I remember the disappointment of long-time Samsung Galaxy Z Fold users when Samsung removed S pen compatibility for the Galaxy Z Fold 7.
I understood the company’s reasoning, and it was important for Samsung to deliver a thin, book-style folding phone, like all those impressive devices we’ve seen from overseas.
However, that didn’t make the omission less frustrating, especially since such a large internal display is ideal for stylus input.
Motorola looks to correct that with the Razr Fold, as the device supports the new Motorola Pen Ultra.
Folding phones are great for content creators, with the large internal canvas supporting better photo and video editing, and a stylus helps.
Expensive folding phones already deal in the margins, so bringing back an enthusiast favorite may be enough to generate some excitement around the Razr Fold; here’s why.
Samsung fans were left disappointed
I didn’t expect that kind of outpouring
I’m an avid S Pen defender and was annoyed when Samsung nerfed its capabilities in the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
I don’t know what company research it did that said people didn’t use the S Pen regularly, but it couldn’t be further from the truth.
When I pay that kind of money, I want the feature there for the times I need it. Did I take selfies every day using the S Pen’s remote shutter? No, but it was amazing that when I did need it, it was there.
Still, I never really used the S Pen on the Galaxy Z Fold series. If the pen isn’t in the device, I don’t bother carrying it around.
I was hoping the Galaxy Z Fold would become Samsung’s last enthusiast phone, and that the company would find a way to fit the S Pen inside.
That’s not to be, but keeping compatibility seemed like a good idea, and others seem to agree.
I’ve spoken with so many disappointed users who took full advantage of the S Pen on the Galaxy Z Fold, and it makes sense.
Many S pens are used for content creation and business
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 misses out on being more versatile
It wasn’t until I spoke to users that I understood how important the S Pen was on the Galaxy Z Fold.
For content creators, it’s fantastic. It makes editing photos so much easier, and it makes sense. You can get more detailed, exact changes to your photos in a way a finger never could.
It also helps with drawing if you treat your Galaxy Z Fold more like a tablet. I know plenty of people who work on their YouTube thumbnails using a Galaxy Z Fold, and the loss of S Pen functionality hurts.
I would never edit videos on a smartphone, even a book-style fold, but plenty of people do. The S Pen makes it easier to edit and scrub through a timeline, even adding effects.
If you’re spending big money on a folding phone, you want to use it for more than just scrolling through Instagram, and the S Pen helped.
The Motorola Razr Fold can fill that void. The Motorola Pen Ultra can give content creators what they need, and presumably for less money than the Galaxy Z Fold 7.
It’ll also be fantastic for business owners, as it lets them sign documents and mark up PDF files.
Motorola needs to offer something different if it wants to compete with Google and Samsung as a new player in large-screen folding phones, and stylus support is a good start.
Motorola faces other challenges with the Razr Fold
It’s not a slam dunk
I want to be enthusiastic about the Razr Fold, but Motorola faces an uphill battle.
Being removed from AT&T stores doesn’t help, as carrier deals and financing help buyers offset much of the purchase price.
Folds aren’t cheap, and if people can add $40 to $50 to their monthly bill instead of laying out $1,500 all at once, you have a better chance of selling more phones.
So while the Razr Fold will have a sticker price advantage over the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and added stylus support, it’s still possible it’ll lose out to Samsung’s top foldable.
I’m less worried about the hinge and durability on the Razr Fold, even though it’s Motorola’s first book-style folding device.
The hinges on my other Razr phones have held up beautifully, and this year’s hinge on the Razr Ultra is rock solid, even after heavy use.
So while durability wouldn’t prevent me from buying a Razr Fold, the company has to overcome other challenges with its new device.
If you need a stylus, the Razr Fold is the only game in town
If you’re someone who was upset when Samsung got rid of S Pen support on the Galaxy Z Fold 7, at least there’s another home for you when the Razr Fold releases.
It’s a niche feature on a niche product, but that’s what it takes to differentiate phones with similar form factors and high prices.
