Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra to reportedly feature S Pen support

Details of Samsung’s next flagship, the Galaxy S21 series, have already begun leaking. Renders of the device leaked in October, showing off a massive camera bump at the rear that integrates with the chassis. Other details such as the specifications have also been speculated. The S21 series is also reportedly not going to come with a charger or wired earphones in the box. The devices are expected to be launched in January, earlier than the usual schedule for the S series flagships’ launches.

Now, reliable leaker Ice Universe has claimed with certainty on Twitter that the Galaxy S21 Ultra – the top-of-the-line flagship – will support the S Pen, which will be a first for any S series flagship. Rumors of the S series devices supporting the Note series' stylus were making the rounds earlier this year, leading to speculation about whether the firm will ditch the Note line in favor of its foldable offerings while merging the former with the S series. The plausible explanation for the decision could be that the S and Note series phones are increasingly similar in capability, with the stylus being the only differentiating feature on the latter.

However, those plans currently are just that – speculation. Support for the S Pen does not necessarily mean that the South Korean firm will retire the Note line this year, or that the S21 Ultra will house a silo for the S Pen. It is possible that the rumored LTPO panel that is said to bring support for variable screen refresh rates also features a digitizer layer – just like on the Note20 Ultra – that enables support for the S Pen.

It will be interesting to see if the firm does ship support for the stylus and how it markets the feature – all without affecting the appeal of the Note20 line adversely.