Motorola Edge 30 Ultra could challenge Galaxy S22 Ultra with new ‘Smart Stylus’

Motorola Edge 30 Ultra could challenge Milky way S22 Ultra with new 'Smart Stylus'

(Image credit: Tom'southward Guide)

After a yr as an optional accompaniment, the Southward Pen stylus is poised to become a core feature for the Galaxy S22 Ultra as role of the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S22 launch. Just information technology looks like that stylus/telephone combo won't be without competition from another Android device.

XDA Developers reports that Motorola is working on a "next gen" stylus with much of the same functionality equally the Southward Pen for its upcoming Motorola Edge 30 Ultra handset.

XDA Developers' source describes the Bluetooth "Smart Stylus" as "next gen" thanks to a feature fix that'south a pace upward from the 1 arranged with the Motorola Moto K Stylus, though that phone (pictured above) is marketed as a budget device. The new stylus volition offer support for both air gestures and wireless charging. Meanwhile, its button tin can reportedly be used for media controls, it can write directly into text boxes and it can also exist used as an air mouse with an external display.

Motorola Edge 30 Ultra Folio case and stylus renders — (Prototype credit: XDA Developers)

So far, then S Pen, but it looks like Motorola's vision for the smart stylus is closer to Samsung'south 2021 output than 2022— an optional accessory, rather than a core part of the handset that takes advantage of information technology. XDA Developers as well shared sketches of the Motorola Edge thirty Ultra'due south Page instance, where the Smart Stylus is shown poking out of a pouch on the back.

This probable indicates opposite wireless charging support from the phone, but having a stylus every bit a separate accessory is certainly not platonic, as buyers of the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra and Galaxy Z Fold 3 constitute out. South Pen support was included with both handsets, but there was no place to dock the stylus when not in use, requiring a bulky official case for storage. You tin use the pen without a dock, of course, but carrying the S Pen loose is a recipe for losing it.

Despite this unwelcome parallel, Motorola'southward Folio Example will apparently have a become at improving the Smart Stylus experience. XDA Developers explains that software triggers are in place for when the stylus is taken out, with the telephone switching on Bluetooth so it connects. You'll also reportedly take the option to choose what app automatically opens when the phone is either locked or unlocked. In improver, information technology'southward rumored that stylus will detect when it hasn't been in the case for a while and alert the user, in example it'due south been forgotten about.

Away from Smart Stylus functionality, Motorola'south case apparently includes a strip downward the eye, letting users come across notifications and answer/pass up calls without opening it up.

As for the phone itself, reports suggest that the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra will pack Qualcomm'south latest Snapdragon eight Gen 1 chipset, backed past either 8 or 12GB RAM. Information technology will plain feature a 6.8-inch 1080p OLED screen, and pack a triple photographic camera array with 50MP wide and ultrawide lenses, with an additional 2MP sensor for depth.

There's no word on a release date yet, but the similarity to the S Pen-toting Samsung Milky way S22 Ultra means that Motorola will likely decide to launch it sooner rather than later.

Freelance contributor Alan has been writing about tech for over a decade, covering phones, drones and everything in betwixt. Previously Deputy Editor of tech site Alphr, his words are found all over the web and in the occasional magazine too. When not weighing up the pros and cons of the latest smartwatch, you'll probably find him tackling his e'er-growing games backlog. Or, more likely, playing Spelunky for the millionth time.