Samsung considers returning S Pen support to future Galaxy Z Fold models
Samsung is working on a way to bring back the digitizer for Galaxy Z Fold models while keeping the book-style foldable thin.
Samsung considers S Pen support for future Fold models | Image by PhoneArena
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3, Z Fold 4, Z Fold 5, and Z Fold 6 featured internal foldable displays that supported either the S Pen Fold Edition or S Pen Pro. Those models did not have a silo to house the digital pen, and even though the S Pen could work with those book-style foldable phones, they did not ship with it.
S Pen support, missing from the last two Galaxy Z Fold generations, could return in the future
The last three book-style Samsung foldables, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the just-announced Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, do not support the S Pen. Samsung reportedly got rid of the digitizer for those three models in order to give them a slimmer build.
But the S Pen might make a comeback on a future Fold model, according to Samsung Executive Vice President HS Moon. Ahead of this week's Unpacked event, Moon spoke in London about the possibility of the S Pen's return to the Fold family. In a rather long sentence, Moon pretty much confirmed the reason we gave you in the last paragraph as to why Samsung dropped support for the digital pen.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6, the last Fold model to support the S Pen. | Image by Samsung
"Our decisions are always shaped around the priorities that we have for that generation (of foldable phones), and for this generation, our priorities were about offering foldables that were slimmer, lighter, and basically more portable devices that also offer large viewing experiences," Moon said in comments that went through an interpreter.
Samsung Executive Vice President says the company will keep an eye on how customers respond to the move
But the executive also said that Samsung will explore innovative technologies that would allow a digitizer to work with a future Galaxy Z Fold model and keep a slim form factor. He also said, and this is important, that Samsung will keep an eye on customer reactions to the removal of the S Pen, pointing out that Samsung is always "committed to providing the maximum user experience."
If Samsung doesn't have the lead in global foldables this year, who will be at the top?
Would you be willing to have your Galaxy Z Fold feel a little thicker in exchange for S Pen support? After all, that is what it all comes down to. There is also a feature found in the Galaxy S26 Ultra that might find its way onto a future Fold model, and that is the Privacy Display.
Other advanced technologies could be coming to Galaxy Z Fold models
The Privacy Display was developed to keep bystanders from reading the data on your phone screen over your shoulder. Anyone who cannot read the display head-on, which is typically only the person holding the device, will not be able to read all or pre-selected parts of the display. For example, the user can choose to have the entire display protected or have only notifications hidden by the feature.
Regarding the Privacy Display, Samsung's Moon says that the company is exploring the possibilities of expanding its advanced technologies across its lineup. We'd imagine that this would include adding a feature like the Privacy Display to the Galaxy Z Fold line.
Why Samsung might be feeling some additional pressure this year
Of course, Samsung is going to be feeling a little pressure this year once Apple unveils its first foldable iPhone, dubbed the iPhone Ultra, this coming September. With the Apple iPhone-Samsung Galaxy feud expanding into the niche foldable market, Samsung is no doubt hard at work looking for ways that it can keep and possibly increase its market share in foldables.
Last year, Samsung owned a leading 40% of the global foldables market, with Huawei in second place with a 30% slice of the pie. According to Counterpoint Research, when the door is shut on 2026, Samsung will remain the leader, albeit with a reduced 32% market share. Apple will debut in second place with 25% of the market globally, just topping the 24% that will be owned by Huawei.
Samsung will remain on top of the global foldable market, according to Counterpoint. | Image by Counterpoint Research
For those of you who rue the day that Samsung removed the S Pen from the Galaxy Z Fold line, it does appear that the company is working to bring the accessory back as soon as it can figure out a way to have the digitizer coexist with a svelte body.
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