Samsung now offers users to design their own smartphone 1:53
(CNN Business) --
Samsung's Galaxy Note line of smartphones appears to be discontinued.
But for those who miss it, the Note lives on in one of Samsung's new flagship devices.
The company announced during a virtual event on Wednesday its next generation of Galaxy S smartphones: the Galaxy S22, the Galaxy S22 Plus and the Galaxy S22 Ultra.
Devices with Android operating system and 5G connectivity offer what is expected of any new phone in 2022: improvements in the camera, longer battery life and new generation chips, among other features.
They are also more environmentally friendly, as they are partially built with reused plastic from the oceans.
The undisputed star, however, is the Ultra S22, which will look a little familiar to those who have owned the Samsung Galaxy Note, the "phablet" line that hasn't been updated in two years and never quite recovered from a massive recall. from the market in 2016 following reports of battery fires.
Galaxy S22 Ultra: this is the Galaxy Note you've been waiting for
The new 6.8-inch smartphone fuses the Note series, which has long attracted professionals and creatives that, yes, comes with the characteristic S Pen stylus integrated into the Note and borrows its great design, with the advanced camera and the performance of the Galaxy S line. The goal is to appeal to people who want one device to serve multiple purposes.
"The line between work and personal life continues to blur with smartphones, and fewer and fewer carry separate devices," said Ramón Llamas, director of market research firm IDC, referring to the S22 rumours. Ultra before the event.
"Smartphone owners don't want to lose the productivity and convenience, both personal and professional, of their devices. So putting the best of the Note with the best of the Galaxy lineup can appeal to everyone. customers".
The entire Galaxy S22 lineup has a lot going for it, from more camera controls and photography tools to a faster processor, longer-lasting batteries and more privacy controls.
But as with any update, Samsung will have to prove that its latest enhancements are worth it.
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The S22 Ultra, which is available in white, black, green and wine, starts at $1,199.
(For comparison, the iPhone 13 Pro Max starts at $1,099.)
The Galaxy S22 plus starts at $799, and the S22+ starts at $999 in the US.
The devices are available in black, white, pink and gold.
Pre-orders start on Wednesday and the device starts shipping on February 25.
Samsung remains the world's top smartphone seller, with a market share hovering between 20% and 22% for a couple of years, followed by Apple, according to market research firm ABI Research.
Third-ranked Xiaomi has massively increased its shipments over the past two years, as it targets markets outside of China, especially India and Europe.
Strategically, Samsung continues to experiment with its portfolio more than its rivals.
In addition to the Galaxy S21 smartphones launched last year, it has also launched a long list of smartphones, including the Flip and the Fold, that have taken their form a step further.
It also has its A-series phones for the general public, and its customizable "Bespoke" line for the Flip 3.
In the words of Llamas, "it is difficult to find other companies that innovate like Samsung."
Here's what the new Samsung phones have to offer.
S Pen stylus
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra and the S Pen stylus
Like previous Note smartphones, the 6.8-inch S22 Ultra features a thin and light frame, sharp angles and a wide screen.
But it's really the iconic stylus that will resonate with people looking to get the most productivity out of the device.
The S Pen now offers faster response time, the ability to save notes directly to Microsoft Office documents or Outlook emails, and its write-to-text feature supports 88 different languages.
a faster chip
At a time when Apple and Google are pushing their own chips, all three devices in Samsung's S22 lineup rely on Qualcomm's new 4nm processor.
Samsung says it's the most powerful chip it's ever used in a Galaxy product.
Samsung to Create 2,000 Texas Jobs with New $17 Billion Chip Factory
With the chip, Samsung's new devices promise faster speeds for simultaneous tasks across apps, games and video streaming over 5G.
The chip also boosts its AI technology efforts and machine learning algorithms, including its "vision booster," a new tool that automatically adjusts the screen to lighting and improves color contrast.
(This is a useful feature on a sunny day or when you're watching a video in bed late at night.)
Best Cameras and Photo Features
Possibly the most impressive part of the new range is the camera system.
On the back of the S22 Ultra, there are five cameras arranged in a P-shape. The S22 Ultra shoots 8K video and supports stabilization tools, which allow users to capture moving shots, and an auto-framing option to optimize focus. .
With its largest pixel sensor to date, the lenses capture more light and data even in the dark.
Another new feature, called Raw, allows users to customize all camera settings, such as choosing the right lens for the shot, adjusting the shutter speed, accessing raw files that may appeal to professionals, and having the option of zooming in 100 times to the subjects.
The Samsung Galaxy S22 smartphone
For its part, the Galaxy S22 and S22 + have a 50 MP main camera, a 10 MP telephoto lens and a 12 MP ultra wide angle lens.
Along with the S22 Ultra, the devices include automatic framing, support for night photography and an enhanced Pet Portrait mode feature, an AI tool that allows users to capture even the smallest details of a furry friend.
Privacy Boost
Just as Apple has made privacy a key selling point, Samsung appears to be doubling down on giving users more control over their personal data.
The Galaxy S22 series uses a company-owned security platform that isolates personal data such as passwords, biometrics, or Blockchain keys from the main operating system of the phone.
It also has a privacy panel and an indicator in the latest Android OS to see which apps have access to user data and the camera so that users can grant or deny permission to each app.
There is no "unimportant" information in terms of privacy, says Oxford University professor
new tablets
The company also showed off its three new tablets: the 11-inch Galaxy Tab S8 ($699), the 12.4-inch S8+ ($899) and the 14.6-inch S8 Ultra ($1,099), which They are powered by the same 4nm processor as Galaxy devices and are also compatible with the S Pen stylus.
The Galaxy Tab S8+ and S8 tablets come in graphite, silver, and rose gold, while the S8 Ultra is only available in graphite.
Pre-orders start Wednesday.
Samsung
