Samsung's new Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition is official, and for the most part, it's an improved Galaxy Z Fold 6 spin-off with a unique stripe pattern finish. However, it turns out that the SE foldable phone isn't superior across the board but is missing at least one key feature the Galaxy Z Fold 6 enjoys. There's no S Pen support.
We thought it was a bit odd that Samsung didn't mention the S Pen in its original Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition press release. Nevertheless, we decided to wait for more facts to emerge before losing all hope through a process of elimination.
Fast forward to now, and we have direct confirmation from Samsung that there is no S Pen support for the Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition. Samsung mentions as much on the official store page in Korea.
Galaxy Z Fold 6 remains a better choice for S Pen fans
There were rumors that Samsung might ditch the S Pen entirely for the Special Edition foldable phone before. On the other hand, another report suggested the phone could reinvent the S Pen input method and replace the standard digitizer with a new technology that would offer support for the S Pen at a lower price while maintaining a slick profile.
Perhaps that was wishful thinking, or maybe Samsung's plans have changed during the development process. Nothing about the S Pen seemed set in stone at that time.
However, Samsung's official spec sheet on the store page in Korea specifically states that there is no S Pen support. We could hold on to hope and say it might be an error in translation or hope that Samsung meant to say there's no S Pen in the box, but that seems unlikely. All the evidence heavily tilts the scales on the “no S Pen support” side.
On the bright side, people who want the SE foldable get larger screens with wider aspect ratios, a thinner design, a better camera, and improved connectivity.
Nevertheless, the standard Galaxy Z Fold 6 remains the best foldable phone for S Pen fans, even if the way it does it is a bit awkward. The S Pen has to be purchased separately, and it has to be a special S Pen, at that. Regular S Pens would damage the foldable screen.
Comparatively, it looks like the Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition does away with all that, seemingly streamlining the experience by minimizing the chance of user error and completely removing the S Pen from the picture. A big disappointment for S Pen fans, but a compromise Samsung may have had to make to avoid further inflating the price.
