Samsung is actively working on making its foldable smartphones slimmer. A key change could involve a redesigned S Pen that works without a digitizer. The company may adopt a technology similar to the Apple Pencil for its S Pen. This new approach is expected to debut with the Galaxy Z Fold 7 next year.
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 could feature a reinvented, digitizer-less S Pen
A digitizer is a part of the display that detects the S Pen’s movements. It creates an electromagnetic field that interacts with the S Pen, which has a copper coil inside that reacts with this field. This helps the device accurately track the pen’s position and pressure on the screen. This technology is called electromagnetic resonance (EMR).
While EMR is efficient, the need for a digitizer adds some thickness to the display. This can be a drawback for devices like foldables, where slimness is a priority. Samsung plans to overcome this with digitizer-free solutions similar to the Apple Pencil’s Active Electrostatic (AES) technology. With AES, the pen generates its own signal using a built-in battery, eliminating the need for a digitizer in the display.
This approach helps make the device — the digitizer is said to be 0.3mm thick, so removing it instantly makes foldables 0.6mm thinner. While this means the S Pen will need a battery and charging capability, possibly making it larger, it’s not an issue for foldables. Samsung doesn’t include the S Pen in its foldables; instead, it is sold separately as an optional accessory. The company could continue using the digitizer-powered S Pen in Ultra flagships, which feature a built-in silo.
According to the Korean media, Samsung aims to implement the new S Pen technology on the Galaxy Z Fold 7. The upcoming foldable may also adopt new backplate materials and other design enhancements for a slimmer profile. The company allegedly plans to make the device bigger, which could further help reduce its thickness. More details should surface in the coming months.
