Samsung recently faced criticism when it was discovered that the Galaxy Z Fold 7 does not support the S Pen stylus, a feature present in earlier foldable models. However, this might not spell the end for the accessory. Kang Min-seok, executive director of Samsung’s Mobile Experience Business division, has indicated that the company is actively working on the technology, potentially looking to reintroduce the S Pen in future iterations.
During the Unpacked event in New York on July 9, Kang stated, “We are researching and developing thinner and innovative technologies for the S Pen, so we will reconsider it when the level of perfection increases and there is customer demand.” This suggests that while the S Pen is currently absent, Samsung remains open to reintegrating it as customer preferences evolve. Kang described the Z Fold 7 as a device that involves trade-offs.
To achieve a thinner and lighter design, certain features had to be sacrificed. The S Pen capability was lost because the necessary elements for its functionality were removed in order to meet the desired thinness of the device. The Z Fold 7 measures 8.9mm when folded and 4.2mm when unfolded, a significant reduction compared to the Galaxy Z Fold 6 which had dimensions of 12.1mm folded and 5.6mm unfolded.
While Samsung has not guaranteed the S Pen’s return in future models, their investment in refining the technology indicates they view it as a possible addition beyond the Ultra versions of the S Series. If there is sufficient demand for the S Pen on the Z Fold, research and development could accelerate in preparation for the Galaxy Z Fold 8. Closing the discussion, Kang emphasized Samsung’s commitment to achieving a perfect balance in their products, hinting that the S Pen could still have a future in their foldable lineup despite its current absence.
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