The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 foldable has been introduced with a slew of enhancements, however one main function has been dropped solely.
Whereas we’re digging the Fold 7’s new slimline design and improved digicam, these upgrades seem to have come at a price.
In what Samsung tells us is a space-saving measure, Samsung has dropped S Pen compatibility altogether.
Slim proposition
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 measures simply 8.9mm thick when closed. That’s an enormous enchancment on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6’s 12.1mm.
We’re a greater than 26% discount in thickness by our estimation (OK, by a web-based percentage-calculation software).
This brings Samsung again into competition with the Oppos and Honors of this world. The Honor Magic V5, specifically, has been introduced with an 8.8mm closed thickness, so the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is correct on its tail.
Throw in a a lot improved digicam system – the Galaxy Z Fold 7 provides the Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely’s fabulous 200MP predominant digicam to the package deal – and Samsung was each drastically lowered inside area and a drastically elevated invoice of supplies.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
One thing’s gotta give
One thing needed to give, and that one thing seems to be S Pen help.
In eliminating the digitiser layer essential to allow to Samsung’s stylus to function on the show, Samsung has saved area, to not point out cash. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 prices precisely the identical as its predecessor right here within the UK, which nearly looks like a value minimize in right this moment’s economic system.
To be honest, this transfer was considerably predictable. Late final yr, Samsung launched the Galaxy Z Fold SE in its native South Korea. This Particular Version was primarily a thinned-out Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6.
So as to get that skinny new kind issue, Samsung needed to drop S Pen compatibility from the package deal. The writing was on the wall for the S Pen from that time.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Goodbye S Pen, you’ll be missed (type of)
To a sure diploma, it’s disappointing to see S Pen compatibility stripped out. It’s by no means good to see options taken away relatively than added, irrespective of how out of date they could have develop into. Apple’s 3D Contact cull with the iPhone 11 nonetheless stings to at the present time.
There’s additionally a case to be made that Samsung’s S Pen makes extra sense on the Galaxy Z Fold vary than it does on the Galaxy S Extremely. It gives a a lot greater canvas, in any case, and everyone knows that styluses and tablets are a match made in heaven.
However when it’s in service of fixing a basic flaw with a product’s kind issue, it’s a lot simpler to swallow. For many individuals, Samsung’s foldables had been just too unwieldy to be usable day after day.
Apart from which, Samsung clearly has the information at hand, and S Pen compatibility clearly wasn’t a generally used function on the Fold vary.
In fact, that will nicely have modified if the corporate had chosen to combine the S Pen correctly and bundled one in with each Fold, like with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely. But it surely appears now we’ll by no means know.