Why iPhone Duo's Apple Pencil Support Makes Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 S Pen Omission Inexcusable

Apple’s entry into the foldable phone market with the iPhone Duo has brought a major feature to the forefront that puts pressure on its main competitors. While Samsung has long been a pioneer in foldable devices, its recent design choices regarding stylus compatibility are facing renewed criticism following Apple's latest hardware launch.

Apple's first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, is finally here. It features the same short and wide form factor as the Galaxy Z Fold 8. However, it is noticeably thicker and substantially heavier than Samsung's latest foldable.

To make up for those compromises, the iPhone Duo offers a few compelling capabilities that are glaringly absent from Samsung's latest foldable.

A Surprising Advantage for Apple

Most notably, the iPhone Duo supports the Apple Pencil (USB-C). Although the stylus is an optional paid accessory that requires separate charging and cannot be stored within the device itself, it works on both the inner and outer screens.

Apple Pencil support is the most surprising part of the iPhone Duo, given that Apple co-founder Steve Jobs famously mocked phone styluses.

A Painful Step Backward for Samsung

For Samsung fans like us, seeing Apple implement stylus support is particularly painful. Samsung pioneered this feature in the foldable category when the Galaxy Z Fold 3 debuted with S Pen support back in 2021. That support continued until the Galaxy Z Fold 6 in 2024.

Unfortunately, to make foldables thinner and lighter, Samsung abandoned the S Pen with the Galaxy Z Fold 7. This year, too, neither of the two Galaxy Z Fold 8 series phones supports the S Pen.

Despite having excellent drawing and writing apps like Samsung Notes and PENUP, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra don't fully utilize their big screens for creativity and productivity.

No More Excuses for Omission

Yes, the iPhone Duo is thicker and more expensive than the Galaxy Z Fold 8. But Apple used the extra space to include several additional layers in the screen. These layers not only make the screen appear flatter and minimize the crease, but the anti-reflective matte coating at the top reportedly makes writing with the Apple Pencil feel similar to drawing on a real piece of paper.

Samsung can no longer use the excuse of a thinner device to exclude stylus support. Users will likely be willing to accept a slightly thicker device if it means gaining more useful features.

If Samsung wants to maintain its long-held leadership in the foldable market, it must find a way to bring S Pen support back to foldables with the Galaxy Z Fold 9 series next year.

Does the iPhone Duo support the Apple Pencil on both screens?

Yes, the iPhone Duo supports the Apple Pencil (USB-C) on both its inner foldable screen and its outer cover display.

Why did Samsung stop supporting the S Pen on recent foldables?

Samsung decided to drop S Pen support starting with the Galaxy Z Fold 7 in order to make the devices significantly thinner and lighter.

Does the Galaxy Z Fold 8 include an S Pen slot or compatibility?

No, neither the standard Galaxy Z Fold 8 nor the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra features built-in S Pen compatibility or digitizer layers.

Is the iPhone Duo thinner than the Galaxy Z Fold 8?

No, the iPhone Duo is noticeably thicker and heavier than Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8, which allowed Apple to integrate additional screen layers and stylus support.

Will Samsung bring back the S Pen in future models?

Industry experts and fans are strongly advocating for Samsung to reintroduce S Pen support in the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 9 series to stay competitive.

🔎 Ultimately, Apple's bold move to incorporate stylus functionality into the iPhone Duo proves that users value utility and enhanced productivity features over chasing minimal millimeter reductions in thickness. Samsung must listen to consumer feedback and restore the S Pen to its flagship foldables if it wishes to stay ahead of the curve.