ICYMI: We try Samsung’s S Pen / Case for Galaxy S21 Ultra

Samsung brought its S Pen to the Galaxy smartphone range for the first time this year. This week we were able to take a look at the new S Pen / case combination for the S21 Ultra and we found it capable but not as refined as we would expect. We also played around with Fujifilm’s mirrorless X-T4 and good things to report on the retro-looking camera. Speaking of retro, gamers who still have their original Game Boy should go watch Deadus, an indie horror game who take pre-orders for a physical release.

Samsung fans who also want a stylus have had a great option in the Galaxy Note series, and the company’s S Pen is apparently popular enough that Samsung brought it to the new Galaxy S21 Ultra. The new S Pen / case combo aims to make the stylus live longer by packing it in a case for the Ultra handset.

But Chris Velazco has found that this solution leaves something to be desired. This is not due to the pen itself, which is larger than the traditional pen. Chris actually likes the pen: he finds it comfortable to hold and use to write notes and shortcut options. However, this version of the stylus does not have air gestures and camera controls (a Pro model that will appear later this year has the features). The biggest drawback here was the case, which easily picked up different pieces of fluff and dust and made the substantial handset more uncomfortable. The left-hand position of the pen made it a bit awkward for right-handed users, and Chris was concerned about the durability of some finishes around the loading ports. Since this is the only case with an S Pen, it is still a great option for those who want to use the stylus with the S21 Ultra.

When James Trew was looking for something to update his beloved but older Canon 550D, he naturally asked his co-workers here on Engadget. They sent him to the Fujifilm X-T4, which Steve Dent reviewed last year. The X-T4 is a 26.1 megapixel mirrorless camera with a fold-out screen and body stabilization, and also has a retro styling that James especially likes. In his review, Steve mentioned the quality of the camera, the excellent video quality and the fast recording speed.

Since using it, James has also found much praise in the X-T4. He was specifically looking for a reliable camera with a solid collection of lenses that would work well for video and that could absorb a lot of light. He reports that the IBIS (Image Stabilization in the Body) has helped to produce images with impressive clarity and balance. The X-T4 gives him a lot to experiment and work out – a process, he says, is just as rewarding as the good photos it delivers.

Deadus has been available for some time and deserves fans of those who like retro games, dark indie titles or both. Pre-orders are now being taken for a physical release on the original Game Boy. Players like James Trew enjoy the contrast of the Pokémon-like graphics and playing style with the dark themes of cult, ritual and murder. Your character has three days and 11 potential endings to determine how to appease an angry, meat-hungry god.

Although James said that it is possible to put an end to it in less than two hours, he also mentions that the time mechanic brings into the game new things to find and discover with each new day. It will also change your strategy as you discover more details about the story you have chosen to follow. The creator of the game, Adam Birch, is an artist by profession and told James that the idea for Deadus comes from a cartoon he was working on. James said the macabre and predictable design of the game draws the player out of the cozy RPG atmosphere and into the strangeness of the storyline – and that players who like the hardware or genre should definitely play it.