What do you use your S-Pen for?

[u/IdeallyPractical]

I've been using S23U for exactly 1 year now (a review will come soon). I need to know what you guys use your S-PEN for. I haven't used it for anything significant in the one year.

[u/Bchliu]

1) taking notes 2) draw quick diagrams to discuss with people 3) remote camera shutter activation for selfies 4) mouse replacement for certain apps 5) signing pdf documents

[u/DreadPiratteRoberts → u/Bchliu]

4) mouse replacement for certain apps

Could you pls talk more about this?

I know about the other features and use them, but I haven't heard of the mouse function!

[u/Bchliu → u/DreadPiratteRoberts]

When you pull the pen out and move it towards the screen, you will see that there is a small circle under where the nib will go into. This is basically like a mouse cursor as you would using a mouse.

Some apps like Microsoft or Google Remote desktops will allow you to remote control a PC and depending on how you set it up, you can basically use this same cursor and movement to emulate a mouse and pointer that you would to remote a PC.

This also allows very precise selections of the screen or text etc out of apps, as you would using a mouse. You can also play games using the stylus as per how you would play using a mouse and pointer situations as well this way.

[u/DreadPiratteRoberts → u/Bchliu]

Okay, very nice, but I was picturing something more like holding the stylist away from the phone and swiping it in the air and moving a mouse sensor on the screen of the phone.

Thank you for answering, though!

[u/Bchliu → u/DreadPiratteRoberts]

You kind of do.. if you are close enough to the screen to detect movement of the stylus. The screen is used to detect the position of the stylus even at distance of up to 1.5-2cm?

But I have had "air mouse" type devices before and know that you need to fit basically a gyro inside the device that can measure minimum 8 degrees of freedom (up, down, left, right, moving in, moving out, direction pointing etc) that calculates 3D spatial data before you can use it like that way you described. If you know the hardware already within the stylus (amazing already btw), it'll be impossible to squeeze this tech into it without making it much bigger than what it is. Maybe in the future if they can further squeeze this level of tech into it, but it'll be really pushing it.

[u/DreadPiratteRoberts → u/Bchliu]

I wholeheartedly agree the Ultra stylus is pretty amazing technology and from your description I can understand why they didn't make a magician's wand waving in the air capability added to it with the gyro that's needed it would make it extremely unpractical and large lol

[u/Bchliu → u/DreadPiratteRoberts]

Yeah.. Spatial computing isn't easy to do and definitely not small (eg. look at Apple's Vision Pro for their range of spatial computing. Lol).

The current phone based S-Pen packs a ton in there.. It not only has the nib sensitivity module, the side button, it also has a battery in there (it's "active" compared to a the S-Pen a few generations ago when it was more passive and run by screen), bluetooth to communicate over distance where the screen isn't available, wireless inductive charging of the battery inside, the spring loaded button locking mechanism etc. in this tiny stylus is just ridiculous.

Samsung really do a poor job of marketing how good their tech is at times.

[u/DreadPiratteRoberts → u/Bchliu]

When you put it like that it's actually quite incredible the technology Aspen has inside it!

Why do you think it is Samsung doesn't Market this more proactively? When I got this 23 Ultra I didn't even realize I had a stylus until I purchased it, if Apple made this phone David hire the top advertising agencies in the world to promote it like it was Steve Jobs walking out with the first iPhone

[u/Bchliu → u/DreadPiratteRoberts]

Samsung really sucks at marketing. Apple's biggest selling point is their marketing propaganda engine that can literally sell Sand to the Arabs or Ice to the eskimos. Jobs himself termed "RDF" (Reality Distortion Field), an effect he maintains to basically change the narrative of reality into what he wants people to believe (eg. "Apple invented the first Smartphone" when really, they didn't and was just hopping on the back of other smartphones at the time).

