Miss S Pen on Galaxy Z Fold 8 series? Last-minute leak says foldable iPhone will have it

The latest leak from Android Authority confirms Samsung will market its next‑generation foldable as the Galaxy Z Fold 8, releasing it in the fourth quarter of 2024 with a price point positioned in the high‑end segment. Crucially, the device will no longer support the S Pen that Samsung offered as an optional accessory on the previous Z Fold 5, signaling a strategic shift away from stylus integration on its flagship foldable. At the same time, a separate, last‑minute rumor claims Apple’s upcoming foldable iPhone—rumored to be unveiled in 2025—will include a proprietary stylus, effectively flipping the stylus advantage that Samsung once held.

This development arrives amid an intensifying foldable arms race. Samsung has dominated the market for three years, using the S Pen as a differentiator to attract power users and creative professionals. By removing the stylus, Samsung may be betting that improvements in screen durability, hinge engineering, and multitasking software will outweigh the loss of a niche but vocal user segment. Apple’s alleged stylus inclusion could raise the performance bar, forcing Samsung to either re‑introduce stylus support or double down on other value propositions such as battery life, camera upgrades, or software ecosystems. The move also reflects broader industry trends where manufacturers weigh the cost and complexity of stylus hardware against the incremental revenue it generates.

If Samsung’s decision proves unpopular, we could see a dip in pre‑order enthusiasm, especially among enterprise buyers who rely on pen input for note‑taking and design work. Conversely, a strong reception to Apple’s stylus‑enabled foldable could pressure Samsung to launch a retro‑fitted pen accessory or a new “S Pen Pro” variant. Watch for Samsung’s official event announcements, the final pricing breakdown, and any follow‑up leaks about accessory bundles that might mitigate the stylus omission.