It seems more likely than ever that the Galaxy Note line as we know it is on its way out, and that’s sure to be dire news for fans of the S Pen. Or will it? With this year’s Galaxy S21 Ultra launch, Samsung is trying to give its fan-favorite stylus a life of sorts beyond the Note — but you’ll have to find one yourself.
If you have an old Galaxy Note lying around, you’re golden — just pop that S Pen out and sketch away. You can buy a brand new one for $40 from Samsung or shell out an extra $30 for a silicone case/S Pen bundle if you don’t. That last option seems like the most comprehensive option because it gives Samsung’s stylus somewhere to live, but after living with it for a week… well, let’s say it’s been a mixed bag.
Mind you, that’s not because of the S Pen itself. I like this thing — it’s one of the most comfortable S Pens I’ve ever used. That comfort is all thanks to the S Pen’s size. At just over four inches long, its heft and feel have more in common with a classic ballpoint than the small stylus built into Samsung’s Galaxy Note smartphones.