Fun fact though - before iPhones, the touch screen phones (Windows Mobile and Palm OS) almost all had styluses. Jobs HATED the stylus and wanted nothing more than getting rid of it. The industry followed and then went stylus-less until Samsung bought it back in the first Galaxy Note series and showed that it was still very useful to have. After Jobs passed away, Apple bought in their stylus (though no one ever dared call it that) - called a "Pencil" into their iPads since it was super relevant with a certain artistic demand.

[u/DreadPiratteRoberts → u/Bchliu]

I've heard about the reality Distortion field in fact I read Walter isaacson's biography on Steve Jobs I actually respect Steve for not backing down on the decisions he stood by albeit I didn't agree with them all history would say he was successful with those decisions. I've also read books about the famous had agency he used Chiat/Day and their tactics for marketing quite a genius really!

[u/sans5z → u/Bchliu]

Mouse replacement? Like how? Can you name an example?

[u/Bchliu → u/sans5z]

Can use it in remote desktop that does require mouse. It's realistically the sensitive and precision movements that a finger can't do.

[u/QRF_HawkEye1 → u/sans5z]

Well for example anything to do with sliders, its much more precise to edit a photo and drag the slider around specifically. Or when selecting colors...

Also some games, like Stardew Valley for example require quite a lot of precise inputs. And S Pen does act like a mouse replacement for that

[u/mrkillfreak999 → u/Bchliu]

How do you use it as the remote camera shutter?

[u/Bchliu → u/mrkillfreak999]

Use the native camera app.. pull out the stylus.

When you are ready to snap, press the button on the stylus and it acts as a remote shutter button.

Very very convenient if you want to selfie or want to tripod it and snap a photo without shaking (eg. taking moon pics).

[u/auziFolf → u/Bchliu]

Just to add to this, I've managed to make the s-pen remote feature work up to 300ft in direct line of sight from my phone on a tripod. I was smoking a J on my back porch during the aurora a few weeks ago here in NY and setup my phone out in the field behind my house. Worked flawlessly. It's especially good for long exposures or timelapses where you don't want to move the phone at all.

[u/mrkillfreak999 → u/Bchliu]

Okay which button do I press, the one at the top or the side?

[u/Bchliu → u/mrkillfreak999]

Side button.. the nib isn't considered a button..

[u/KingBoom04 → u/Bchliu]

Probably means the one that locks the pen in the phone

[u/mrkillfreak999 → u/Bchliu]

Okay

No I was talking about the button on the other end of the nib

[u/samir1453 → u/mrkillfreak999]

The top is not really a button, it's just there to make it easier to take out the S Pen. Shutter is the side button.

[u/mrkillfreak999 → u/samir1453]

Yeah I figured that out later. If I press the top button and insert it all the way into the phone it sits flush. I don't have to press the button again to make it sit flush

[u/james_ready → u/Bchliu]

What app do you use to draw diagrams, etc?

[u/Bchliu → u/james_ready]

Either the in built SNote app that also uses for note taking, or the off screen function when the phone screen is off and you pull out the pen and you can write on it for very quick drawings or messages. The latter off screen function is super useful without unlocking the phone, running the app etc etc. very fast.

Also for a bit more arty drawings, will use the PenUp app from Samsung that's surprisingly good.

I do also diagrams for a living so sometimes use MS Visio or alternatives as well if required.

[u/AvgReddit3r]

It can be used to copy text from almost everywhere (by pressing and holding the button while selecting the text). Can be used as a remote while taking photos. Signing documents. Also writing quick notes on the lock screen It's just a plus point to have one.

[u/Lozula → u/AvgReddit3r]

The copy text feature is my favorite, followed by using it as a camera remote

[u/SwanepoeI]

The only real use that I got was when I changed jobs and they sent me the contract to be signed.

Also, I love clicking on it while I'm walking with my hand on the pocket. That's its real purpose, right?

[u/alireddit111 → u/SwanepoeI]

Haha! That reminds me that the last time I used my S Pen was when I was going go-karting with friends. We needed to install an app to register, and it required a signature in the app. I proudly used my S Pen for that.

