I wouldn't recommend any Samsung products these days. I used to be a diehard Galaxy Note Enjoyer, but these days I just recommend getting an affordable Xiaomi.

The last good samsung phone was the unlocked s5:

removable battery IR emitter ip68 only 72cm screen size

change my mind

I work at a phone store, it's the best phone we sell screen-wise, camera-wise, and battery-wise. I'm sure you've seen the price without a trade in, but you could also buy from a carrier with a multi-year payment plan (which also means your device would be carrier locked); that'll bring your price down like $250 from what I've seen. Check out the XDA Forum page for it and the TWRP website if you want to get into the really cool stuff. As far as downsides I'm not a huge fan of the pen because personally I'd lose it and in the stock software configuration it is full of AI shit. But bottom line it's a fantastic device if you can afford it.

I haven't used a Samsung since they cracked down on using aftermarket ROMs to extend the lifetime of the phone.

If you are interested in recommendations I would suggest, in this order:

• A Pixel 7a or 8a. This has the best aftermarket ROM support so you can use either GrapheneOS or CalyxOS. These have very good low-level security and privacy controls. For example, disabling network access for apps by default and not having Google services back-end creeping on you.

• A refurbished OnePlus from the last few years. Usually pretty good ROM support, especially Calyx.

• A Xiaomi or Huawei. Less good ROM support but your hardware threat model is decreased, particularly with newer Huawei's. Good quality to price ratio, too.

Yeah of course it's going to be good, it's the flagship Samsung phone along with the Fold series. The camera, screen, and performance will be top of the line. The main question you should be asking is if it's good enough to justify the price you're going to pay for it, it's a pretty expensive phone.

Have Samsung fixed their bloating batteries?

I have a S22 Ultra and I like it. The pen comes in handy for me because I still like to write stuff since.

It’s ultra good

I have one and it's fine. The stylus is kind of fun. It does smell like burnt plastic if you get really close to it though.

my relatively new samsung started displaying the water droplet icon that makes charging it impossible. usually it went away after a while (a few hours) but since the last update it just stayed on permanently, effectively making the phone unusable. had to replace the usb port.

my huawei was fine for like 5 years (still usable now because i had to go back to using it), samsung started doing planned obsolecence after less that a year. go to hell samsung.

I bought the note 20 ultra when it came out. I'm never buying a new flagship phone again.

I don't need a super expensive phone when I'm just gonna be doing the same shit with it I was 10 years ago.

S23 Ultra is the same phone but cheaper