I am thinking of going from Samsung S22 ultra to iPhone 16 pro max but need some answers first

I will try to handle of few of your concerns:

• iPad does not receive Text Messages - The iPad is not capable of receiving/sending SMS messages on its own. You can use iPhone Message forwarding to allow the iPad to use your phone network for SMS messages. A Cellular iPad is only for cellular data for internet connections and SMS does not work over cellular data. The iPad does not have a phone number to send or receive phone calls.
• WhatsApp for iPad - WhatsApp does not provide an app for the iPad. WhatsApp requires a phone number to register an account and the iPad does not have a phone number to make or receive call/text messages. You can use WhatsApp on the iPad using the web, but you need to link it with an iPhone. There is no additional charge to use WhatsApp on the web and it sounds like you were looking at some companion app not provided by WhatsApp that charged a subscription for some unknown service. They do have an app for the iPhone.
• iPad Keyboard in middle of screen - On the iPad, you can have the floating keyboard that appears anywhere on the screen if you want or in the normal location on the bottom of the screen. It seems you have activated the floating keyboard and this support article should help with your options. The iPhone always has it on the bottom of the screen.

Move the iPad onscreen keyboard - Apple Support

• Screen Glare - Of course Screen protectors are available and you would have to compare at the Apple Store to see if one is really needed. I have not needed anyone at the Apple Store install a screen protector, but you could always ask.
• How many apps in the Dock - You can have 4 apps in the dock that will be available on every Home Screen and you can organize any screen however you like.
• Transferring Files - Use AirDrop to transfer files/photos between Apple devices wirelessly. Its a breeze.

To conclude, the iPhone camera has had rave reviews and has been used to shoot music videos, commercials and even some short movies. I respect Samsung's camera as well, but I don't think you will be disappointed. There is a little learning curve that everyone is having to get used to with the new camera controls in the iPhone 16, but like anything else, after a short amount of time you will be using it like a pro.

Give it a shot, you have 14 days to try it out and if it does not meet your needs, then you can return it for a full refund.

Not familiar with the Texty app, but you are correct WhatsApp does provide an app for the Mac and iPhone. They specifically have not allowed the app to be downloaded to the iPad even though it would take very little work on their part and in most cases iPhone apps will work on the iPad with no additional work, but they still must allow it to be downloaded to the iPad. Users have asked for it on their iPad for a very long time now, but for some reason they have not budged and simply tell users to use the web version on the iPad and link it to a phone.

You might want to hold off about two weeks. There are a lot of reports here in the discussion section of the 16 pro max camera app crashing the device, just do a search. Looks like it may be fixed with 18.1, which should be released soon in final release (there is a beta 18.1)