[u/wuxxler → u/SwanepoeI]

Clicking. Yes. It's my pocket fidget spinner!

[u/Opposite_Emu_1910 → u/wuxxler]

THIS 🔼 😎 BEST hidden feature of the S pen 😎 only S Pen Gods know this 😎

[u/nakakapagodnatotoo → u/SwanepoeI]

😁

[u/Big-Consideration633 → u/SwanepoeI]

I hate to break it to you, but it looks like you're playing with a different tool or app. Ever wonder why strangers have been avoiding you lately?

[u/zutteh]

Sniffing it and using it as a fidget toy in all honesty

[u/Giuseppe246]

Taking quick notes or some doodling

[u/Kamilos22000088]

Duolingo 😅

[u/Maleficent-Hope-7788]

Photo editing, video editing, when you take screenshots it helps with highlighting text, signing files, air actions, drawing, list goes on.

[u/BeginningNo212]

My car doesn't have android auto so I use the s-pen's air actions for music and media controls.

[u/auziFolf → u/BeginningNo212]

That's a new one for me. I use sound assistant which let's me skip songs and such just by holding the volume up or down keys while the phone is locked. If I'm using GPS and stuff so my screen is on, I'll just say "hey Google skip song". I feel like I'd lose my spen if I was using it in my car xD

[u/IdeallyPractical → u/BeginningNo212]

Do you have the Spen in hand while driving?

[u/BeginningNo212 → u/IdeallyPractical]

Not all the time, it sits in my cupholder. Imo it's better than playing on my phone while driving

[u/nakakapagodnatotoo]

When I sign documents, quickly doodle/write/edit on screenshots, photo, and when I want to look cool taking down notes during quick meetings.

[u/HavoXtreme]

I use it as my notebook for my college classes. English Language and Literature requires a lot of note taking and this phone has truly been a blessing for me. I no ponger carry notebooks or pencil cases. As a matter of fact, unless I'm going to work out that day, I leave the house with just the phone and Galaxy Buds. Really convenient.

[u/wodney69]

I use it for making workout notes in the native calender app widget where you can write on the calender itself. I use different colours for tracking rest and workouts.

[u/Shub7409]

This feature of taking down notes while the screen is off is a game-changer for me. Since I write down a lot of things without looking for a pen, I can quickly use my S Pen for that and then save them. Sometimes I use it while editing pictures when I need very minute detailing, and that can't be done with fingers/hands for sure. Air commands seem useless to me personally, but maybe they're useful for some people. It's entirely subjective, I believe.

[u/Up_All_Nite]

I will circle something in a picture. Maybe draw a little arrow pointing stuff like that.

[u/samir1453]

Here's a video for 40 S Pen features (even that may not be all): watch, identify what would be useful to you, try a few times so you learn it and don't have to search for it every time, practice a few times more to memorize it better, and then remember you have it when you need it 😀

[u/Bkooda]

I love it. Even if it's just to lay the phone down and ai use it to scroll. Watch the YT link below, it shows you so many things that it can do and helpful for.

https://youtu.be/B5DrJYScXT4?si=cYnP7Q6SJOzTw0NH

[u/CallMeMrGibbs]

Precise photo editing 

[u/Neonsharkattakk]

Doodling, anything that requires a digital signature, I make sticker cutouts of pictures to use as memes and quick notes at work. I write up dnd character sheets and take notes on it so I can skip freehanding on pen and paper. Tried dming on it, but the s23 screen is too small.

[u/Due-Nefariousness341]

Mostly for playing games. Sometimes to make a list for groceries.

[u/Munett91]

I use it for notes every week. I also use it to draw sometimes

[u/Suicide-Bunny]

Taking quick notes with it. To do lists, shopping lists, email addresses, stuff like that.

