Samsung’s Galaxy S Ultra phones have become the de facto successor to the beloved Galaxy Note series, largely thanks to the integrated S Pen stylus. This signature feature, nestled neatly within a dedicated silo, has been a key differentiator for Samsung’s top-tier flagships. However, recent leaks suggest a potentially significant shift for the upcoming Galaxy S26 Ultra that could see the S Pen experience fundamentally change, possibly making way for new charging technology.
According to a tipster known as @PandaFlashPro on X (formerly Twitter), Samsung might be planning to remove the S Pen digitizer from the Galaxy S26 Ultra. The digitizer is the underlying hardware layer built into the phone’s display that allows the stylus to function with precision.
Why Remove the S Pen Digitizer?
The primary motivation behind ditching this core S Pen component is reportedly to free up internal space within the phone’s body. Modern smartphones are packed with intricate components, and every millimeter counts when adding new features or enhancing existing ones.
The space potentially vacated by the digitizer could be used to accommodate a highly anticipated feature: Qi2 magnetic wireless charging. Similar to Apple’s popular MagSafe system, Qi2 offers precise magnetic alignment for more efficient and reliable wireless charging. While Samsung’s premium phones have offered wireless charging for years, they haven’t had a magnetic solution as seamless as MagSafe. Integrating Qi2 could make the S26 Ultra significantly more competitive in this area.
What This Means for the S Pen
The potential removal of the digitizer has major implications for the S Pen’s functionality. Current Galaxy S Ultra models utilize Wacom EMR (Electro-Magnetic Resonance) technology via the digitizer. This tech enables the S Pen’s most advanced features, including:
Highly precise cursor tracking
Detecting various levels of pressure sensitivity (crucial for drawing and writing)
Sensing when the pen is hovering above the display
Facilitating button functions
If the digitizer is removed, the S Pen would likely lose many, if not all, of these core advanced capabilities. This wouldn’t be entirely unprecedented; reports indicated that the Galaxy S25 Ultra already saw a reduction in some S Pen features, suggesting Samsung may be exploring different approaches to stylus integration or potentially phasing out some functionality over time.
The tipster also hinted that if Qi2 magnetic wireless charging proves successful on the next Ultra phone, Samsung might look to implement it across other models in its lineup.
The Future of the Built-in Stylus Slot
Interestingly, this leak about the S26 Ultra potentially losing the digitizer comes alongside a separate, earlier report that suggested Samsung might remove the physical S Pen silo (the built-in storage slot) starting with the even further-out Galaxy S27 Ultra.
These combined rumors paint a picture of uncertainty surrounding the S Pen’s long-term presence and functionality within the Galaxy S Ultra series. While the immediate timeline and specific changes are still based on leaks, the trend suggests that the S Pen era, which began prominently with the Note series, might be undergoing a significant transformation or even nearing its end in its current form, driven perhaps by the desire to integrate competing technologies like magnetic charging.
For fans who rely on the S Pen’s precise features for productivity and creativity, the possibility of the digitizer’s removal on the S26 Ultra will undoubtedly be a key point of discussion and concern as more leaks emerge.
