If you've just gotten a Galaxy S Ultra with S Pen If you're thinking of getting one, you're probably wondering how much you'll actually use the stylus. Beyond the visual appeal of detaching it from your phone and hearing that addictive little click, the truth is it's a very powerful tool for everyday use, work, study, and leisure. If you want to learn how to get the most out of your stylus, take a look at... how to get more out of the stylus.
The aim of this article is to break down, in detail, what you can use the Galaxy S Ultra's S Pen for. (and other compatible Galaxy devices), explaining each function clearly, with practical examples and lesser-known tricks. You'll see it's useful for much more than just taking notes: from remotely controlling the camera to managing your Smart TV or using air gestures that turn the S Pen into a true magic remote.
What exactly is the S Pen and how does it work?
The S Pen is the advanced stylus developed by Samsung for its high-end Galaxy devicesIt's not just a simple capacitive pointer: it integrates a pressure detection system with up to 4096 levels, allowing for a writing and drawing experience very similar to that of paper, with finer or thicker strokes depending on the force you apply.
In current Galaxy S Ultra models, the S Pen is stored in a compartment integrated into the phone's body.So you always have it with you, and it recharges automatically (on Bluetooth models) while docked. When you remove it, the system detects it instantly and displays a floating menu on the screen with the most common functions.
Some variants, such as the Galaxy S Pen Pro, add full Bluetooth connectivity.This allows you to use it as a remote control for presentations, to control the camera, or to interact with certain apps without touching your phone. Thanks to this connection, the S Pen recognizes both touches to the screen and the movements you make in the air by holding down its button.
This stylus isn't just designed for the Galaxy S Ultra.There are also specific versions for tablets like the Galaxy Tab S6, S7, and S8, as well as for other devices such as the Galaxy Z Fold and some Galaxy Book laptops. Each device has its own S Pen model to ensure full compatibility of the tip, sensitivity, and advanced features.
S Pen compatibility with Galaxy phones, tablets and laptops
Samsung has extended the S Pen ecosystem to several devices in its premium catalog.Among the most notable are the Galaxy Tab S6, Galaxy Tab S7, and Galaxy Tab S8 tablets, and models such as the Galaxy tab s6 litewhich integrate a magnetic area on the back where the stylus attaches and recharges wirelessly.
In addition to tablets, the S Pen is available and compatible with mobile models such as the Galaxy S23 Ultra and the different generations of Galaxy S Ultra.as well as with foldable devices like the Galaxy Z Fold4 (and later compatible variants) and certain convertible laptops like the Galaxy Book3 360. On these devices, the stylus becomes a very useful tool for taking quick notes, drawing, or signing documents as if it were a notebook.
It's important to always use the S Pen designed for your specific model.Although some styluses may work in a basic way between different Galaxy devices, to enjoy all the advanced features (gestures, Bluetooth, full sensitivity, low latency) Samsung recommends using the model created specifically for each tablet, smartphone or laptop.
When you combine multiple compatible Galaxy devices, the S Pen becomes a common thread of productivity.You can start a sketch on the tablet, continue a note on the mobile, or tweak a presentation on the laptop, maintaining the same writing feel and taking advantage of the integration with Samsung Notes and other apps in the ecosystem.
Taking notes with the S Pen on the Galaxy S Ultra
The most obvious function of the S Pen on a Galaxy S Ultra is to write handwritten notes directly on the screenAs soon as you take the stylus out of the phone, a floating panel appears, known as Air Command, where you will see among the first options "Create note" and "View all notes".
From “Create note” you can instantly open a blank page to write down anythingQuick ideas, a shopping list, meeting notes, or a study outline. Samsung's Notes app lets you change the pen type, line thickness, and color, and add elements like images, typed text, or voice recordings.
One of the standout features of the Galaxy S Ultra is the ability to write on the screen even when it's turned off.If you enable this feature in the settings, simply remove the S Pen with the screen off and start writing directly on the black screen. The phone creates an instant note, which you can then save to Samsung Notes without having to unlock the device or open any apps.