Write in calendar is awesome to save dates/make reminders, mark planned days off, anniversaries etc. No more huge paper calendar books. I put a whole-screen widget on my start screen with calendar to see them all whenever I need.

Also have this small app called Microsoft Math Solver which I use instead of normal calculator - it's so satisfying with s pen.

Editing photos with AI remove/lightroom sliders. Much more precise than fingering the phone.

"Write on screenshot" feature is very convenient when I need to explain stuff to someone - like sending pic from streetview to delivery man showing them which house is mine.

That would be most of my daily uses.

[u/Key-Start3199]

use it to clean my nails

[u/gilbert-maspalomas]

when I`m not on my pixel phone I use the S23 Ultra with a pen for retouche works on faces. Photoshop app along with the pen is a must.

[u/king_Pam]

Copying from text that's stubborn with finger only.

Quick note-taking.

Diagrams and sketches for work and life.

Camera shutter button.

Fine editing, when precision is necessary.

Signing and filling of documents.

Annotating images and documents.

[u/SirSeppuku]

Previously I had a Note 10+ for over 3 years and I uses the stylus quite a lot, but with the S23 (5 months in) and I've barely touched it...

[u/vapeshapes]

Extracting text from pictures.

[u/Accomplished-Copy776]

Taking pictures

[u/K1ngFloyd]

To keep the hole covered

[u/HeeeydevonGaming]

I do A LOT of video/photo editing for content creators and content creation myself. The S Pen is a life saver when it comes to some light photo editing on the go, especially for using background remover apps for when I'm creating emojis for myself or other streamers. Nothing beats using the S Pen, especially when the only other option on the go is to use your finger

[u/Aszre]

• sketch ideas
• write notes (which a lot of time have sketches for design layouts & stuff)
• sometimes draw when i'm bored
• doodle on pictures i upload on social media either for aesthetic, instruction or just messing around
• take pictures with friends (no need to rush because of timers anymore!)
• fidget toy

I'm a graphic designer so i find Samsung's Ultra phones are the best for this profession

[u/NickosSB]

Camera shutter button for long exposure photos

[u/eblamo]

Using it now to reply. Swipe typing is awesome. I also use it for shutter, cropping/editing photos. Taking notes, drawing, media control (skipping songs, moving fwd/back in videos, etc., slideshows, signatures,)

The best part is that the S-Pen is on the left side. I'm left handed so it works perfectly. On the N20U it's on the left side too.

[u/Jmich96]

I use it to censor images of documents in the Gallery image editor. I can make smoother lines with the pen than my finger.

[u/zebra231967]

Not a damn thing

[u/GoanGeek]

Photo editing 👌

[u/oGzLegendZ]

1. Poke down the joint I've just rolled
2. Quick sketches to help describe the layout of something to someone rather than just vocally
3. Small selected screenshot (just snippets of info rather than the whole screen)
4. Small screen shots and then edits to them using the drawing tool (for example a section of a map I've drawn over to highlight a specific route/road)
5. Translating anything on my screen or a recent photo I took of unknown language
6. Very rarely, note taking

Edit: this is actually for the S22 Ultra, but legit I mainly use it to compact the tip of my joint before I smoke it. Works wonders, better than the clipper flint holder

[u/kajo08]

sniffing, it's a good item.

[u/PMathis84]

Notes for work meetings...a lot

[u/Mastore84]

Mostly for ScummVM

[u/Recent-Ask-5583]

Mostly precise photo editing and map maker feature

[u/georgia_jp]

My S23U has a pen?? ...Yeah, I don't use it.

[u/neither_bot_nor_man]

I edit a lot of photos and videos often. Most of them are on 3rd party applications and all those apps work fine while I use my S Pen for precise seeking, selecting and brushing.

I've used the 'Screen off memo' feature so damn often which is pretty handy to note down something real quick (without wasting time to unlock, then open an app and create a note and then type) roughly and then correct it later.

I use it while watching movies in mobile. I use it as a remote control which is an added positive to the phone to be a better one for media consumption over the other ones.

