Latest news with #S-Pen
Mint
3 days ago
- Mint
Samsung may reintroduce S-Pen support in foldables after Z Fold 7 snub: Report
Samsung may be preparing to bring back S-Pen support to its Galaxy Z Fold series in future iterations, following the stylus' conspicuous absence from the newly launched Galaxy Z Fold 7. According to a recent report from South Korean publicationETNews, the company is actively researching new technologies to make this possible. The development was reportedly confirmed by Kang Min-seok, Head of Smartphone Product Planning at Samsung, who allegedly revealed that the tech giant is working on next-generation S-Pen capabilities. The move is said to be part of a broader effort to improve the user experience on its foldable smartphones, with the possibility of even integrating a dedicated slot for the stylus in future models. This could mark a potential reversal in Samsung's recent trend of scaling back stylus-related features. The Galaxy Z Fold 7, which was officially unveiled at the Galaxy Unpacked 2025 event earlier this month, became the first book-style foldable from the brand in years to omit support for the S-Pen. Samsung defended the move at the time by pointing to low usage figures, claiming that less than one per cent of users made regular use of the advanced stylus functions. However, growing consumer demand and evolving hardware design may prompt a change in direction. Kang noted that the company is now focusing on achieving a better balance between form and function, rather than simply pursuing thinner and lighter devices. 'We are developing thinner and more innovative technologies for the S-Pen,' he reportedly stated, adding that the stylus will return once its functionality and integration reach a satisfactory level of refinement. While there is no official timeline yet, the comments suggest that Samsung has not abandoned its iconic stylus altogether. If these developments materialise, future versions of the Galaxy Z Fold could once again cater to power users and note-takers looking for productivity tools within a foldable format.
The Hindu
09-07-2025
- The Hindu
Samsung unveils thinner foldables with Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Fold 7, but ditches S-Pen on Fold 7
Samsung on Wednesday (July 9, 2025) launched its next generation of foldable smartphones — the Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Galaxy Z Fold 7, alongside a more budget-friendly Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE. The new devices reveal design refinements, deeper AI integration with Google's Gemini, and upgraded specifications. However, in a move that may disappoint power users, the much-anticipated S-Pen support is absent from the Galaxy Z Fold 7. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 emerges as a remarkably svelte device, marking it as Samsung's thinnest and lightest Fold to date. When folded, it measures a mere 8.9mm and just 4.2mm when unfolded, with a weight of only 215 grams. This is a noticeable reduction from the Galaxy Z Fold 6, which is thicker and heavier. The cover screen on the Fold 7 has been widened to 6.5 inches with a new 21:9 aspect ratio, while the main display expands to an impressive 8 inches, an 11% increase over the previous generation. Under the hood, the Fold 7 is powered by a custom Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor, promising significant boosts in CPU, GPU, and NPU performance compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the Fold 6. This enhanced power is designed to fuel the advanced on-device AI capabilities. The camera system also sees a major upgrade with the introduction of a 200MP wide-angle lens, a substantial leap from the 50MP sensor on the Fold 6. Conversely, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 focuses on enhancing the clamshell experience with a larger, more functional 'FlexWindow.' The cover display now spans 4.1 inches from edge-to-edge, a significant increase from the 3.4-inch screen on the Flip 6. This larger external display allows for more intuitive interactions, including typing quick messages and utilizing new AI-powered features. The Flip 7 is also Samsung's slimmest Flip yet at 13.7mm folded and features a larger 4,300mAh battery, up from the 4,000mAh in its predecessor. A significant talking point for this launch is the notable absence of S-Pen support for the Galaxy Z Fold 7. While the Galaxy Z Fold 6 was compatible with the S Pen, Samsung has seemingly opted to forgo the feature in its latest model, a decision likely aimed at achieving the device's impressively thin profile. The smartphone maker traded the digitizer layer — necessary for S Pen input — in exchange for a thinner foldable experience. This move is likely to be a point of contention for longtime fans of the feature who valued the productivity it offered. Samsung is also expanding its foldable lineup with the introduction of the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE. Positioned as an entry-level option, the Flip 7 FE features a 6.7-inch main display and a 50MP 'FlexCam'. While it shares some design similarities with the more premium Flip 7, it is expected to come with more modest specifications, including a 4,000mAh battery and options for 128GB or 256GB of storage, making the foldable experience more accessible. A cornerstone of this year's lineup is the deep integration of Google's Gemini AI. Both the Flip 7 and Fold 7 feature One UI 8, based on Android 16, which is designed to be context-aware and responsive. A key feature is 'Gemini Live,' which is now available directly on the Flip 7's FlexWindow, enabling hands-free voice commands for tasks like checking flight details or finding restaurants. Both devices also support 'camera sharing' on Gemini Live, allowing for real-time visual assistance. This enhanced AI integration is powered by the new processors and aims to create a more seamless and intelligent user experience, from personalized daily briefings to advanced photo editing tools like Photo Assist and Audio Eraser. Alongside the foldables, Samsung has also unveiled their latest generation smartwatches — Watch 8 and Watch 8 Classic. The prices for the two watches in India are yet to revealed.
