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titoaida2078

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jul 3, 2020
209
154
I’ve been checking Amazon but the ones I saw didn’t list it as compatible with Fold 3 except for one that was like $40. Thanks
 

titoaida2078

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jul 3, 2020
209
154
Only Samsung makes a pen that's compatible with their phones. Either use an spen or you will damage the screen.

That’s not really true. Maybe for the fold 3 but it’s too early to tell rn. But there are alternatives for other Samsung phones on Amazon I’ve seen.
 

Klyster

macrumors 68020
Dec 7, 2013
2,231
2,642
The pro pen can be used on the fold and most other Samsung pen supported devices but there's a switch you need to use before using on zfold as it puts it in a mode with less resistance and won't damage the screen.
I'm sure there will be aftermarket pens available eventually but not at the moment.
 

hovscorpion12

macrumors 68040
Sep 12, 2011
3,044
3,123
USA
You need to use the S Pen Pro or S Pen Fold edition. No other stylus will work. The Fold 3 is designed to only work with the S Pen fold edition or S Pen Pro.
 

ealexander

macrumors member
May 13, 2020
62
32
You need to use the S Pen Pro or S Pen Fold edition. No other stylus will work. The Fold 3 is designed to only work with the S Pen fold edition or S Pen Pro.

Doesn’t mean there won’t be alternatives. Maybe Samsung wants you to believe that but time will tell
 

LIVEFRMNYC

macrumors G3
Oct 27, 2009
8,877
10,987
Doesn’t mean there won’t be alternatives. Maybe Samsung wants you to believe that but time will tell

There will only be 3rd party styluses that act more like pointers. Basically replicating human touch. Which will take a huge portion of the experience away, and possibly damage the display.
 

ealexander

macrumors member
May 13, 2020
62
32
There will only be 3rd party styluses that act more like pointers. Basically replicating human touch. Which will take a huge portion of the experience away, and possibly damage the display.

You’re all speaking about things that haven’t happened yet or at all. Let’s just see if there will be any first. Than I’ll judge them.

It’s too early to tell. I can’t even find a case that has a place for the spen besides from Samsung but I bet you there will be some sometime soon
 
Last edited:

LIVEFRMNYC

macrumors G3
Oct 27, 2009
8,877
10,987
You’re all speaking about things that haven’t happened yet or at all. Let’s just see if there will be any first. Than I’ll judge them.

This S-Pen is very specific to the Fold 3. I tried it on my Tab S7+ and it barely works, it's erratic. And if you try another S-Pen on the Fold 3, a popup will appear before you can even touch the display, basically saying to use the S-Pen design for it, and it will not work. There's also a spring inside this S-Pen that so the (very soft) tip can slightly retract and extend to prevent poking/scratching the display.

So being that said:

Any possible future 3rd party S-pen that's approved by Samsung, will be much more than $40.
Any possible future 3rd party S-pen that's NOT approved by Samsung, will most likely damage the display.

Now tell me which company is going to go through that headache for a $40 or less stylus that's only compatible for one device?
 

titoaida2078

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jul 3, 2020
209
154
This S-Pen is very specific to the Fold 3. I tried it on my Tab S7+ and it barely works, it's erratic. And if you try another S-Pen on the Fold 3, a popup will appear before you can even touch the display, basically saying to use the S-Pen design for it, and it will not work. There's also a spring inside this S-Pen that so the (very soft) tip can slightly retract and extend to prevent poking/scratching the display.

So being that said:

Any possible future 3rd party S-pen that's approved by Samsung, will be much more than $40.
Any possible future 3rd party S-pen that's NOT approved by Samsung, will most likely damage the display.

Now tell me which company is going to go through that headache for a $40 or less stylus that's only compatible for one device?

Let’s see and find out


FYI. Straight from Samsung’s website

Compatible with Samsung Galaxy smartphones, tablets and PCs that support S Pen. All devices must be logged in to the same Samsung account
 
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