Samsung’s latest foldable launch—the sleek and ultra-thin Galaxy Z Fold 7—made waves at Galaxy Unpacked, praised for its big display, refined cameras, and record‑breaking 8.9 mm folded thickness. But tech enthusiasts quickly noticed something was missing: no built-in S Pen support, a feature that had become a hallmark of the Fold series 

Samsung product planners explained the omission was a deliberate “trade-off.” In order to hit the impressive new dimensions, they removed the digitizer layer needed for the stylus—saving on weight and thickness However, the company has already signaled this isn’t goodbye to the S Pen. Kang Min‑seok, head of smartphone product planning, told ETNews Samsung is “researching and developing thinner and more innovative technologies for the S Pen” and will bring it back in future models if user demand and product readiness align 

One exciting development involves a next‑gen S Pen, co-developed with Korean startup HiDeep, which works without a digitizer or battery, maintaining precision and tilt without adding bulk. This may be why Samsung skipped embedding the existing stylus tech in the Z Fold 7—it was holding out for something better 

Analysts suggest that Samsung is carefully balancing design elegance—like the Fold 7’s 4.2 mm unfolded profile—with productivity tools users expect in a large foldable. While some fans miss the return of the S Pen immediately, Samsung’s approach focuses on waiting for the perfect version, not rushing it

So, what can fans expect? The company could reintroduce a stylus—possibly in the next Galaxy Z Fold 8—complete with a dedicated slot and thin design. It would satisfy both aesthetic and functional demands. Samsung’s leadership has made it clear: the S Pen isn’t gone—it’s evolving