Hindustan Times
09-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
Samsung Galaxy Unpacked last-minute leak: Galaxy Z Fold 7 may drop S-Pen support
Just a few hours before the Samsung Galaxy Unpacked event, the marketing material for Galaxy Z Fold 7, Z Flip 7, and Z Flip 7 FE were leaked online. The images revealed several crucial details about the upcoming products, including specifications and features. However, one major downgrade came to notice as the images do not have a single mention of S-Pen support for the Galaxy Z Fold 7. There are speculations that with a slimmer design, Samsung may have dropped the stylus support to make space for other crucial features. Apart from the downgrade, we also got a glimpse of what Samsung may reveal during today's event. Therefore, if you have been eyeing any of these products, then know what we can expect based on the leaked marketing material. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 marketing material leaked ahead of launch, revealing crucial specs and features.(HT ) Also read: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE specs tipped, likely to have similar features as Flip 6- All details Samsung Galaxy Unpacked: Last-minute leak reveals shocking downgrade A tipster named Roland Quandt shared a series of images on the microblogging platform Bluesky, revealing the marketing material of today's Samsung launch event. The images revealed greater details about the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 ahead of its official launch. As per the images, the foldable will likely measure 4.2mm in thickness when unfolded and could weigh 215 grams. We can also see the mention of advanced armor aluminium, Armor Flexhinge, and Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2. However, the tipster highlighted that the Galaxy Z Fold 7 marketing material does not mention of S-Pen. This has led to speculation that Samsung is dropping the stylus support to maintain the slimness of the foldable. Earlier, the S Pen Fold Edition was sold separately from the foldable, but this year Galaxy Z Fold 7 may not come with S Pen support at all, making a major downgrade for buyers. Also read: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE set to offer affordable foldable innovation at a budget price Apart from the design standpoint, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 camera features were also tipped, revealing that it will feature a 200MP main camera with next-gen ProVisual Engine, a 12MP ultrawide, and a 10MP telephoto lens. It was also highlighted that the smartphone will be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip and the same 4400mAh battery. Coming to the Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE, the foldables are expected to be 4.1mm slim when unfolded. It was also highlighted that the Z Flip 7 could feature a 4300mAh battery, whereas the FE version could have a smaller 4000mAh battery. However, we may have to wait until the launch to confirm how Samsung will differentiate the Z Flip 7 and Z Flip 7 FE.
Rakyat Post
06-06-2025
- Rakyat Post
Premium Feel, Practical Price: A Tab That Redefines Value
Subscribe to our FREE It started with a simple question: Could Samsung's new 'Fan Edition' tablet hold its own against my trusty Tab S8 Ultra? After two weeks of living with both devices, I found myself pleasantly surprised by the answer. The first thing that caught my eye was the display. Having grown accustomed to the Tab S8 Ultra's gorgeous AMOLED screen, I was relieved to find that the Tab S10 FE+ also features the same technology. Those deep blacks and vibrant colours I'd come to love were all there, just in a more compact package. During my late-night Netflix sessions and early morning news reads, the display proved every bit as captivating as its premium sibling. The Perfect Marriage: All-Day Stamina and S-Pen's Timeless Grace Battery life became my next pleasant discovery. Even during heavy use – streaming videos, taking notes, and bouncing between apps – the S10 FE+ kept going strong. There were days when I actually forgot to charge it overnight, only to find that it still had plenty of juice the next morning. The S-Pen experience feels like meeting an old friend. While it may lack some of the Ultra's fancy Bluetooth tricks, the core writing and drawing experience remains unchanged. I found myself naturally switching between tablets for note-taking, barely noticing any difference in responsiveness or precision. Reality Check: When Specs Meet Real-World Use Here's where things get interesting – performance. Yes, Sure, when I'm pushing multiple desktop websites and heavy apps, the FE+ takes a beat longer to respond, but it never feels sluggish or overwhelmed. Regarding the keyboard situation, Samsung offers a Book Cover Keyboard, specifically designed for the S10 FE+. It's a capable accessory. But here's my truth – as someone who primarily uses a laptop for serious work, my tablet time is mainly spent consuming media and taking handwritten notes. I still prefer carrying my laptop alongside the tablet, which means the keyboard sees minimal use in my setup. The Sweet Spot: When One Device Does It All However, this highlights an important point: the S10 FE+ with its keyboard can be a perfect solution for those looking to travel light with just one device. If you're tired of lugging around a laptop and want a simple all-rounder that can handle both entertainment and productivity tasks, this combination might be exactly what you're looking for. I've seen journalists, students, and business