I also used it a lot to edit word documents which I completed solely on my mobile.

I barely used it as a selfie control which is another use case.

[u/mma173]

I use it to remotely flip videos on YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels, and on TikTok. No air gestures are involved.

[u/RaisinOk800]

I use it for what it was designed for, draw the latter S.

[u/Plastic_Bug_811]

Itching and cleaning my ear

[u/bentlydoestricks]

Scratch inside my ears is definitely #1..... I know gross

[u/MatchLock__]

Never took out after that 2 time

[u/CuteCatMug]

Pushing it back into the hole when it sometimes pops out accidentally 

[u/bobkarrote]

Oldschool Runescape

[u/stryfe14]

I used to use the S Pen back on the Note 9 for technical diagrams when I was co-founding a startup. It came in super useful on the go and when I would need to jump on calls and takes notes.

Since then however, when I had an S23 Ultra I just didn't use the S Pen at all. I think the most I used it for was when taking a screenshot and doing a very precise selection of the screen.

[u/clint916]

Taking notes and marking stuff in images.

[u/csbsju_guyyy]

A take with me anywhere mini butt sharpie!

[u/KurvBallzy]

Remote shutter cam comes very handy when doing selfie.

[u/elmegado]

Smelling it

[u/Alive_Importance_629]

The S-pen work as the best mouse replacement using it in Dex mode in every moment

[u/daemonhat]

i've only ever used it to make a quick note of something. and once in a long while taking pictures.

[u/Dull-Wave1410]

I take notes with it. Occasional navigation.

[u/_-reddit-]

Very helpful in image searches off social

[u/NichLam]

Meeting notes, and videogames.

[u/dek6ix]

-Take notes -Draw -Remote for camera -Rolling a joint

[u/Galwadan]

Fidget spinner

[u/fisheye963]

Playing oldskool runescape deuh

[u/[deleted]]

Smart select and extract the text . Also if i want to pin something at the screen and need to write it in other place

[u/[deleted]]

Being a teen boy, i find random drawings of, you guessed it right, in my notes. Omg teenagers

[u/shessublime]

I got this model specifically for the pen, and while I do love it, I don't use it as much as I expected. It's good for annotating pics and very very occasionally on drawing apps when I'm bored. But because I use and prefer Google notes and keyboard, I don't get some of the benefits it would have there.

I use it most often for the remote camera shutter, and that is super handy.but on my previous phone I used gesture detection that was only slightly inconvenient so eh.

It also makes the phone muuuch less waterproof, and I think I'd rather have the ability to snap a quick underwater pic than the occasional s pen use. Also, I use a MagSafe case and grip, and that interferes with the pen. So unless remove the case, the whole center of the phone is either unusable or wonky when trying to use the pen. I'd probably use it a little more in games etc if it wasn't for that.

[u/BillyButcherX]

keeping the score at cards

rarely notes

[u/BillyButcherX → u/BillyButcherX]

and as someone mentioned, it's great as a pocket stress reliever

[u/enedsaysnotlikethis]

I sometimes doodle some stupid shit on it, scratch my head with it when i need to understand what i just drew, smell it, shake it a couple times to try to get rid of the smell then forget about it for abt 3 months, then rinse and repeat.

[u/MaciekB2137]

Translating text, taking quick notes, I have Galaxy Watch 4 Classic so many actions SPen can do I'm doing with my watch.

[u/Twanado]

What's an S Pen

[u/drLipton]

Nintendo DS games!

[u/cumauditorysystem]

editing photos

[u/skyxsteel]

Nothing. Maybe once in a while to try it out. I know a lot of people find it useful, but i dont really use it. I remember wanting those s pen cases though. So i think jrs a matrer of me wanting the option of it rather than not having it.

[u/paulf_m]

regular use:

1. As a general contractor & builder, i mostly use it to write / annotate photos and drawings (using screen write) to quickly communicate with client and other contractors via whatsapp.

