Order in the pen chaos of Samsung devices
16-4-2024
Translation: machine translated
If you want to use a Samsung tablet or smartphone with a stylus, there are a few points to bear in mind: not all models are suitable and the styluses are almost never fully compatible with each other.
Not all Samsung tablets are the same. The Korean company has countless models in its range. The same applies to the corresponding pens, the S-Pens. They are also compatible with certain smartphones and you can buy them in bundles or separately. That makes things complicated. I will therefore go through various use cases.
You want a new Samsung tablet with stylus
Only Samsung S-series tablets work with a stylus. The "Samsung Galaxy Tab S" plus subsequent number is the flagship. Serial numbers 6 to 9 are currently available, including the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Light. The higher the number, the newer the model. The S models have technology from graphics tablet manufacturer Wacom built in. This enables the tablet to recognise the type of pen and react to pressure and inclination when writing.
A pen is always included with the Samsung Galaxy Tab S. So you can't go wrong for the time being.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 in the three possible variants:
Samsung sells the Fan Edition as a cheaper version of the flagships. Recognisable by an "FE" at the end of the name. Unlike the regular Galaxy Tab S, the Fan Edition has a technology that works without Bluetooth. That's why the S-Pen is slightly different here than on the other tablets. You can also use the S-Pens on the other tablets purely for writing.
The latest Fan Edition S9 FE:
The Tab A series from Samsung is the cheapest of the bunch and has no Wacom technology built in. Pens generally do not work with it.
You want a Samsung smartphone with a stylus
If you want a smartphone with a stylus, go for an Ultra model from the Samsung Galaxy S series. Here, too, a stylus is included and you can't go wrong.
The latest model is the Galaxy S24 Ultra:
If you want a foldable with a stylus, Samsung has the Galaxy Z Fold. This is the variant that folds out like a book. The latest model is the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5, but please note that it does not come with a stylus. However, there is a cover with a stylus on the back. This only works for the inside of the foldable. The outer display does not have the technology built in.
The latest Foldable Galaxy Z Fold 5 (without stylus):
The matching case with included S-Pen:
You want a replacement pen for an existing device
The replacement pen for your device is a little more complex. You need to know this: You can use the S-Pen in its full range of functions for more than just writing. It can also be used as a remote control, shutter release for photos or for zooming. You can also charge the pen's battery directly on the tablet at the magnetic point on the long edge. These additional functions only work with the exact S-Pen that comes with your tablet model.
There is one exception: The models in the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 and Tab S8 series have the same S-Pen and are therefore compatible with each other.
Pen for the Galaxy Tab S7 and S8 series:
Pen for the Galaxy Tab S9 series:
If you only want to be able to write on your device without additional functions, you can use any S Pen from Samsung. This includes a pen from one of the Samsung smartphones. The S-Pen does not need to be charged for writing. However, the S-Pens of other generations have a slightly different shape. If you have a case with space for the pen, the new pen may not fit in it. The S-Pens for Samsung smartphones are the cheapest.
S-Pen for the Galaxy Ultras:
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
S-Pen for the foldable Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5:
You want one pen for multiple devices
Do you have several Samsung tablets from different series and want to use the same stylus? Or do you have a Galaxy Tab S4 or S5 for which there is no longer a stylus to buy?
For such cases, there is the Samsung S-Pen Pro. Although it is a little more expensive, it is not limited to a specific Galaxy S model and offers the full range of functions.
The catch: wireless charging via the magnetic holder is not available. This varies from model to model. Samsung therefore uses the only option that works for all tablets: a USB-C plug.
Why so complicated?
Couldn't Samsung offer a stylus for everything from the start? Yes and no. If Samsung's tablets had all used the same technology, this might have been possible. But the technology has improved over the years and Samsung had to adapt the pens accordingly. With the later S-Pen Pro, the manufacturer wanted to counteract the chaos afterwards.
Samsung is not alone in this. Apple's pens have also changed over the years. The result is the same as with Samsung: a confusing selection of Apple Pencils. I wrote about this in an earlier article.
In my world, Super Mario chases Stormtroopers with a unicorn and Harley Quinn mixes cocktails for Eddie and Peter at the beach bar. Wherever I can live out my creativity, my fingers tingle. Or maybe it's because nothing flows through my veins but chocolate, glitter and coffee.
