
If you're in the market for a new S Pen, you're likely wondering which one to choose. The S Pen is a versatile tool that offers a range of features, including compatibility with various Samsung devices.
The S Pen has undergone significant design changes over the years, with the latest models featuring a more ergonomic design. The S Pen Air Actions feature allows users to control their device with gestures.
When choosing an S Pen, consider the device it will be paired with. The S Pen Pro, for example, is designed specifically for the Galaxy Note series.
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S Pen Compatibility
The S Pen is a versatile tool that can be used with a variety of Samsung devices.
One of the key things to consider when looking for S Pen compatibility is the device itself. The S Pen is compatible with a range of Samsung phones and mobile devices, including the Galaxy Tab S6, Tab S7, Tab S8, Tab S9, Tab S10, Tab S11, Note10, Note20, S21 Ultra, S22 Ultra, and S23 Ultra, as well as Galaxy Book laptops.
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The S Pen has a single button on the side, which can be used to access various features and functions. It also comes with a hard or soft tip, depending on the user's preference.
Here are some of the devices that support the S Pen:
Models
The S Pen is a versatile tool that's compatible with a range of Galaxy S models.
To use the S Pen with your Galaxy S model, you'll need to use the respective S Pen accessory designed for your specific model.
The S Pen case is available only for Galaxy S21 Ultra Pen, but that's not the case for all models.
Some Galaxy S models have an S Pen button, while others don't have any buttons.
You can write with the S Pen, and it supports Bluetooth connectivity for many models.
However, there are some exceptions, like the Galaxy S25 Ultra S Pen, Tab S9 FE S Pen, and Tab S11 Ultra S Pen, which don't support Bluetooth.
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Air Command and Air Actions are also supported by the S Pen, but not all models have this feature.
For example, the Galaxy S25 Ultra S Pen, Tab S9 FE S Pen, and Tab S11 Ultra S Pen don't support Air Actions.
The S Pen has a fine-point tip, making it perfect for writing and drawing.
But if you're using one of the models that don't support charging, like the Galaxy S25 Ultra S Pen, you'll need to find another way to charge your S Pen.
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S Pen Features and Specifications
The S Pen has a range of features that make it a powerful tool for creativity and productivity. The pen tip diameter varies across different Samsung products, with the Galaxy phones and some tablets using a 1.6 mm tip, while others use a 0.7 mm or 1.5 mm tip.
The S Pen has several basic features, including Air View, which lets you quickly scan information by hovering the stylus close to a screen element. Direct Writing Input allows you to fill out text fields with actual writing, and Screen Off Memo lets you take notes without unlocking the screen.
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The S Pen also has a Visible Pointer feature, which shows a pointer graphic when the stylus is close to the screen. The Galaxy AI features, available on the S24 Ultra and Z Fold 6, include Circle To Search, Summarization and Note Assist, and Sketch to Image, which can be accessed through the Smart Select feature.
Connect Your Phone
To connect your phone, you'll need to pair the S Pen, which is a straightforward process. Simply choose your S Pen and pair it with your new phone.
Features
The S Pen is a versatile tool that offers a range of features to enhance your mobile experience. Air View is one of these features, allowing you to quickly access information by hovering the stylus close to bits of information.
It works particularly well in Samsung's calendar and gallery apps. I've found it to be incredibly useful for quickly glancing at dates or viewing photos without having to open the app.
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Direct Writing Input lets you fill out text fields on your phone with actual writing. This can be enabled in two ways: through the Samsung Keyboard settings or by enabling the S Pen to text function.
Screen Off Memo is another classic Note feature that lets you take notes without unlocking the screen. This feature is a game-changer for those who often find themselves in situations where they need to jot down a quick note.
Visible Pointer is an old feature that shows a pointer graphic when the S Pen is close enough to the screen. This feature is on by default, but you can adjust it to your liking.
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and Galaxy Z Fold 6 have some impressive AI features that work in conjunction with the S Pen. Here are a few of the key features:
- Circle To Search lets users quickly open a contextual Google Search of an item they highlight on their screen.
- Summarization and Note Assist helps tidy up handwritten notes and offers summarization options for this content.
- Skip to Image isn't an exclusive S Pen feature, but the stylus makes it much easier to use. Users can modify existing images by drawing a simple sketch on them, and Galaxy AI will then add their generative AI-transformed photorealistic sketch to the image.
Specifications Comparison
The S Pen is a fantastic tool that comes with many Samsung Electronics products. One of the key features of the S Pen is its varying pen tip diameters.
The pen tip diameter varies across different Samsung products, with some having a 1.6 mm tip, while others have a 0.7 mm tip. The 1.6 mm tip is found in the Note 3/4/5 and Note 10.1, Note Pro 12.2 series.
