Samsung’s Stylus Upgrade Lacks S Pen Storage: The Rationale Behind It
Samsung’s 2023 S Pen showcases a sleeker profile compared to its predecessor; however, the company explains that thinner might not always be superior for its distinctive stylus.
The Galaxy Z Fold 5, Samsung’s latest book-style foldable phone, has captured attention with its slimmer design, featuring a hinge that allows the phone to fold completely flat. Its pivotal companion, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 S Pen Fold Edition, has also undergone a weight reduction.
During a press roundtable held in Seoul, South Korea, Samsung revealed that the stylus’ radius has decreased from 7.4mm to 4.35mm, nearly matching the size of the Galaxy S23 Ultra’s S Pen. This represents a 41% reduction in thickness compared to last year’s S Pen Fold Edition. Samsung achieved this feat through an internal exploration to determine the feasibility of integrating the S Pen into a Galaxy Fold phone.
Nevertheless, Samsung is actively exploring the possibility of creating an even slimmer stylus than the new S Pen Fold Edition, primarily with the aim of accommodating the accessory within the foldable device itself.
“We will delve into this matter not merely from a technological standpoint, but also considering the user experience,” remarked Won-Joon Choi, the head of Samsung R&D Office Mobile Experience Business, during Thursday’s press roundtable. “Because when you’re writing, you need to feel as if you’re using a pen. If [the S Pen] becomes too thin, that sensation may not be desirable.”
Although Samsung has supported the S Pen since 2011 with the original Galaxy Note, Choi asserted that designing a stylus for a foldable phone poses distinct challenges, including creating new tip materials that won’t damage the foldable’s flexible display and mitigating any magnet interference from the phone.
Choi further emphasized that designing the S Pen entails unique considerations compared to designing a foldable phone. For the foldable phone to gain widespread acceptance, Samsung believes that portability is one of three essential prerequisites it must fulfill. However, with the S Pen, portability could potentially compromise usability, given that Samsung designed the stylus to replicate the experience of writing with a real pen.
S Pen Still Lacks a Permanent Home
Ever since the Galaxy Fold 3 debuted with stylus support in 2021, a recurring narrative emerged: if Samsung integrates the S Pen, it would elevate the Galaxy Fold lineup to the ultimate productivity device. Fast forward to 2023, and the S Pen still cannot be directly docked onto the new Galaxy Z Fold 5, which is now even thinner than before. Samsung’s current solution is the $100 Galaxy Z Fold 5 Slim S Pen Case, which allows you to attach the stylus to the back half. (To be fair, the case has also slimmed down, as its name suggests, and could serve as a stylish workaround if you’re holding out for the S Pen storage dream).
During the roundtable, Choi highlighted the challenges of reconciling conflicting desires regarding the future design of the Z Fold. One camp desires an even thinner book-style foldable phone, which would necessitate an even slimmer S Pen for integration. On the other hand, some people prefer the next Z Fold to be thicker, allowing for seamless S Pen integration. However, a thicker foldable would undermine its portability, which constitutes one of Samsung’s core design principles.
“Deciding on the ideal form factor and user experiences to meet diverse needs requires careful consideration,” Choi remarked. “We need to strike the right balance in these areas.”
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