Ever since the very first Samsung Galaxy Note device, Samsung has set itself apart from most other manufacturers in the smartphone market by bringing massive screens (though everyone got with the memo eventually) and the unique stylus stowed away in the device itself. That S Pen is a major trademark of Samsung's S Ultra devices.
Unfortunately, if you've fallen in love with the S Pen, it might be time to harden your heart for a breakup. This year had signs that Samsung might be pulling away from the S Pen, and if an early report is anything to trust, 2027's S Ultra device will say farewell to the unique feature, joining the ranks of other flagships that never bothered with a stylus.
The Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra Could Finally Ditch the Built-In S Pen
We're still rather far off from 2027, but it is never too early to take a glimpse into what the future of smartphones might have in store for us. In this case, we're taking a look at Samsung's ultimate flagship for that year, which is expected to be called the Galaxy S27 Ultra.
If there's one thing that makes a Galaxy S Ultra device unique, it is the built-in stylus that the phone comes with, known as the S Pen. Every Galaxy S Ultra device since the S21 Ultra has supported a stylus, and every S Ultra since the S22 Ultra has had it tucked away in a slot built into the phone. The S Pen stuck around this year, and seems set to stick around next year, but its fate after that is what seems to be in contention.
This all comes courtesy of Jukanlosreve on X, who spotted a notable Chinese leaker who claimed that the S27 Ultra will lose the S Pen slot. It's not a ridiculous claim, but part of me feels it might be too early to confidently make that assertion when so much can still change in the development process. When we get past the S26 launch, we'll be closer to more accurate info. Would you buy a Galaxy S Ultra phone without the S Pen, though?
This Comes After the S25 Ultra Dropped Bluetooth Functionality From the S Pen
Samsung's relationship with the S Pen has changed over the years. Back in the days of the Note series, it was something that the manufacturer was clearly very proud of. However, in its time as part of the S family, Samsung has made moves that indicate it might not be as infatuated with its unique piece of hardware.
The Galaxy S25 Ultra at the start of this year retained the S Pen slot but dropped Bluetooth support, disabling it from using features such as Air Actions and gestures.
With the S Pen losing such a major feature, there'll be no surprise to me if it eventually finds itself discarded in full. It would only be placing Samsung on the same ground as the rest of the competition, so it'd hardly serve as a dealbreaker for most.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 Is Rumored to Be Losing S Pen Support
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is rumored to be losing support for the S Pen. While the device never had a built-in slot for it, this year could see it losing support for that Samsung-made stylus altogether. For a device made for productivity, that's bound to be an unpopular option for those who don't mind buying an S Pen as a separate accessory.