Some Samsung tablets, such as the Tab A 8.0, Tab A 9.7, and Tab A 10.1 (2016), also feature the 1.6 mm tip. In contrast, the 0.7 mm tip is found in the Note 7/8/9 series and some Samsung tablets like the Tab S3, Tab S4, and Tab Active2.
The 0.7 mm tip has been updated to 0.7 mm (new) in newer Samsung products, including the Note 10/20 series, S21 Ultra, S22 Ultra, S23 Ultra, and S24 Ultra. These devices also feature the updated 0.7 mm tip.
The 1.5 mm tip is found in the Z Fold 3/4/5/6 and S25 Ultra series. Here's a breakdown of the pen tip diameters for different Samsung products:
S Pen Bundling and Availability
Samsung bundles an S Pen with its tablets, but it's not identical to the one for its phones.
The tablet S Pen weighs just under 9g and has dimensions of 8.2 x 145 x 7.7mm.
It's stored on the rear of the tablet using magnets, which is also how it's charged.
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Bundled for Tablets
If you're considering buying a Samsung tablet, you'll be happy to know that many of them come with the S Pen bundled in. The tablet S Pen is a bit larger than its phone counterpart, weighing in at just under 9g and measuring 8.2 x 145 x 7.7mm.
The tablet S Pen is also stored and charged differently than the phone stylus. It's clipped onto the rear of the tablet using magnets, which is also how it gets charged. This is a convenient feature that sets it apart from the phone stylus.
Samsung offers several different S Pen models, including a more niche model designed for its foldables. If you're looking for a budget tablet with S Pen support, you're out of luck with the newer Tab A models. However, you can consider buying the older Galaxy Tab A 10.1 (2019) or the Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2019).
Here are some Samsung tablets that do support the S Pen:
- Galaxy Tab S10 series
- Galaxy Tab S9 series (incl. S9 FE)
- Galaxy Tab S8 series
- Galaxy Tab S7 series
- Galaxy Tab S6 series
- Galaxy Tab Active Pro
- Galaxy Tab Active 3
Built-in for Phones
The S Pen is a fantastic tool that comes bundled with many Samsung phones. Some of these phones have a built-in S Pen, which is a game-changer for anyone who loves to jot down notes or sketch ideas.
The smallest S Pen model is the one many will know and love, and it's powered by a super-capacitor that charges quickly and provides around 30 minutes of usage per charge. This makes it a fairly lightweight and efficient device.
You'll find the built-in S Pen wedged within Samsung's phones, including the Galaxy Note series. The S Pen uses a 0.7mm tip and can recognize up to 4,096 pressure levels on certain Samsung devices.
If you lose or break your S Pen, you can grab replacements online, but this model usually comes free with the device. You can also switch out the tips of the S Pen if desired.
Here are some Samsung phones that come with a built-in S Pen:
- Galaxy S25 Ultra
- Galaxy S24 Ultra
- Galaxy S23 Ultra
- Galaxy S22 Ultra
- Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
- Galaxy Z Fold 6
- Galaxy Z Fold 5
- Galaxy Z Fold 4
- Galaxy Z Fold 3
- Galaxy Note series
S Pen Editions and Variants
The S Pen comes in various editions and variants, each with its own set of features and compatibility. The S Pen Pro Edition is compatible with a wide range of devices, including Galaxy Z Fold3, Z Fold4, and Tab S6, among others.
Here are the key differences between the S Pen Pro Edition and the S Pen Fold Edition:
The S Pen Creator Edition is a passive stylus that doesn't have a retractable tip, but supports various pressure levels and tilt sensitivity for shading.
S Pen Editions and Variants
The S Pen has various editions and variants to suit different needs and devices. The S Pen Pro Edition is a top-of-the-line stylus that supports Bluetooth, has a 16-day battery, and can be used with multiple devices.
You can pair your S Pen Pro by charging it with a USB-C cable and holding the Pairing button for 3 seconds. This will allow you to write on the screen or use remote features like Air actions.
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The S Pen Pro is compatible with a wide range of Samsung devices, including Galaxy Z Fold, Note, and Tab series, as well as Galaxy Book laptops.
Here are the key features of the S Pen Pro Edition:
The S Pen Pro also features a retractable tip for use on Samsung's foldables, but it can be locked in place when used on a phone or tablet using the Mode switch.
Fold Edition
The S Pen Fold Edition is a specialized version of the S Pen, designed specifically for Samsung's foldable phones. It's compatible with the Galaxy Z Fold 6, 5, 4, and 3.
This pen has a unique design, with a rounder shape and a partially flattened side. The tip is slightly rounder at 1.5mm, and it retracts into the body with sufficient force, preventing accidental pokes on the foldable screen.
