The Galaxy Z Fold 5 will undoubtedly have support for the S Pen like its predecessor. However, there was hope among Samsung fans that it will finally be the first foldable to have an internal slot for S Pen storage.
Samsung has already realized this dream for the Ultra models of its Galaxy S series. The Galaxy S22 Ultra came with an S Pen slot and so does the Galaxy S23 Ultra. If you hoping to see this on the Galaxy Z Fold 5 later this year, your dreams may not come true.
Samsung might even need to make the Galaxy Z Fold 5 more expensive
Korean media is reporting that Samsung did have plans to build an internal slot in the Galaxy Z Fold 5 to store the S Pen. However, these plans have now been scrapped because Samsung can't quite create enough space inside the device. The only way would be to increase the dimensions, particularly the thickness of the device, and that's a decision the company doesn't want to make at this point.
The other option is to make the S Pen thinner but that reduces the “pen on paper” feel that Samsung wishes to provide with its stylus. It's also said that building a slot for the S Pen inside the device increases the manufacturing cost, so Samsung either has to reduce its margins or increase the price for customers.
A person in the know is quoted as saying that the Galaxy Z Fold 5 has a new hinge structure and that has changed the internal space structure of the device, thus making it challenging to build an S Pen slot. At least we now know that it's entirely possible for Samsung to make this happen, it's only a question of all the stars aligning.
Perhaps they don't align for the Galaxy Z Fold 5 which is due later this year. That doesn't mean we won't ever have a Galaxy Z Fold device with an S Pen slot, so maybe don't give up on your dreams just yet.