Samsung to Add Built-In S Pen to Future Galaxy TriFold Foldable

Samsung could finally be fixing one of the biggest shortcomings of its tri-fold foldable phones – the lack of a built-in S Pen.

A newly surfaced Samsung patent reveals the company is experimenting with a hinge-based storage system for the stylus in what could become the Galaxy Z TriFold 2, according to multiple reports and patent renders published this week.

Rather than housing the S Pen inside the body like the Galaxy S Ultra range, Samsung’s design integrates the stylus directly into the foldable hinge assembly.

Patent images shared by tipster @xleaks7 show the pen stored vertically within a dedicated compartment built into the hinge itself.

The patent suggests the system would use magnetic retention to keep the stylus secure, while also supporting charging and detection features to recognise whether the pen is docked correctly.

The move would address a major omission in Samsung’s first-generation tri-fold device, which launched without S Pen support due to the engineering complexity of fitting multiple hinges, flexible displays, batteries and cooling systems into an ultra-thin chassis.

The move comes just months after the company pulled the original Galaxy Z TriFold from sale only three months after launch.

The experimental foldable, which retailed for US$2,899, was released in extremely limited quantities and reportedly suffered from poor production economics despite strong demand. It was never released in Australia.

Reports from South Korea claimed Samsung shipped only a few thousand units per production batch before ending sales, with the device largely viewed as a technology showcase rather than a mainstream product.

The new patent suggests Samsung is still actively exploring the future of tri-fold devices, particularly for productivity-focused users who want stylus support for note-taking, multitasking and creative work.

However, the design may come with compromises. Some renders indicate one section of the foldable could become narrower than the others to accommodate the stylus slot, potentially creating an asymmetrical design.

There are also concerns about durability, with parts of the foldable display seemingly forming the storage channel around the pen.

The patent arrives as Samsung reportedly works to make its next-generation TriFold thinner and lighter – a challenge that could become harder with an integrated stylus system onboard.

Still, built-in S Pen support would significantly boost the productivity appeal of a tri-fold device.

As always with patents, there’s no guarantee the feature will make it into a commercial product.