Ryan Whitwam / Android Authority
Left: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 cowl display, Proper: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 cowl display
TL;DR
- Samsung is contemplating eradicating the digitizer layer from the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 7 to realize a slimmer design.
- The not too long ago launched Galaxy Z Fold SE additionally ditched the digitizer, sacrificing S Pen help for a thinner construct.
- The Galaxy Z Fold 7 would possibly nonetheless retain S Pen help, however it would include a a lot thicker stylus that gained’t slot into the cellphone.
Samsung’s foldable cellphone dominance is below stress, and it appears the corporate is making some daring design selections to maintain up with the competitors. Based on a brand new report from ET Information, the corporate is exploring drastic modifications for its subsequent foldable, possible the Galaxy Z Fold 7, together with dropping the digitizer — the element that makes pen enter doable — to shave down its thickness. (through Jukanlosreve on X/Twitter)
Foldable telephones have come a good distance since Samsung pioneered the phase, however rivals, notably Chinese language manufacturers, have outpaced Samsung in areas like design and {hardware} thickness. The Galaxy Z Fold 6, for instance, sits on the backside of the “thinness chart” in comparison with different foldables launching in 2024.
The corporate tried to handle this with the limited-release Galaxy Z Fold SE, which slimmed all the way down to 10.6mm by skipping the digitizer. Nonetheless, this transfer eradicated S Pen performance solely, a compromise Samsung now appears prepared to revisit.
The report means that Samsung is “critically contemplating” eradicating the digitizer within the Galaxy Z Fold 7 to prioritize a sleeker design. And not using a digitizer, Samsung’s present pen enter technique, generally known as electromagnetic resonance (EMR), turns into unusable. EMR depends on the show itself producing an electrical subject to allow pen enter, which permits the stylus to be slim.
As a substitute, Samsung would possibly change to another pen enter know-how referred to as energetic electrostatic (AES), just like what Apple makes use of for its Apple Pencil. AES shifts the facility necessities to the pen itself, which means it wants a battery and built-in electronics. Whereas this know-how permits the cellphone’s physique to stay skinny, the trade-off is a bulkier stylus that requires charging — and no likelihood of slotting neatly into the cellphone.
If the Galaxy Z Fold 7 adopts AES know-how, it’ll nonetheless help the S Pen, however customers will possible want to hold the stylus individually. Insiders quoted within the report say Samsung will finalize its determination early subsequent yr.
For some, shedding the built-in S Pen slot would possibly really feel like a dealbreaker. In spite of everything, the S Pen is a signature function of Samsung’s flagship gadgets, and plenty of customers worth its comfort. As a long-time Z Fold person, I believe a sleeker and lighter foldable is completely well worth the trade-off, particularly if it comes with enhancements to battery life, cameras, or weight.
Would you commerce an built-in S Pen slot for a thinner foldable design, or is that this a compromise too far? Tell us your ideas.
