Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 5 lacks S Pen storage.
Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 5 lacks S Pen storage.
Samsung’s Thinner Galaxy Z Fold 5 S Pen Fold Edition
Samsung’s latest book-style foldable phone, the Galaxy Z Fold 5, has stolen the spotlight with its sleek and thinner design. The phone boasts a hinge that allows it to fold completely flat, providing a unique and versatile experience to users. But it’s not just the phone that has undergone a transformation – its accompanying accessory, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 S Pen Fold Edition, has also slimmed down, shedding significant weight compared to its predecessor.
During a press roundtable held in Seoul, South Korea, Samsung revealed that the S Pen Fold Edition has undergone a remarkable reduction in size. The stylus’ radius has been reduced from 7.4mm to a mere 4.35mm, similar to the size of the Galaxy S23 Ultra’s S Pen. This means that the new S Pen is 41% thinner than last year’s edition. Samsung accomplished this feat through an intensive internal exploration, seeking a way to embed the S Pen into a Galaxy Fold phone.
“We’ll also look into it, but not just from a technology perspective, but from a user experience perspective,” said Won-Joon Choi, head of Samsung R&D Office Mobile Experience Business, during the press roundtable. Choi emphasized the importance of maintaining a realistic writing experience with the S Pen. If the stylus becomes too thin, it may compromise the sensation of using a real pen.
Samsung has been a long-time proponent of the S Pen, dating back to its introduction with the original Galaxy Note in 2011. However, designing a stylus for a foldable phone presents a unique set of challenges. Samsung must consider finding tip materials that won’t damage the phone’s flexible display, as well as avoiding any magnetic interference.
Choi also highlighted the differences in approach when designing the S Pen compared to a foldable phone. To become mainstream, foldable phones must prioritize portability. However, with the S Pen, maintaining usability and writing experience is crucial, as the stylus aims to replicate the feel of writing with an actual pen.
S Pen’s Quest for a Home
When the Galaxy Z Fold 3 was released in 2021 with stylus support, it brought the Fold series to new heights, positioning it as a productivity-oriented phone. However, it faced some criticism. While stylus support was available, the S Pen wasn’t included with the $1800 phone and had to be purchased separately. Additionally, the Z Fold 3 lacked a dedicated storage solution for the S Pen, necessitating the purchase of a separate case to house it.
Fast forward to 2023, and the S Pen still doesn’t have a permanent home. Despite the Galaxy Z Fold 5 being thinner than its predecessors, it still lacks a built-in storage solution for the S Pen, unlike the Galaxy S23 Ultra. Samsung’s current remedy is the $100 Galaxy Z Fold 5 Slim S Pen Case, which allows users to attach the stylus to the back half of the phone.
During the press roundtable, Choi discussed the challenges in catering to various customer desires for the future of the Z Fold design. Some users yearn for an even thinner book-style foldable phone, which would necessitate an even slimmer S Pen. Conversely, there are those who desire a thicker Z Fold to accommodate the S Pen integration. However, a bulkier device would compromise portability, a core design principle for Samsung. There are also users who desire a thin phone with the option to embed the S Pen into the device.
“What form factor and experiences are we going to deliver to our customers to meet various needs? What is the right balance? Those are the areas we need to decide carefully which way to go,” Choi remarked, highlighting the careful considerations that Samsung must make.
In conclusion, Samsung continues to innovate its foldable phones and their accompanying accessories. The Galaxy Z Fold 5 S Pen Fold Edition boasts a significantly thinner design than its predecessor, aiming to provide a realistic writing experience while maintaining portability. Although the S Pen has yet to find a permanent home within the Z Fold series, Samsung is actively exploring solutions to meet the diverse needs of its customers.
