The latest announcement from Samsung has stirred up the tech world once again, with the introduction of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7. This new foldable device comes with a range of improvements and upgrades, but one significant feature has been noticeably omitted from its list of offerings.
One of the most striking improvements in the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is its slimline design. Measuring just 8.9mm thick when closed, this represents a considerable reduction compared to its predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6, which was 12.1mm thick. By our calculations (or rather, an online percentage-calculation tool), this amounts to a more than 26% decrease in thickness. With this new form factor, Samsung is now in direct competition with other slimline devices like the Honor Magic V5, which boasts an 8.8mm closed thickness.
Additionally, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 also boasts an enhanced camera system, incorporating the impressive 200MP main camera from the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. However, these upgrades have come at a cost, both in terms of internal space and materials.
One notable omission from the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is S Pen compatibility. Samsung has stated that this decision was made as a space-saving measure, as well as a cost-saving one. By removing the digitizer layer necessary for S Pen functionality, Samsung has managed to streamline the device and keep costs consistent with its predecessor.
This move shouldn’t come as a complete surprise, as Samsung had previously released the Galaxy Z Fold SE in South Korea, which also lacked S Pen compatibility. The decision to drop S Pen support was likely a strategic one to achieve the desired slim form factor for the Galaxy Z Fold 7.
While the absence of S Pen compatibility may disappoint some users, especially those who enjoy using a stylus on larger devices like tablets, it seems that Samsung has prioritized addressing the unwieldiness of its foldable devices. The company likely based this decision on user data, which may have shown that S Pen compatibility wasn’t a widely used feature on the Fold range.
Ultimately, while the removal of S Pen support may be a loss for some users, it appears to have been a necessary sacrifice in order to improve the overall usability and form factor of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7. Only time will tell how consumers will react to this change, but for now, Samsung’s focus on slimming down and enhancing its foldable device seems to be the primary goal.
