At a high-profile New York unveiling, Samsung took the wraps off its Galaxy Z Fold 7, a device that boasts a sleeker frame, beefed-up internals, refined screens and a reinforced construction. By shaving off a few millimeters of thickness and trimming the weight, the company has doubled down on portability without skimping on performance.
Yet one feature everyone expected has quietly vanished: stylus support. Since the Fold 3, Samsung had marketed the S Pen as a powerful tool for professionals and creatives who wanted a full-size display with pen input. Removing this capability marks a clear departure from the series’ established identity and leaves longtime pen users scrambling for alternatives.
In the fast-evolving foldable market, each manufacturer wrestles with competing priorities: robustness, battery life, weight and input options. While some brands continue to champion stylus functionality, the drive toward slimmer designs and more reliable hinge systems can leave little room for the pen’s storage slot and circuitry.
From my perspective, this decision likely stems from an internal rebalancing of space and resources. By reclaiming the area once reserved for the S Pen silo, Samsung may have been able to bolster cooling, fit in a larger cell or simplify the display’s laminations. Though it could drive down production costs and enhance longevity, it also risks alienating power users who bought into the foldable-pen ecosystem.
Ultimately, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 represents a bold bet on streamlined portability over pen-driven productivity. If Samsung’s hope is to broaden its appeal and strengthen device durability, time will tell whether this trade-off resonates with enough customers. For those who’ve grown attached to jotting notes and sketching on their screens, the pen’s absence is a noteworthy shift in the evolving story of foldable innovation—and a reminder that every design choice shapes how we interact with tomorrow’s gadgets.
