Summary
Samsung’s latest foldable flagship, the Galaxy Z Fold 7, delivers a slimmer, lighter design with larger displays — but at the cost of a fan-favorite feature: S Pen support.
This marks a turning point in the company’s approach to stylus-equipped smartphones, sparking debate about whether the iconic accessory is quietly being phased out.
Why the S Pen Is Missing from the Galaxy Z Fold 7
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is the first of its kind to match the closed dimensions of a regular smartphone while still offering expansive inner and outer displays.
Achieving that ultra-thin profile required sacrifices, and the S Pen was one of them.
Samsung revealed that the technology needed to detect stylus input adds thickness, making it incompatible with the Fold 7’s new design goals.
This move follows a broader trend — in recent years, Samsung has gradually reduced the S Pen’s capabilities, signaling that stylus use may no longer be a priority.
From Galaxy Note Glory to a Niche Accessory
The S Pen first appeared in 2011 with the Galaxy Note, blending smartphone convenience with PDA-style precision for note-taking and drawing.
Over the years, it gained advanced features like hover navigation and camera control, outpacing even Apple’s Pencil in certain aspects.
Support extended to the Galaxy S Ultra line in 2021 and to foldables starting with the Galaxy Z Fold 3.
However, the Fold series required a softer-tipped S Pen to avoid damaging its flexible display — a sign that the accessory was already adapting to survive.
Declining Interest in Stylus Features
In 2022, Samsung officially retired the Galaxy Note line, integrating S Pen support into the Galaxy S Ultra and select foldables.
While this kept the stylus alive, its audience seemed to shrink.
The Galaxy S25 Ultra dealt another blow by removing all Bluetooth-enabled stylus features, like remote camera control, citing low user engagement.
Now, with the Fold 7 completely dropping support, the S Pen’s future looks uncertain.
Stylus Phones Could Follow BlackBerry’s Fate
The decline of physical keyboards after the iPhone’s debut is a cautionary tale.
Once essential, they became niche, eventually disappearing from mainstream devices.
The S Pen might be heading down the same path — limited to premium models or sold as an optional tablet accessory.
It’s possible the Galaxy Z Fold 8 will reintroduce stylus support, but Samsung’s recent choices suggest that slimmer designs and broader market appeal may outweigh the value of keeping the S Pen alive in smartphones.