Galaxy Z Fold 7 Samsung Ditches S Pen, But Did They REALLY Listen?

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7: Why S Pen Support Was Sacrificed for Sleekness

Samsung's latest Galaxy Unpacked event unveiled a trio of devices: the Galaxy Z Fold 7, Galaxy Z Flip 7, and Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE. While each brings its own set of improvements, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 stands out as a significant leap forward, particularly in terms of design and portability.

The defining characteristic of the Fold 7 is its remarkably slim profile. Measuring just 4.2mm when unfolded and 8.9mm when folded, it's the thinnest and lightest foldable Samsung has ever produced. This isn't just a minor tweak; it's a fundamental shift in the foldable landscape.

To put that into perspective, the folded Z Fold 7 is a staggering 3.2mm (or 24%) thinner than its predecessor, the Galaxy Z Fold 6. Impressively, it matches the thickness of the flagship Galaxy S25 Ultra while still offering a expansive 8-inch display when unfolded.

But how did Samsung achieve this feat? What does this mean for the future of foldable phones? And why did they make the controversial decision to remove S Pen support? To get answers, TechRadar sat down with Blake Geiser, SVP of Smartphone Product Management at Samsung North America.

A Deep Dive into Decreasing the Crease (and the Thickness)

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 joins a growing category of thin foldable phones, aiming to provide a dual-screen experience without the bulk. Samsung's approach was driven by a clear vision:

• Priority #1: Create a high-performing "bar phone" experience.
• Target Thickness: Achieve a folded thickness of around 9mm, comparable to phones like the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
• Bonus: Minimize the dreaded display crease.

Geiser explained, "Our first goal was to build an extremely high-performing bar phone… to ensure that the [Fold 7's] thickness was in line with bar phones like the Galaxy S25 Ultra, and that it had the camera of the S25 Ultra, but then it unfolded."

And about that crease? While no foldable is entirely crease-free, Samsung has made significant strides. While visible under certain lighting, the Fold 7's crease is barely perceptible to the touch. This was achieved through several design refinements:

“Folding phones are not easy to make. Now, even though the Fold 7's screen is much thinner, we’ve actually made the radius of the screen wider, so you can think of it as a teardrop instead of a 'U'." Geiser said.

• Teardrop Hinge: A wider radius hinge minimizes the sharpness of the fold.
• Titanium Sheet: The bottom layer of the screen incorporates a very thin titanium sheet for added strength.
• Carbon Fiber Layer: A carbon fiber layer under the crease provides support and minimizes the visual impact of the fold over time.

The S Pen Conundrum: Functionality vs. Form

Perhaps the most contentious decision was the removal of S Pen support. While the Galaxy Z Fold 4 featured a digitizer layer for S Pen compatibility, this has been omitted from the Fold 7.

Geiser outlined two primary reasons for this change:

• Hardware: Removing the digitizer layer allowed Samsung to reinforce other areas of the screen, enhancing durability.
• Commercial: User feedback indicated a stronger preference for a sleek design, larger screen, and longer battery life over S Pen functionality.

"We had S-Pen compatibility on previous Folds, but [we] really listened to our users, and they wanted something really sleek; they wanted an updated aspect ratio with an even bigger screen and a battery that lasts for days," Geiser noted.

This decision may disappoint some, particularly given Samsung's previous statements emphasizing the S Pen's importance to the "Ultra experience." However, Samsung clearly believes that the trade-off was necessary to achieve its vision for the Fold 7.

Early impressions of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 are positive. While the absence of S Pen support may be a sticking point for some, the device appears to have largely delivered on its promise of a truly pocketable foldable phone. For many, the gains in portability and design will outweigh the loss of stylus input. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 represents a bold step forward, proving that Samsung is committed to pushing the boundaries of foldable technology.

Tags: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, Galaxy Z Flip 7, Foldable phone, Samsung Unpacked, S25 Ultra, Thin phone, 8-inch display, Fold 7, New phone, Samsung phones

Source: https://www.techradar.com/phones/samsung-galaxy-phones/folding-phones-are-not-easy-to-make-samsungs-product-chief-explains-why-the-galaxy-z-fold-7-doesnt-support-the-s-pen