Galaxy S22 Ultra Leaks, The End For Samsung Note

The Samsung S22 Ultra ends the Samsung Note product. (photo: onleaks)

JAKARTA - The alleged renders of the Galaxy S22 Ultra have surfaced online. Apart from providing a glimpse of Samsung's next flagship, they have somewhat confirmed that the Galaxy Note line is finally meeting an unofficial end.

Rumors of Samsung killing off the Note line to focus on foldable devices have been making the rounds for a while now. While Samsung hasn't explicitly said so, recent product launches have sent the message that the Galaxy Note has been suspended for the foreseeable future.

The first sign of the demise of the Galaxy Note series came when the company launched the Galaxy S21 Ultra with S Pen support behind it. At the time, Samsung said the decision simply meant "expanding fan-favorite features to more phones" - which made sense from a business perspective.

A few months later, S Pen support was extended to the Galaxy Z Fold 3 foldable, a phone that Samsung claims will revolutionize the productivity aspect of smartphone use. If that sounds familiar, it's because the Galaxy Note follows a very similar product philosophy with stylus-centric features at the wheel.

However, neither device is equipped with a slot for a stylus holder, which is the hallmark of the Galaxy Note series phones. Well, that design exclusivity may end early next year with the arrival of the Galaxy S22 Ultra.

A number of alleged renders of Digit's Galaxy S22 Ultra (in collaboration with leaker @OnLeaks) have surfaced online. While the camera layout design will receive some scathing criticism, one design change in particular, is sure to excite fans. Just like all Galaxy Note phones from the last decade, the Galaxy S22 Ultra appears to come with a built-in stylus slot.

The design of the Galaxy S22 Ultra seems to be heavily inspired by the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra and the Galaxy Note 10 duo. The screen and back panel have subtle curves along the sides and meet the thin metal frame sandwiched between the two.

The top and bottom edges are flat and appear to have a metallic finish, the bezels are quite thin, and there's a hole at the top to house the selfie camera. Or in Samsung's marketing parlance, the Infinity-O design for its phones. Even the speaker grille, USB-C port, SIM slot and S Pen garage in the leaked renders of the Galaxy S22 Ultra occupy the same position as the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra.

While copying the design itself is an acceptable move, placing the S Pen in the built-in slot robs the Galaxy Note family of its standout features. More than just a feature addition to the Galaxy S line, it's a clear sign that the Galaxy Note phones are finally sliding into the sunset.

It's pretty clear to imagine that the Galaxy Note series will no longer have the same appeal it had a few years ago with its stylus-toting charisma when the Galaxy S series phones offered the same look, feel, and range of capabilities.

Instead of being saddled with three flagship lines, Samsung appears to be letting Galaxy S phones take the reins from the Galaxy Note, while foldable devices occupy the launch window usually reserved for the Note series.