Left: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 cover screen, Right: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 cover screen
Credit: Ryan Whitwam / Android Authority
- Samsung is considering removing the digitizer layer from the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 7 to achieve a slimmer design.
- The recently launched Galaxy Z Fold SE also ditched the digitizer, sacrificing S Pen support for a thinner build.
- The Galaxy Z Fold 7 might still retain S Pen support, but it will come with a much thicker stylus that won’t slot into the phone.
Samsung’s foldable phone dominance is under pressure, and it seems the company is making some bold design decisions to keep up with the competition. According to a new report from ET News, the company is exploring drastic changes for its next foldable, likely the Galaxy Z Fold 7, including dropping the digitizer — the component that makes pen input possible — to shave down its thickness. (via Jukanlosreve on X/Twitter)
Foldable phones have come a long way since Samsung pioneered the segment, but rivals, particularly Chinese brands, have outpaced Samsung in areas like design and hardware thickness. The Galaxy Z Fold 6, for example, sits at the bottom of the “thinness chart” compared to other foldables launching in 2024.