Samsung Goes All-in On S-Pen
As we have previously noted, Samsung is expected to include the ability to use the S-Pen device on its upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 3 to be announced next month. The S-Pen has been an integral part of the Samsung Galaxy Note series that has been around since 2011. Samsung has ‘leaked’ the Z Fold 3 pricing in South Korea, which is expected to be between $1,500 and $1,660, however unlike the Galaxy Note series there will not be a slot in the Z Fold 3 to store the S-Pen. While this seems to already be a focus point for some bloggers, despite the expected lower overall price of the new model, it seems Samsung is also offering a case for the Z Fold 3 that includes a slot for the S-Pen, with the cost of the case and the pen in South Korea ~$76.00 US (the pen alone is ~$34 US).
Those spending ~$1,600 for a new smartphone, especially one that will have a foldable display that will be expensive to replace, should not hesitate to purchase a case for the phone, which will solve the S-Pen issue, and there will likely be a variety of alternative cases available once the official announcement is made, so the S-Pen ‘controversy’ should disappear. That said, Samsung also seems to have very significant confidence in the new Z Fold and how the price will affect sales, as the word among component suppliers is that Samsung has ordered 100,000 units of the Z Fold 3 for South Korean release, which is 10x the previous version, including last year’s pre-ordered units. If Samsung does sell through this large order quickly, it will set the tone for the entire foldable series to replace the Galaxy Note, which has seen declining sales over the last few years. Samsung has considered ending the series this year, but needs to fill the gap among it user base by offering the S-Pen with the Z Fold 3 to those that are already Samsung pen fans. Samsung is also expected to offer a ‘pro’ version of the pen that will allow gestures via bluetooth.
Those spending ~$1,600 for a new smartphone, especially one that will have a foldable display that will be expensive to replace, should not hesitate to purchase a case for the phone, which will solve the S-Pen issue, and there will likely be a variety of alternative cases available once the official announcement is made, so the S-Pen ‘controversy’ should disappear. That said, Samsung also seems to have very significant confidence in the new Z Fold and how the price will affect sales, as the word among component suppliers is that Samsung has ordered 100,000 units of the Z Fold 3 for South Korean release, which is 10x the previous version, including last year’s pre-ordered units. If Samsung does sell through this large order quickly, it will set the tone for the entire foldable series to replace the Galaxy Note, which has seen declining sales over the last few years. Samsung has considered ending the series this year, but needs to fill the gap among it user base by offering the S-Pen with the Z Fold 3 to those that are already Samsung pen fans. Samsung is also expected to offer a ‘pro’ version of the pen that will allow gestures via bluetooth.
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