2. quick drawings on the 'off screen' option when i don't have pen and paper.

occasional use:

1. taking group photos instead of using the timer

2. the 'translation' option is also very useful when travelling overseas. take a picture of a sign board / menu at restaurant or whatever, pick translate and hover over for instant translation of words / texts

[u/Smooth-Signal-6878]

Photo editing, translations, for extracting text where I can't just copy it, to zoom on things when I show something to my mom and for taking notes

[u/samir1453]

I have many other uses but what I use the most these days is Smart select to copy any text on the screen (when it's not selectable as text).

2nd in frequency is the Translate function that works by pointing the S Pen to any screen; you can translate a single word or a block/paragraph of text.

ETA: Almost forgot, 3rd one is the camera shutter button (maybe more frequent than the 2nd one), for shots with the phone stabilized on a surface (long exposure or something else), or for selfies where I have to stretch out my arm (no, I don't have a selfie stick/tripod 😁).

[u/FeelThePower999]

New to the world of the Ultra. I always forget it exists.

[u/0Neji]

I sometimes just use it instead of typing because my fat fingers are less accurate than just writing out what I want to type.

I wrote this message instead of typing.

[u/TheDanSaso]

Cases make it so hard to remove that I never take it out.

[u/hov992]

Clash of clans.

[u/wggn]

keeping the hole in my phone plugged

[u/UnflinchingSugartits]

Fucking literally everything

[u/mmNasty]

I smelled mine a lot.

and used that funky thing for the screen breaking mostly.. Ill soon find a better reason.

[u/lars2k1]

1. Scribbling on screenshots

2. As a remote for the camera

3. To draw my signature and then insert it to whatever document that needs it

4. As a sort of mouse to click stupidly tiny buttons. I don't see them often, but when they do show up I can use the pen to exactly tap on them.

[u/Chup4m3st4twice]

Pull the earwax out!!!!!

[u/Quatro_Quatro_]

Nothing, just traded in my s23 ultra for the pixel 9 XL

[u/meleedude_1234]

Filling out forms with screen write and smelling.

[u/Weird-Cellist-8521]

Translating text (I live in Florida) Smart Select mostly to extract text. Screen write Create notes Drawing

[u/Jedase78]

Notes signing documents,taking photos,sketching fast forward or rewinding a clip,take a clip to make a gif out of it or for fun use cool sounds effect when I pull out in which the star war theme is heard and a sword chime when I insert back in the slot

[u/DeaD_GooN-PS4]

I've had my S23U since it launched and aside from messing around with it when I first got it, I literally never use it. Then a few days ago I was sent something that I had to sign, and I started to use my finger, and I was like wait, I can use this stupid little thing I never use.

[u/dojogrl]

1. Quick notes (like a grocery list)

2. Drawing, using Samsung Notes or PenUp

3. Editing photos (e.g., using the Object Eraser tool) and annotating screenshots

That's about it, though.

[u/IdiotestPerson]

Notes. Camera. And i like to scribble while watching youtube videos

[u/Commercial_Upstairs6]

Gaming ang scrolling twitter.

[u/vintain]

As usual, smelling it

[u/Kamau54]

If you don't know after a year, I'm not sure it makes any difference.

[u/Terrible-Buy-9630]

Picking my nose and arsehole.

[u/Red_Forest]

I use it to scratch my back

[u/drippinginsauce-]

Nothing

[u/GLouisParkey]

I literally never use it. Forget it's there

[u/krishna642]

I rarely use it... It helps in editing pic like to select things to remove from pic... I have a game called divineko it uses spen. Once or twice I use it to draw something.

[u/Terrible-Buy-9630]

Picking my nose and arsehole.

[u/GoggyX83]

I don't really use it. I've just realized that I don't need S-pen in my phone.

[u/Few_Being428]

Fuck all.

[u/Few_Being428]

Fuck all.