No, the Fold 8 doesn't have an S Pen — but Samsung is ‘exploring’ its return for future Folds

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 and S Pen — (Image credit: Tom's Guide)

The last time we saw a Galaxy Z Fold with S Pen support it was the Galaxy Z Fold 6. But Samsung ditched the digitizer on the Galaxy Z Fold 7 in order to make the device as thin as possible.

The bad news is that the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra don’t bring the S Pen back. Samsung is clearly still prioritizing thinness while also rolling out new innovations like Flex Titanium to make the new foldables close to crease-free.

But don’t write off the S Pen just yet.

S Pen comeback?

During a Q&A session with Samsung EVP HS Moon here in London ahead of Galaxy Unpacked, he seemed open to the idea of a stylus returning to the (ahem) Fold.

“Our decisions are always shaped around the priorities that we have for that generation (of foldable phones), and for this generation, our priorities were about offering foldables that were slimmer, lighter, and basically more portable devices that also offer large viewing experiences,” said Moon through an interpreter.

Moon said that Samsung will monitor user reactions and that Samsung is "committed to providing the maximum user experience.”

Here’s the money quote though: “We continue to explore and consider various more innovative technologies that incorporate (a) digitizer and S Pen in an even slimmer form factor,” Moon said.

What’s great about this statement — to me, anyway — is that Samsung doesn’t seem willing to sacrifice the thinness of the design in order to incorporate S Pen support, even though I’m sure there are some users out there who wouldn’t mind trading 0.1mm of thickness in their foldable for a stylus.

Privacy Display could be coming to foldables, too

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra shown in hand — (Image credit: Tom's Guide)

So what about the Privacy Display feature found on the Galaxy S26 Ultra. Designed to block content from would-be onlookers, it’s one of the best display innovations in years. But this also didn’t make its way to the Galaxy Z Fold 8 series.

Fortunately, Samsung is keenly aware of the buzz and seems willing to at least probe if it’s possible for the Galaxy Fold lineup.

“We are very happy to see all of the positive excitement and the user feedback about the (Privacy Display) feature that we offered for the first time in the S26 series,” Moon shared. “We continue to explore various possibilities of expanding our advanced technologies across our lineup, and that would include Privacy Display as well.”

Mark Spoonauer is the global editor in chief of Tom's Guide and has covered technology for over 20 years. In addition to overseeing the direction of Tom's Guide, Mark specializes in covering all things mobile, having reviewed dozens of smartphones and other gadgets. He has spoken at key industry events and appears regularly on TV to discuss the latest trends, including Cheddar, Fox Business and other outlets. Mark was previously editor in chief of Laptop Mag, and his work has appeared in Wired, Popular Science and Inc. Follow him on Twitter at @mspoonauer.