Writing with the S Pen has clear advantages over taking notes with a keyboard.You can make quick strokes, underline, draw arrows, diagrams, or small drawings without switching modes. Then you can convert your handwriting to digital text, organize your notes into folders, and sync them with other Galaxy devices to always have them at hand.
For those coming from a phone without a stylus, such as a Galaxy S24+ or another model, the key to taking advantage of the S Pen is to integrate it into your daily routine.: take notes during calls, jot down tasks while reading emails, or replace many paper notes with digital pages that don't get lost and that you can search by keywords.
Screenshots, cropping, and smart selection
The menu that appears when you remove the S Pen is fully customizable.so you can place the functions you use most often there. Among the most powerful options is "Smart Selection," a tool designed to crop any content you see on screen.
Smart Selection lets you use the S Pen to delimit a specific area of the screen While you have any application open: a part of a website, an image from a social network, a fragment of a document, etc. That snippet instantly becomes a screenshot that you can save as an image, pin to your screen, upload to the cloud, or share via messaging.
If there is text in the capture, the system is able to recognize it.This way, you can copy it to the clipboard and paste it into another app, or translate it into another language without having to type anything by hand. It's especially useful for addresses, references, order numbers, or long paragraphs that you want to reuse.
Another striking feature of Smart Selection is the ability to create animated GIFs from a video. that you have playing. Just select GIF mode, mark the screen area, and let the system capture for a few seconds. When finished, you'll have an animated file ready to save to your gallery or share on social media.
Combining cropping, text recognition, and translation, the S Pen turns the Galaxy S Ultra's screen into a kind of Swiss Army knife for capturing information. of any app: you can build notes from articles, save only the interesting part of a presentation, or quickly extract important data from a document without downloading the whole thing.
Configure the S Pen menu and add extra features
One of the strengths of the S Pen is that its shortcut panel is not fixed.From the device settings you can decide which tools appear when you take out the stylus, rearrange them, or add new functions according to your preferences.
Among the most recommended features to incorporate is the "Translate" function.This should not be confused with the full translation app. This tool works by hovering the tip of the S Pen over a word or phrase on the screen; the system displays the translation in a small overlay box, without needing to switch applications.
This instant translation is very useful when you read content in another language. And you miss the meaning of a particular term. Instead of copying and pasting into another app, simply hover your stylus over it. You can configure the source and target languages to suit your needs (for example, from English to Spanish).
Another interesting function to add to the menu is “Enlarge”When activated, the S Pen tip acts as a digital magnifying glass, enlarging a specific area of the screen as you hover over it, without having to zoom with your fingers. It's perfect for reading small print or focusing on details in an image.
You can also include shortcuts like Bixby Vision.This feature, similar to Google Lens' image search, lets you select a portion of a photo or the screen with the S Pen so the assistant can identify objects, places, products, or text. For example, you can search for a clothing item similar to one in a photo or recognize a monument in an image.
Using the S Pen with the Galaxy S Ultra camera
One of the most popular functions of the S Pen is using it as a remote camera shutter release., ideal for take photos with the S PenThanks to its Bluetooth connectivity, you can place your phone on a tripod or propped up on something and take photos without touching the screen, perfect for group selfies, travel photos, or social media content.
Out of the box, the center button of the S Pen is usually configured to open the camera with a double press.This means that, even with the screen locked, you can take out the stylus, double-click the button, and launch the camera app in seconds, without having to search for the icon or perform complicated gestures.
Once inside the camera, the S Pen can be used to take the photo with a single press of the button.This prevents vibrations when you touch the screen and allows you to position yourself more freely within the frame. It's especially convenient when using ultra-wide-angle mode or long zoom to capture scenes from afar.
But the possibilities don't stop there: the S Pen supports air gestures to control different aspects of the cameraWith the button pressed, you can perform vertical or horizontal movements that the mobile interprets as commands to switch between front and rear cameras, alternate capture modes, or modify filters, depending on the configuration you choose.