Here are some key features of the S Pen Fold Edition:
- Compatibility: Galaxy Z Fold 6, 5, 4, and 3
- Number of buttons: S Pen button
- S Pen case: Yes
- Write: Yes
- Bluetooth: No
- Air Command: Yes
- Air Actions: No
- S Pen Tip: Auto-retractable Pro Tip, retracts with 500gf or greater
- Charging: No
One of the benefits of the S Pen Fold Edition is that it doesn't need charging, making it a convenient option for users. It operates at a different frequency than other S Pens, so it won't work with Notes or S21 phones.
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S Pen History and Models
The S Pen has a rich history, and its evolution is a testament to Samsung's commitment to innovation. Introduced with the Galaxy Note series in 2011, the S Pen was the first stylus to feature an active digitizer by Wacom, with 128 levels of pressure sensitivity.
The S Pen has undergone significant changes over the years, with each new model bringing new features and improvements. The second generation S Pen on the Galaxy Note II was slightly thicker than the original, and it introduced Air View, a feature that allowed users to preview content by hovering the pen over it.
The S Pen on the Galaxy Note 8 offered expanded software features, including Live Message, which enabled users to create handwritten notes combined with emojis. Users could also remove the S Pen from the device and write notes on the display through Screen Off Memo.
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The S Pen on the Galaxy Note 20 featured a faster response time and an extended battery life, making it a significant improvement over previous models.
S Pen Pricing and Comparison
The Galaxy S Pen Pro is a game-changer, priced at $99.99.
It's significantly thicker and longer than the other pens, making it feel more like a paintbrush than an S Pen.
The Pro is the only pen that needs to be charged separately, but a 50-minute charge gives you 16 days of battery life, which is impressive.
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Note 20 ($39.99)
The Note 20's S Pen has a Bluetooth connection to your phone, allowing you to use it as a remote control.
The S Pen included with the Galaxy Note 20 has a button at the top that lets it pop out of the body of the phone.
It's the slimmest and shortest of the S Pen crowd, but it has powers that the multi-device and Fold S Pens do not.
The Note 20's S Pen charges when it's inside the body of the phone.
Both the Note 20 pen and the S21 Ultra pen have 4,096 pressure levels and a 0.7mm tip.
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Ultra $39.99
The Galaxy S21 Ultra's S Pen is a great option for those looking for a more affordable S Pen experience, priced at just $39.99.
This S Pen is longer and wider than the Note 20's pen, with two flat sides.
It's made of a very matte plastic, which is a nice change of pace from the slightly slipperier plastic of the Note 20 pen.
The S21 pen can draw on the screen and use "Air Command", where you float your pen a little over the screen to pop up a menu of options.
Without Bluetooth, this pen never needs charging, which is a definite plus for those who don't want to worry about running out of battery.
It's also worth noting that the S21 pen fits into the side of an optional rubbery case for the phone.
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Fold Edition ($49.99)
The S Pen Fold Edition is a separate purchase for Samsung's foldable phones, specifically designed for the Galaxy Z Fold 6, 5, 4, and 3. This means you'll need to buy it separately if you want to use it with your foldable phone.
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One of the key features of the S Pen Fold Edition is its auto-retractable tip, which retracts at a force of 500 gf or greater. This is a gentle touch that's kind to fragile foldable phone displays.
The S Pen Fold Edition doesn't support Bluetooth, so you won't be able to use it as a remote control. On the other hand, it doesn't need charging, which means no dedicated charging slot or hardware is required.
Here are the key specs of the S Pen Fold Edition:
- Compatibility: Galaxy Z Fold 6, 5, 4, and 3
- Number of buttons: 1 (S Pen button)
- S Pen case: Yes
- Write: Yes
- Bluetooth: No
- Air Command: Yes
- Air Actions: No
- S Pen Tip: Auto-retractable Pro Tip, retracts with 500gf or greater
- Charging: No
The S Pen Fold Edition is priced at $49.99.
$99.99
The Galaxy S Pen Pro is priced at $99.99, making it the most expensive option among the S Pens.
It's significantly thicker and longer than the other pens, giving it a unique feel, almost like a paintbrush.
The Pro has a switch to flip it between the Fold and other-device frequencies, and it also has Bluetooth to act as a remote.
This pen requires separate charging, which comes with a case that slides into a USB-C charging port.
A 50-minute charge gives you 16 days of battery life, which is impressive considering its features.
The Galaxy S Pen Pro can also be tracked in Samsung's SmartThings Find app if you lose it, providing an added layer of security.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does the S Pen run out of battery?
Yes, the S Pen's wireless functions require occasional recharging. Simply insert it into your phone to charge it back up.
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