Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 is arguably one of the sleekest foldables ever made. With a drastically thinner design, it breaks away from the bulkier profile that defined its predecessors. But this slim-down didn’t come without sacrifices—most notably, the removal of S Pen support. That’s right, the signature stylus that’s been a part of Samsung’s DNA since 2011 is gone from the latest Fold. And interestingly, rivals like Honor and Oppo have shown it didn’t have to be this way.
Thinner Fold Comes at a Cost
The Galaxy Z Fold series has always been criticized for its thickness. Over time, the competition—especially Oppo and Honor—started churning out foldables that looked and felt more like traditional smartphones when folded. This trend seems to have finally pushed Samsung to act.
So, with the Z Fold 7, Samsung went all-in on the thinness. It might even be the thinnest foldable yet. But to get there, Samsung dropped the Wacom-powered digitizer layer that enables S Pen support. Without that layer, there’s no native way for the Fold 7 to detect the stylus input.
Technically, the Fold series never had a built-in S Pen slot like the Galaxy Note series, but users could always buy the S Pen separately. It was still compatible. That’s no longer the case.
Why Is the S Pen Special?
Samsung’s S Pen is more than just a stylus. It’s a passive tool—meaning no battery or Bluetooth is required. It works seamlessly and instantly with compatible devices, thanks to Samsung’s long-standing collaboration with Wacom.
This partnership allows for:
- 4096 levels of pressure sensitivity
- Precise palm rejection
- Angle detection
- No charging or pairing required
Even if the S Pen’s battery dies (used only for Bluetooth features like camera shutter control), it still functions as a drawing and writing tool.
So Why Remove It?
To make the Z Fold 7 thinner, Samsung had to eliminate one of the two digitizer layers under the screen—the one that reads S Pen input. That second layer is what enabled pressure sensitivity and seamless palm rejection.
According to Samsung’s own executives, this was a tough call. The company even admitted that a future Fold model might bring S Pen support back in some form. So, this move may just be temporary.
Oppo and Honor Are Doing It Differently
What makes the Fold 7’s sacrifice more controversial is that Oppo and Honor have managed to build slim foldables with stylus support. The catch? They’re using active styluses.
Oppo’s Oppo Pen works with several of its foldables including the Find N2, N3, N5, and OnePlus Open series. Similarly, Honor’s Magic-Pen works with its super-thin Magic V2, V3, and V5 foldables.
These active pens:
- Require charging
- Connect via Bluetooth
- Offer pressure sensitivity and palm rejection
They’re not as seamless as Samsung’s passive S Pen, but they do offer similar functionality. In return, they work with thinner hardware since there’s no need for an extra digitizer layer inside the screen.
Could Samsung Adopt an Active Stylus?
Rumors before the Fold 7 launch suggested that Samsung was working on a new solution—likely something similar to Oppo and Honor’s active pen approach. But it didn’t show up at launch.
That doesn’t mean it’s off the table. An active S Pen could still arrive later and potentially be made software-compatible with the Fold 7, since it wouldn’t rely on special hardware layers. However, that remains unconfirmed.
Key Questions Still Unanswered
While we wait for Samsung’s next move, here are the lingering questions:
- Will Samsung release an active S Pen for thin foldables?
- Could such a pen work with the Fold 7 via a software update?
- Or will stylus support only return in future Fold generations?
For now, Galaxy Z Fold 7 users looking for stylus input are left without any real solution. Meanwhile, Honor and Oppo fans can enjoy the added functionality—even if it means keeping a pen charged.
FAQs
Does Galaxy Z Fold 7 support the S Pen?
No, it drops native S Pen support to achieve a thinner design.
Why did Samsung remove S Pen support?
To make the Z Fold 7 thinner, Samsung removed the digitizer layer.
Do Honor and Oppo foldables support styluses?
Yes, they use active pens that require charging and Bluetooth.
Will Samsung release an active S Pen alternative?
It’s possible, but no official alternative has been announced yet.
Can the Fold 7 get pen support via update?
Only if Samsung introduces a new active stylus compatible via software.
