No Note Series From Samsung This Year, S Pen Support Coming for Foldables
Updated: Aug 21, 2021
Instead of unveiling the Samsung Galaxy Note 21, Samsung will announce the Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3 in its Unpacked event on 11 August 2021.
“As we explore new ways to empower you, we often venture into uncharted territory. That’s how we ended up creating a brand-new category with the launch of the Galaxy Fold. And we didn’t stop there. We kept improving the category with our second generation of foldables, the Galaxy Z Fold 2 and the Galaxy Z Flip, with more screen and more of the features you now know and love. I’m excited to say our third generation of foldable devices will open up amazing new multitasking capabilities and enhanced durability for even more people around the world,” wrote Samsung’s President and Head of Mobile Communications, TM Roh, in a blog post dated 26 July 2021.
Credit: Evan Blass
The executive went on to hint that the next Galaxy Z Fold aims to provide the functionality of both a tablet and a smartphone, allowing users to work and play with just one device.
Leaker Evan Blass has also released a list of specs regarding the new foldable phones' cameras as well as a possible IPX8 water resistance rating.
Credit: Future
Roh also boasted the upcoming Z Flip’s improvement in terms of design and durability, emphasising that stronger materials were used to make the device.
Aside from handheld devices, Samsung will introduce its first S Pen designed especially for foldable phones.
Following up on that, the company said that it will add certain features usually reserved for the Note series to other Galaxy products. If Samsung will continually include Note features in other phones, then it could be a sign that the company is looking to phase out the Note series entirely.
Software innovations are on the horizon as well. Collaborating with Google to broaden its foldable ecosystems, Samsung will be working with Google and Microsoft to optimise popular apps such as video conferencing platform Google Duo as well as Microsoft Teams on their foldable phones.
The Samsung Galaxy Unpacked event will be live-streamed on Samsung's website on 11 August, 10pm SGT, with pre-registration of interest available at Samsung's website.
Written by Sophia Lopez