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Galaxy Z Fold 3 S Pen integration may require some trade-offs

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By Anam Hamid

Updated: Jan 05, 2021, 8:48 AM

Galaxy Z Fold 3 S Pen integration may require some trade-offs

Samsung's next foldable flagship, the Galaxy Z Fold 3, is widely expected to offer S Pen support. This could lead to some design changes, according to display industry insider Ross Young.

The Galaxy Z Fold 2 features a 7.6 inches main display and a 6.23-inches cover screen. Young says that the Galaxy Z Fold 3 will be equipped with slightly smaller displays to make room for the stylus.

Although the upcoming Galaxy S21 Ultra will also likely be compatible with the S Pen, it will not have a dedicated slot for the stylus. The Galaxy Z Fold 3, on the other hand, is tipped to have a compartment for storing the S Pen, just like Note series phones do.

Samsung had previously said that it intends to make its foldable phones thinner and lighter, but S Pen integration has apparently come in the way, which means the Z Fold 3 will not be any slimmer than its predecessor.

My Xmas leaks - Galaxy Fold 3 - main display shrinks from 7.59" to 7.55". Cover display goes from 6.23" to 6.21". Need more space for S Pen.
Galaxy Z Flip 3/Flip Lite - grows slightly from 6.67" to 6.70". 120Hz and LTPO on the Z Flip 3.
— Ross Young (@DSCCRoss) December 24, 2020

Per one report, the phone will come with a thicker ultra-thin glass (UTG). This would enable it to withstand stylus pressure.

An earlier rumor had suggested that the Fold 3 would be Samsung's first phone to feature an under-display camera. Young claims Samsung is trying to make that happen, but also cautions that there is no guarantee that it will happen.

Galaxy Z Flip 3 could offer better specs at a lower price

Most reports say that Samsung will release three foldable smartphones in 2021. It's a given that the Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3 are in the pipeline, but there is disagreement when it comes to the third device. Some leakers allege that the third device is the Z Fold Lite. Young, on the other hand, says it's the Z Flip Lite.

According to him, the Z Flip 3 and its stripped-down variant will have a slightly larger display than the Z Flip 5G. The Flip 3 will also allegedly flaunt a 120Hz screen and the LTPO tech.

Core hardware specs of both devices largely remain a mystery, but it's safe to assume that they will have Qualcomm's latest flagship chip under the hood. The Z Flip 3 will reportedly arrive in Q2 2021, and the Fold 3 could break cover in June.

As for the price, the Fold 3 will likely retain its predecessor's hefty price tag, and the Flip 3 will allegedly be more affordable than the Flip 5G.

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Anam Hamid is a computer scientist turned tech journalist who has a keen interest in the tech world, with a particular focus on smartphones and tablets. She has previously written for Android Headlines and has also been a ghostwriter for several tech and car publications. Anam is not a tech hoarder and believes in using her gadgets for as long as possible. She is concerned about smartphone addiction and its impact on future generations, but she also appreciates the convenience that phones have brought into our lives. Anam is excited about technological advancements like folding screens and under-display sensors, and she often wonders about the future of technology. She values the overall experience of a device more than its individual specs and admires companies that deliver durable, high-quality products. In her free time, Anam enjoys reading, scrolling through Reddit and Instagram, and occasionally refreshing her programming skills through tutorials.

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