If you have used an iPhone mainly then you will feel overwhelmed with answering calls on the Samsung. It is a matter of learning the settings, for example you can set it where you answer a call just by picking up your phone. This can be switched off, this is the advantage of Android phones over iPhone, they have more options to tailor your handset to your liking. Take a look at the screenshot I took from my s24 ultra as an example.
My Bluetooth earbuds and headphones all connect straight away without issue, I have even managed to connect my airpods pro 2 via Bluetooth to my S24 Ultra and they even connect flawlessly when removed from the case.
As for Samsung using outside apps to make things work I don't understand what you mean exactly? Samsung like Apple have their own appstore and apps like mail, calendar, text, etc. Both phones use outside apps to make things work so not entirely sure what exactly you mean?
I personally use iPhone and Samsung phones but I have noticed that iPhone user's are used to using a simpler setup so they struggle with using Samsung devices and don't always know how to.
An iPhone is like an automatic car and Samsung is like a manual car, far more control and the ability to do so much more.
You would need to put the time and effort into using your Samsung because instinctively you are so used to using iPhone and the way it works and the layout you are not used to the Samsung way of doing things.
- last edited by
AntS
Tks, Tec - yes, I have the cable - - but it fits nothing that I had so had to go buy a 'LIGHTING" cable.
Your statement about being able to change setting to answer is my problem - why do you HAVE TO change something just to be able to answer the phone. Why would someone want to do so?
As for Bluetooth - neither the carrier, Samsung or the manufacture can solve the problem. Manufacture said they are having a problem with the Ultra. And something that just doesn't make sense is that I get a sound in my hearing aids when a text comes in, but no speech on a call unless I go through the whole process of setting up again both the hearing aid app and the phone.
Anyway,tks - I just like simple. 
I just want to talk, text, take a few pics - nothing fancy. And I always found a manual shift was just fine.
Tks - take care - jb
To be honest, I don't remember if my S24 Ultra came with a cable. (I have so many chargers and extra cables, that's not an issue for me.)
As an historical note, it was Apple who first stopped putting chargers in the box when buying a new phone, that was in 2020, I believe; Samsung followed suit.
Advice from an old guy, give the phone a few more weeks, read up on the operating system, watch some YouTube videos, and rethink your decision.
I bought a Samsung Classic Watch4 a few years ago, my first smart watch, and it took me some time to figure it out.
If an old guy like me - and I'm doing exactly the opposite of playing the age card - can figure out these new fangled devices, you certainly can.
There's a learning curve with every new device. Give it two more weeks and if you're still dissatisfied, try and sell the phone. (If you had purchased the phone directly from Samsung you could have returned it for a full refund, that's why I tend to buy directly from the manufacturer.)