For example, sliding the S Pen along an imaginary line up or down can be used to switch between the main camera and the selfie camera.Swiping from left to right might switch between photo and video modes, or activate another mode like portrait or slow motion. These gestures are customizable to suit how you use the camera.
Air gestures and configurable S Pen commands
Beyond the camera, the S Pen's air gestures can be applied to many compatible appsAll these movements are performed by holding down the stylus button while moving it in the air, without needing to touch the screen.
On the camera, a circular gesture in the air can be used to control the zoom.If you draw a circle clockwise, the phone zooms in, while if you draw it counterclockwise, it zooms out. This allows you to zoom in or out on an object without touching the screen or the volume button.
In music and video apps, the same gestures can be repurposed as playback controls.For example, a horizontal movement can skip to the previous or next track, while a vertical movement can raise or lower the volume. A single press of the button could play or pause the content.
The great advantage is that these commands are configurable in most compatible applications.From the S Pen's advanced function settings, you can assign which gesture performs which action in each app, so you can adapt the pen's behavior to Spotify, YouTube, your favorite video player, or even presentations.
In presentations, the S Pen becomes a very practical remote pointer.You can advance slides with a gesture, start or stop a recording, or point to elements on the screen while giving a presentation. This makes it especially useful in professional or academic settings where you want to move freely without being glued to your laptop or phone.
Control your smart home and Samsung devices with the S Pen
If in addition to your Galaxy S Ultra you have other Samsung smart devices, such as a Smart TV or connected appliances, you can take the use of the S Pen to another level by integrating it into home control.
Samsung offers an app called Good Lock with a module called Routines+ which allows you to create advanced automations. Through this tool, you can link S Pen gestures or specific pen actions to routines that run across your ecosystem of connected devices.
For example, you can set up a routine so that a specific gesture of the S Pen turns the TV on or off.You can adjust the lighting in a room or change the temperature of a thermostat connected to SmartThings. In this way, the stylus goes from being a mobile accessory to functioning as a kind of magic wand for your home.
The key is to have all the devices you want to control registered in the Samsung SmartThings app.Once added, Routines+ lets you create rules like: “if I perform this gesture with the S Pen, then turn on these lights” or “if I press the pen button in this app, change the TV mode.”
This type of use is less well known, but tremendously useful for those who have opted for a smart home with Samsung devices.It allows you to centralize common actions into a single gesture, avoiding having to navigate through different menus or look for the right controller each time.
Practical ideas for using the S Pen more in everyday life
If you're coming from a phone without a stylus, like a Galaxy S24+, it's normal that at first you might not be sure how to integrate the S Pen into your routine.Many users only use it to take the occasional note and little else, but the accessory offers a lot of possibilities if you make it part of your daily routine.
A good way to start is to use the S Pen for everything you used to do with a pen and paper.To-do lists, ideas that suddenly pop into your head, meeting notes, study outlines, or even little doodles while you're thinking. The simple fact of being able to write without unlocking the screen already encourages you to use it more.
You can also take advantage of it in more specific situations.For example, taking notes while watching a video or online course, highlighting and annotating PDFs, or copying and translating snippets from websites in other languages while reading. A stylus makes many of these actions faster and more accurate than using your fingers.
In the creative field, the S Pen shines with drawing and editing applications.You can sketch ideas, color illustrations, precisely retouch photos in small areas, or even practice digital calligraphy. Pressure sensitivity and low latency make the experience feel very natural, especially on large screens like those of the Galaxy Tab.
Over time, you'll find yourself using the S Pen almost without realizing it.For selecting text with precision, scrolling through long websites without covering the screen with your fingers, signing digital documents, or navigating the interface in situations requiring maximum accuracy. Ultimately, it becomes an extension of how you interact with your Galaxy.
As you explore its features for notes, advanced captures, air gestures, remote camera control, and smart home automationThe Galaxy S Ultra's S Pen goes from being a simple, curious extra to a central tool that enhances productivity, creativity, and comfort in the daily use of the device.
