Samsung Galaxy Note 22 rumor just got killed — but there’s good news

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra with S Pen
(Image credit: Future)

Another nail appears to have been hammered into the coffin of the Samsung Galaxy Note line, with prominent leaker Ice Universe claiming that “Note is over, but it's not over. S becomes Note!”

If Ice Universe is correct, we'd take that to mean that the features of the Galaxy Note will be integrated into the Galaxy S series, as seen already with S Pen support for the Galaxy S21 Ultra. And that's a positive move.

Why? Well, while I like the Note phones, I do feel the Galaxy S-series' Ultra versions renders them a tad moot. And for ease of choice, I’d much rather Samsung has one do-everything phone a year, rather than two with minor differences.

For the past few months, the Samsung Galaxy Note line had been looking dead for all intents and purposes. But a brace of rumors — again from Ice Universe — appeared to give it the kiss of life recently. The first claimed that someone had seen “evidence of the existence of the next-generation Galaxy Note,” while the second had supposedly seen a frame intended for the Note 22. 

I took those earlier rumors with a hefty dollop of salted skepticism, as I could see no reason why Samsung would bring back the Note phones when it now has foldable devices flying the Galaxy flagship flag. 

I’ve already written about how I'm sad at what's basically the death of the Galaxy Note, and I do hope Samsung does indeed find some way of keeping the DNA of its stylus-toting phone in future Galaxy phones. I see no reason why a Samsung Galaxy  S22 Ultra couldn’t have an S Pen compartment. 

But while Samsung hasn’t firmly closed the door on the Galaxy Note line, it has said in no uncertain terms we won’t get a Note phone this year, as it’s concentrating on foldable phones, and appears to be doing so for the foreseeable.

Now, I have my own concerns about the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3, and not just because it has a fiddly name; it’s too bulky and expensive. But it’s still a cool bit of tech, even impressing non-techy people who see it in action. So I can understand why Samsung would want to focus on building out its foldable phones rather than work on what are effectively Galaxy S-series phones but with added extras and a beautifully boxy design. 

If future Samsung foldables can trim the phone down a little and integrate an S Pen holder into the chassis, I think there’ll be some Note fans who’ll wipe the mournful tears from their eyes and glance furtively at such a folding device. After all, as impressive as Note displays are, they can’t deliver the expansive screens that Fold phones have. 

All that being said, I’d not place a huge bet on the Note never making a comeback; I can totally see Samsung coming up with some anniversary version of the Note a few years down the line. But time will tell. And in the meantime we have phones like the Google Pixel 6 to look forward to, an Android phone I’m particularly excited about

TOPICS
Roland Moore-Colyer

Roland Moore-Colyer a Managing Editor at Tom’s Guide with a focus on news, features and opinion articles. He often writes about gaming, phones, laptops and other bits of hardware; he’s also got an interest in cars. When not at his desk Roland can be found wandering around London, often with a look of curiosity on his face. 

Read more
Galaxy Z Fold 6 shown in hand
Galaxy Z Fold 7 may bring big S Pen changes — here’s what we know
Galaxy s25 Ultra concept design by Technizo Concept on YouTube
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra S Pen could get downgraded — what we know
Using the stylus on a Galaxy S25 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra S Pen should be sold separately — here’s why
Galaxy s25 Ultra concept design by Technizo Concept on YouTube
Forget Samsung Galaxy S25 — Galaxy S26 just tipped for this huge battery upgrade
Galaxy S25 Ultra render and iPhone 16 Pro Max.
I'm a lifelong Apple user, and I’m not convinced the Samsung Galaxy S25 will be worth the switch — here’s why
Samsung Galaxy S25 vs the Galaxy S24
Samsung Galaxy S25 vs Galaxy S24: Biggest upgrades
Latest in Samsung Phones
Showing the front of a Galaxy S25 Ultra held in hand
One UI 7 will arrive late for US Samsung users — here’s when it’ll launch for you
samsung galaxy s25 edge mockup at galaxy unpacked
Galaxy S25 Edge is overhyped — I want Samsung to make this phone thinner instead
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Older Samsung phones are finally getting One UI 7 — here's all the devices
The iPhone 16 Pro Max (L) and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra rear cameras
I took 200 macro photos with Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs. iPhone 16 Pro — here's the winner
Try Galaxy home screen on iPhone 16 Pro Max
You can now try Samsung's latest One UI 7 software on your iPhone — here's how
Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge back
Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge price comes into focus with latest leak
Latest in News
NYTimes Connections
NYT Connections today hints and answers — Thursday, March 20 (#648)
A phone with the Plex logo in front of an out-of-focus background of movie posters
Yikes! Plex is getting a price hike and this key feature is going behind a pay wall
back of Iris Pixel 9a
Google Pixel 9a pre-orders delayed due to 'component quality issue' — here's when you can get one
An open lock depicting a data breach
Half a million teachers hit in major data breach with SSNs, financial data and more exposed — what to do now
Sony A95K QD-OLED TV in front of windows in a living room
This new TV breakthrough looks like a game-changer for OLED TVs
Apple iPhone 16 & 16 Plus hands-on.
Forget USB-C — a truly portless iPhone just got the all-clear from the EU