Ever since Samsung launched S Pen assist to the Galaxy Z Fold sequence in 2021, we have been pining for a Z Fold that features an S Pen. Last yr, Samsung made a case that slots the large S Pen on the again but it surely added a whole telephone’s thickness to the package deal, making it a bit pocket-unfriendly.This yr, Samsung redesigned the S Pen so it is flat on two sides however nonetheless as huge because the bigger S Pen Fold Edition. It’s utilizing that S Pen to fit into a singular clip-in holster on the again of this new Galaxy Z Fold 5 case and it feels positively wonderful.This case solves many issues together with packing the S Pen in with the telephone, defending the telephone, and, someway, not including a lot bulk in any respect to the brand new slimmer and sleeker Z Fold 5. But it is not with out its issues as early adopters have discovered. Is it definitely worth the $100? For anybody who loves the S Pen, completely.Today’s finest Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 Slim S Pen Case offersSlim it down(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)It’s nearly comical evaluating the earlier Z Fold 4 S Pen case with the brand new Slim S Pen case on the Fold 5. I’m by no means exaggerating once I say the outdated mannequin is a whole telephone thicker than the brand new mannequin. That’s 8mm thinner, to be particular.It sounds fairly apparent to say, however that is an enormous deal and makes it attainable for extra individuals to make use of the brand new case. The outdated case was fairly actually too thick to suit into some pockets, and the brand new one helps that significantly.Impressively, this slimming down hasn’t affected the model or protecting nature of the case, which nonetheless does an important job of defending a lot of the telephone from scratches and bumps.The clear draw back to this design is that there isn’t any hinge safety, which can or could not hassle you. I’m not an individual who drops their telephone typically, so I’m primarily in search of scratch resistance and further grippiness in my circumstances. Not to say, in fact, the addition of the S Pen itself.This case is not simply thinner and extra practical, it is also extra enjoyable because of the out there colorways.Our evaluate unit is the ever-boring black colorway, however Samsung appears to have remembered that colour exists this yr, providing extra distinctive colorways like gray/orange and blue/lime. I actually like these new colours and would extremely suggest both of them, having seen them in particular person again on the hands-on session for the Fold 5 in July.This case additionally solves the age-old downside of telephone wobble. Having the pen holster vertically aligned with the aspect implies that the telephone sits almost flat on a desk and would not wobble in any respect. Conversely, the telephone wobbles like loopy with out a case when it is on a desk or different flat floor.(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)The S Pen is held in a clip holster on the again of the case. This clip sits on the high of the holster and slides all the way down to launch the pen. Once you slide the clip down, the S Pen is propped up just a few millimeters for simple elimination. I significantly like this design as a result of it would not eject the pen. It slides it up so you may simply seize it.That’s necessary as a result of it prevents the pen from falling out of the holster underneath regular circumstances. The pen is changed again within the holster by placing the tip in first, adopted by urgent down on the alternative finish to lock it in.(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)Having the S Pen in an precise holster on the again ensures it stays in place, but it surely’s additionally much less handy than final yr’s slide-in answer. Samsung selected this new design as a result of it helps additional slim down the holster, but it surely additionally makes it barely tougher to take away than the outdated design.That’s to not say that is tough to take away or to make use of, however the added friction of the expertise might trigger some customers to truly use the S Pen lower than they could have with the outdated design. Yes, it sounds humorous, however people are inherently lazy, particularly in the case of repetitive duties.Less friction is at all times higher with a majority of these merchandise, and this one, sadly, introduces extra friction. Not much less.(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)For me, this pen is the right middle-ground measurement between the comfortable-but-massive S Pen Fold Edition and the convenient-but-uncomfortable S Pen present in telephones just like the Galaxy S23 Ultra.My colleague Andrew Myrick says he prefers the bigger S Pen and whereas I do not disagree with him for consolation’s sake, I believe slimming this factor down a bit is extra useful than it’s dangerous.The new Slim S Pen is a good center floor between earlier S Pen mannequin configurations and dimensions.The new S Pen has flat “front” and “back” sides, which makes it really feel extra like a big model of the S Pen within the Galaxy S23 Ultra. Initially, I assumed this may make it considerably simpler to seek out the button and never spin the pen on a regular basis.In apply, it undoubtedly improves the expertise, however not as drastically as I initially hoped. I believe we nonetheless want a bit extra of a tactile really feel on the button — both some form of texture or making the button extra recessed into the S Pen’s body — but it surely’s not an enormous deal general.A word on defects(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)Since the Fold 5 launched, some customers who’ve bought the Slim S Pen Case have obtained faulty models. While they appear simply nice on the floor, one thing went improper within the manufacturing or delivery course of that warped the holster for the S Pen.The result’s an S Pen that wobbles or spins within the holder on the again and falls out at any given time. Knowing Murphy’s Law, this implies the pen will fall out within the worst place attainable.Neither Andrew Myrick nor myself have been capable of replicate this downside. Reddit and Twitter replies additionally appear to counsel that it would not have an effect on all circumstances, both. We reached out to Samsung, and so they acknowledged the problem.“We are conscious that in some situations, the S Pen could not totally click on into the Galaxy Z Fold5 Slim S Pen Case. Users who could expertise this will alternate their current case for a brand new case by contacting the shop or web site the place they bought the gadget.”It’s good that Samsung has found out the problem, however this is not precisely one thing somebody expects to see in a $100 case. Hopefully, future batches will not be affected.Outside of those unusual circumstances, the Slim S Pen Case is a murals and is definitely my favourite official Samsung case ever made. It’s lots to ask $100 for a case however, should you consider related circumstances just like the Spigen Thin Fit P, it is proper on the mark. Plus, it is nice to have the S Pen included within the field and never should buy one individually.
Slim S Pen Case for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5
Slap an S Pen on the again of your Fold with out including tons of bulk or thickness. It’s laborious to argue with the usability of the S Pen when it is this simple so as to add one!