Samsung Drops S Pen Support in Z Fold 7: What It Means for Users and Productivity

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 arrives with plenty of bells and whistles, but there’s one conspicuous absence that has stunned fans and productivity users alike — S Pen support. Despite its larger screen and sleek design, Samsung has officially confirmed that the Fold 7 will not support the S Pen, a tool that has long defined the Note lineage and helped shape the identity of the Z Fold series.

Why the Z Fold 7 Dropped S Pen Support

Samsung’s decision to abandon the S Pen in the Z Fold 7 centers around a familiar tech narrative: portability versus functionality. According to Samsung’s statement to PetaPixel, the focus for this generation was on making the Z Fold 7 the thinnest and lightest in the Galaxy Z series. At just 8.9mm thick when folded, it’s impressively slim — but that apparently came at a cost. Samsung stated:

“While the S Pen remains a valuable part of the Galaxy line up, our priority with this latest iteration was delivering the lightest and thinnest Galaxy Z series experience yet.”

This reasoning hasn’t gone over well with many fans who saw the S Pen as a cornerstone of the Fold’s productivity pitch. From note-taking and sketching to photo editing and AI-powered features like Circle to Search, the S Pen was integral to the Fold experience.

The Significance of Losing S Pen Support

The S Pen has been compatible with the Galaxy Z Fold since the Fold 3. Though it was never bundled with the device, Samsung offered dedicated accessories like the S Pen Fold Edition and the S Pen Pro. Even the Slim S Pen Case introduced with the Fold 5 and 6 provided an elegant solution to house and use the stylus. These tools were especially beneficial for professionals, creatives, and users who preferred a tablet-like experience in a foldable form factor.

Removing this functionality without offering a meaningful alternative or rationale beyond thickness seems like a step backward. The Fold 7’s 8-inch AMOLED display arguably offers the best canvas yet for S Pen use. Yet now, it’s just that — a display, with no support for pen input.

A Pattern of Sacrifices?

Samsung has taken similar steps in the past. The Galaxy S6 series removed the microSD slot and water resistance, only to reverse those changes in the S7 after consumer backlash. Will history repeat itself with the Fold series?

Earlier this year, Samsung removed Bluetooth support from the S Pen in the Galaxy S25 Ultra, citing that only 1% of users utilized those features. These changes signal a shift toward minimalism, but possibly at the cost of loyal users and premium functionality.

Was S Pen Use Really That Low on the Fold?

Samsung hasn’t disclosed any data about how many Z Fold users actually bought and used the S Pen. It’s likely that the Fold series, being a niche product compared to flagships like the S25 Ultra, didn’t justify the continued support in Samsung’s eyes. But for those who invested in the Fold as a creative or productivity powerhouse, this change feels abrupt and unexplained.

What’s even more puzzling is that the Fold 7 uses the same materials as previous models, suggesting there’s no technical limitation that would prevent stylus input. So the exclusion appears to be a deliberate design choice — not a hardware constraint.

The Future: Will S Pen Return in Fold 8?

For now, S Pen enthusiasts are left in the lurch. But if public demand mirrors the backlash seen during the S6 days, Samsung may reconsider its stance. Whether it was declining sales or internal strategy shifts, the real reason may remain unknown unless the S Pen makes a triumphant return with a thinner Fold 8. Until then, Fold users will need to find alternative ways to stay productive.

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You Must Know:

• Why doesn’t the Z Fold 7 support the S Pen?
  The Z Fold 7 omits S Pen support to prioritize a thinner and lighter design. Samsung stated this was to enhance portability.

• Can previous S Pens be used with the Z Fold 7?
  No, the Z Fold 7 is not compatible with any version of the S Pen, including the Fold Edition and S Pen Pro.

• Was S Pen ever bundled with Fold devices?
  No, but past Fold models supported it as an optional accessory, and Samsung offered cases with S Pen slots.

• What alternatives do Fold 7 users have for note-taking?
  Currently, there are no official stylus alternatives from Samsung for the Z Fold 7. Users must rely on on-screen typing or external tools.

• Will Samsung bring back S Pen support in future Folds?
  It’s uncertain. If consumer demand increases or backlash intensifies, Samsung may reinstate support in future iterations like the Fold 8.