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Samsung's Note line is dead, and the Z Fold 3 doesn't even support its S Pen

Updated: Aug 13, 2021, 9:13 AM

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Samsung's Note line is dead, and you can't even use its S Pen stylus on the Z Fold 3

Well, well, well, Samsung's August Unpacked event came and went with nary a whiff of its heretofore star participant - the next Galaxy Note line entrant that was to be the Note 20 heir apparent. Why?

Samsung's foldable phone craze, for once, as the company determined it a smarter strategy to provide S Pen tack-ons for the giant main display of the Z Fold 3 that can take a Note 20+ on its surface, and still have some inches to spare for side notes. Fairwell, Galaxy Note line, it's been good knowing ya!

Will my Note 10/20 stylus work on the Z Fold 3?

The bad part? You can't even use the Note 20 or other Note line S Pen stylus on the Z Fold 3. It turns out that Samsung created both dedicated Z Fold 3 styli - the S Pen Fold Edition one in its Flip Cover case, and the standalone S Pen Pro - with a retractable tip, so as to make it idiot-proof for those who'd write angry letters to their ex.

Scribble with the respective high amount of pressure, and the retractable tip goes into the two new S Pen models' body to avoid harm. Those 80% higher durability specs of the new Z Fold 3 display compared to Z Fold 2 apparently go mainly towards improved flexibility points, rather than hardening of the top cover.

Galaxy Z Fold 3 S Pen Edition vs S Pen Pro

Bluetooth only on the S Pen Pro
Z Fold 3 S Pen Edition is much lighter and shorter
Both feature retractable tips

Moreover, the S Pen Fold Edition and S Pen Pro styli have softer tips than the ones you are using with your Galaxy Note 20 or Note 20+, so that's another layer of foolproof protection compared to the regular Note line stylus.

Galaxy Z Fold Edition S Pen vs S Pen Pro

Thus, if you want the S Pen experience on your Galaxy Z Fold 3, you'd have to buy the authorized styli, and right now Samsung is offering a pretty breathtaking deal on exactly such "Z Fold 3 ecosystem package" that includes the Flip Cover case with the S Pen Fold edition tucked ingeniously in the hinge area to avoid adding bulk.

Preorder the Z Fold 3 bundle (w/ Watch 4 Classic, Galaxy Buds 2, Flip Cover with S Pen) up to $1100 off

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3

Ecosystem Bundle (w/ Watch 4 Classic, Galaxy Buds 2, Flip Cover with S Pen) at up to $1100 off!

$1100 off (46%) Trade-in Gift

$1309 ⁹⁶

$2409 ⁹⁶

Pre-order at Samsung

Samsung S Pen Pro

$99 ⁹⁹

Buy at Samsung

Z Fold 3 Ecosystem Bundle, at $500-$1100 off

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Daniel, a devoted tech writer at PhoneArena since 2010, has been engrossed in mobile technology since the Windows Mobile era. His expertise spans mobile hardware, software, and carrier networks, and he's keenly interested in the future of digital health, car connectivity, and 5G. Beyond his professional pursuits, Daniel finds balance in travel, reading, and exploring new tech innovations, while contemplating the ethical and privacy implications of our digital future.