For years, the S Pen has been a familiar fixture in Samsung’s top-tier smartphones, tucked neatly into the body of the Galaxy Note and later the Ultra series. It’s been a handy tool for note-taking, sketching, and navigating—something many users have grown attached to. But according to recent reports, that built-in slot may not stick around for much longer.
A recent leak from X user @PandaFlashPro suggests that Samsung is considering removing the S Pen slot starting with the Galaxy S27 Ultra. The upcoming S26 Ultra is still expected to include it, but the models that follow may shift to an external S Pen format, similar to what we’ve seen with the Galaxy Z Fold series.
The main reason? Internal space. The stylus slot takes up valuable room inside the phone—space that could be used for a larger battery or other hardware enhancements.
Samsung has made similar changes in the past—like removing the bundled charger and switching from a 5A to a 3A charging cable, which has caused some compatibility issues with 45W chargers. If the S Pen slot is removed, it’s possible the stylus will no longer be included in the box and instead be sold separately.
This wouldn’t be too surprising, considering industry trends and Samsung’s move toward simplifying packaging and increasing accessory-based revenue. Users might see new cases that include a dedicated slot for the S Pen, offering a compromise between design flexibility and usability.
The Bluetooth functionality of the S Pen was removed with the Galaxy S25 Ultra, reportedly because few users were taking advantage of it. However, if the stylus becomes an optional external accessory, Samsung might consider bringing Bluetooth features back—possibly in a premium version of the S Pen.
That could mean added features and more customization, but likely at an additional cost. It’s a shift from the all-in-one convenience of past models, but it also opens the door to more specialized stylus options for users who want them.
None of this is confirmed just yet, and Samsung hasn’t made any official announcements about removing the S Pen slot. For now, the S26 Ultra seems safe. But if the leaks are accurate, the Galaxy S Ultra lineup could be in for a subtle but meaningful change—one that reflects a broader shift in how smartphone features are packaged and sold.