travellers embrace this setup as their primary mobile workstation, especially when paired with the S-Pen for note-taking and annotations. After two weeks, I've settled into a comfortable rhythm with both devices. The S8 Ultra remains my go-to for media consumption, but the S10 FE+ has carved out its own niche. It's become my primary device for media consumption, a casual browsing companion, and a capable backup when I need to work away from my desk. Value Proposition: Premium Experience Without Premium Pricing What Samsung has achieved here isn't just a watered-down flagship – it's a thoughtfully balanced device that knows exactly what it wants to be. For many users, especially those who don't need the absolute bleeding edge of performance, the S10 FE+ might just be the sweet spot they've been looking for. In the end, it's not about which tablet is better – it's about which one better suits your needs. And for many, including myself, the S10 FE+ proves that you don't always need to spend flagship money to get a flagship-like experience. One Device or Two? Finding Your Perfect Mobile Setup If you're looking for ultimate portability while maintaining tablet functionality, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold series offers an intriguing alternative. It effectively doubles as both a phone and tablet, performing many of the same functions as dedicated tablets like the Galaxy Tab, all in a pocket-friendly form factor. While it comes at a premium price point, it might be worth considering for those who value the convenience of an all-in-one device. If you're primarily a content creator, heavy note-taker, or someone who frequently multitasks with multiple windows, the phone + tablet combo (like having a regular phone and the S10 FE+) might serve you better. The dedicated tablet's larger screen and specialised features (like the S-Pen experience) provide a superior experience for these tasks. Try Before You Commit: Samsung's Trade-In Advantage Notably, Samsung offers a You could start with one configuration, test it for your specific needs, and then switch to an alternative setup if it doesn't meet your expectations. This flexibility makes it easier to find your ideal device combination without significant losses, giving you the freedom to discover which approach truly works best for your lifestyle and workflow. The trade-in process involves four easy steps: choosing a new device, entering your postcode, and confirming the condition of your old device to get your discount. READ MORE : READ MORE : Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.
Indian Express
15-05-2025
- Indian Express
Fear missing out on seeing a new phone? Here's when you should resist upgrading
There's a new phone launch almost every week, and each one has something that makes it tempting. If you're into gadgets and gizmos, that temptation can be hard to resist. I consider myself a tech enthusiast, and I can always come up with multiple reasons to convince myself why my current phone isn't as good as the latest one. In fact, sometimes even budget phones seem more appealing than my daily driver, which costs significantly more. If you're someone like me, here are a few things to consider before the fear of missing out (FOMO) takes over your credit card. Most people think about upgrading when their current phone is broken. But the definition of 'broken' varies. For some, it means a completely unusable device; for others, minor cosmetic damage might qualify as 'broken'. If your phone has a cracked display or shattered back glass, an upgrade might make sense, especially if it's old and the repair costs aren't worth it. But if the device is relatively new, repairing it could be a smarter choice. Before making a decision, think twice; better yet, sleep on it. It's easy to assume that the latest phone is better. But that's not always true. Take the S-Pen on the Galaxy S25 Ultra, for example – it's actually a downgrade from the one on the Galaxy S24 Ultra. If you rely on specific features, the newer model might not meet your needs, despite being newer. There are valid reasons to upgrade, like poor battery life or lack of storage. While display, performance, and cameras have improved, the difference isn't usually dramatic unless you compare them side by side. With most phones no longer offering expandable storage, a storage upgrade could justify buying a new phone. The same goes for battery life. Recent smartphones, even in the budget and mid-range segments, offer big batteries and fast charging that outclass phones just a year or two old. Sometimes, people upgrade just because they're bored. If that's the case, consider getting a new phone case or a skin. It can refresh the look and feel of your device without burning a hole in your wallet. Many exclusive AI features on high-end smartphones can be replicated on almost any modern phone using third-party apps and a good internet connection. I'm yet to see a must-have AI feature that truly justifies an upgrade, and this comes from someone who's tested nearly every major phone released in recent years. And when you do decide to upgrade, don't just stick to one brand. Look at what the competition is offering. You might get better features and value from a different brand at a lower price. Of course, you should upgrade when it truly makes sense. Just don't fall into the trap of buying a phone just because a brand tells you to. Ask yourself what real value the new phone adds over your current one. If it's worth it, go for it, just make sure it's your decision, not the marketer's.
