung. It started with Nintendo DS series of handheld game consoles. I had hoped one day smartphones would have pens and while my mother almost never used her Note 3 S Pen, after she let me have it, I used it all the time. In 2022, I was given a used Note 20 5G by a friend. I used it for a year, gave them my old camera and a week later, ordered an S22 Ultra which I saved for. I wanted the S23 Ultra but was unable to get one for several reasons. I ordered it in Green 128 GB. Ordered it August 4, and after grocery shopping, it was ready for pickup at the phone shop so we picked it up on the way home.
As for its look and feel, it is a beautiful phone with or without a case but I feel more comfortable having it in its full body Lanheim case that's waterproof, Dust proof, drop proof and snow proof. I live where winters are intense and very frigid at times so this is a good case for it. I slipped the wrist strap into the case and put it on an adjustable lanyard so I can wear my S22U as part of my outfit and to make it easier to have on me in case of an emergency or if I fall. Many phone users greatly dislike curved screens. I am one of those that actually likes them. It took a little getting used to as I never had a phone with a curved screen before. I think it's curved screen is very beautiful. It's a unique feature that S Ultras have that just makes them unique like myself as someone with disabilities. I think with the uniqueness that S Ultra is, curved screens just make them stand out in a good way. I find it easier to see and type on compared to a flat screen but actually like both.
As for its rear camera array, it's very beautiful top and unique just like it's curved face. I have always loved the design Samsung came up with for the S Ultra series from S21U and later for it's camera arrays. My 2 favorite features on S Ultra are the cameras and S Pen. I do not use the front camera very often as I'm not very big of selfies but when I do take them, it has a great front facing camera. I'll let my cat take a selfish before taking one of myself.
It was my mother's S21U that got me addicted to the 100x Space Zoom and after several times playing with it on her phone and having to take photos with it for my mum whilst she is driving, I knew I just had to have one of the S Ultras. I think the first week that I owned my S22U, the world must have welcomed me with it because I had one photo opportunity after another, and not long after I got it, I walked around my neighborhood chasing a hot air balloon with the Zoom on my S22U like a little kid chasing an ice cream truck. I zoomed in pretty well on it from the ground and because I cannot drive, I went chasing it on foot and whilst I didn't catch up to it, I took a ton of photos of other stuff too. I have been a photographer for fun since the age of 17, starting with a Canon DSLR. I still have a Canon but primarily use the S22U. I bought the S22U because of the increase in demand from friends and family wanting me to take photos for them. I photographed several public events too with my volunteer organization as well. Before owning the S22U, I absolutely HATED cell phone photography! But the S22U has the same features and quality that my Canon and ots lenses have all in one place. I am addicted to taking photos with it and creating art with its S Pen.
That leads me to my other favorite feature out of my 2 top favorite features in the S22U. The S Pen. The difference in the latency rate on the S22U compared to my Note 20 5G has made the S Pen experience much smoother than my Note 20 5G. Both my S22U and N20 along with my Galaxy Tab, all feel as natural as pen to paper, but of all 3 devices, the S22U feels most natural in that aspect. I sometimes forget I'm using a smartphone. It's easier for me to write than it is to type or dictate text. My accent is too hard for my phones to pick up so handwrite to text works well for the most part and with all 3 of my Galaxies, it can decipher my messy handwriting both print or cursive. Due to my disabilities handwriting was always a struggle and I was mistreated during my school years by some schoolmates and teachers for poor hand writing, so I was afraid to write for the longest time especially on paper. One of my teachers had me turn in assignments via email as I did lessons with her via Zoom and commented how well my handwriting improved since using Galaxy Notes and she later gifted me with my Galaxy Tab S6 Lite. I carry all 3 Galaxies everywhere. Growing up, I always carries a sketchbook and pens so I went digital with that and Galaxy became my digital replacement. Family members and friends were impressed by how I can write, draw, paint and color on my Galaxies. Many of those impressed have been iPhone users. Had no idea you could do that with Samsung. My Dad is even impressed with my art as I draw stuff you would find on adult coloring pages with meticulous detail. I learned from watching short videos on social media. Of all the features the S22U offers, S Pen is my top favorite and most used. Also makes it easier to type when my fingers don't work well with touch screens and playing games is easier with some of them too.
I also enjoy the Galaxy Store and love playing with themes too. Also love OneUI and the design and the many different features on it. Samsung is just so cool with its software!
Only have one complaint with the S22U and that's battery life. Horrendous at times. Does not last all day sometimes. Any ideas to save juice would be appreciated. Note 20 5G has been the same way too. I do talk on it alot for phone calls as I do not have a landline. I opted out of having one. So S22U is my main phone.
Overall of all the phones I've owned the best experiences I've had have been with the S22U. It's full of endless creativity and fun and there's always something to do on it to pass the time. If you cannot afford the S23U, I highly recommend the S22U as it's very similar and many S23U features are on the S22U. It has helped me physically and emotionally to carry both the S22U and Note 20 5G. I hope others with the S22U enjoy it as much as I do. It has become my favorite phone so far!
