The $1,799 Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 asks you to pay even more for S Pen

The $1,799 Samsung Milky way Z Fold 3 asks you to pay even more than for S Pen — what?

(Epitome credit: Samsung)

Samsung'due south Galaxy Z Fold 3 certainly looks to be an impressive follow-upwards to the phone maker's premiere foldable phone. Our Galaxy Z Fold iii review remains in progress, but you can't help but permit out a low admiring whistle when you gaze upon the 120Hz displays — both inside and outside! — the under-display photographic camera and the number of apps that have been optimized for the phone'south foldable screen.

Throw in the promise of improved durability and the new IPX8 water-resistance rating, and you'd assume that Samsung has a winning phone on its hands.

Despite all that expert news, at that place'south one big bummer near the Galaxy Z Fold 3 that threatens to eliminate whatsoever goodwill I feel about the new foldable. And it'due south how Samsung opted to handle support for the S Pen.

Here are the reasons to buy and skip the Milky way Z Fold 3
Galaxy Z Fold 3 pre-orders: Find the all-time deal
Plus: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3: Should you get Southward Pen Fold Edition or Due south Pen Pro?

Don't go me wrong — it'due south very good that the Galaxy Z Fold three has added back up for Samsung's stylus, especially with a Galaxy Note not happening in 2021. On a screen as large every bit the Z Fold 3'south 7.6-inch display, the S Pen really has a hazard to polish and exist the productivity booster that makes foldable phones a more compelling option for some people.

What sticks in my craw is that Samsung is doing the same thing with the Milky way Z Fold 3 that it did with the Milky way S21 Ultra earlier this year — the S Pen is sold equally a separate accompaniment. And because there's no slot in either phone to concur the stylus, yous've got to choice up a case, too.

I get that plumbing fixtures an Southward Pen slot into a folding phone is a complicated job. You merely needed to sit through Samsung's very in-depth explanation of all the work that went into adding a digitizer to the display to realize what a complicated fleck of technology whatsoever alter to the Z Fold'due south design requires. In light of that, turning to a phone case to besides concur the S Pen feels like the best solution possible.

Merely dear lord — don't make people pay extra for that. The Galaxy Z Fold three already costs a lofty $1,799. On top of that, Samsung expects y'all to pay extra to use of the phone's marquee additions. That takes some existent brass.

Galaxy Z Fold 3 Flip Cover with S Pen — (Paradigm credit: Samsung)

Samsung offers a solution in the course of its Galaxy Z Fold 3 Flip Embrace with South Pen, a $79 accompaniment that only brings the cost of your phone to $one,878. Considering the S Pen on its own only costs $49, you're essentially paying another $xxx to bundle in a case, which seems like a deal on the surface. Merely continue in mind you're getting the standard Southward Pen, the i without Bluetooth connectivity. So y'all'll be missing out on features like Air Gestures that people who buy the $99 S Pen Pro will get to enjoy.

Your purchases don't stop with the S Pen and the instance, by the manner. Considering the Milky way Z Fold iii doesn't transport with either a charger or a pair of headphones; you'll need to add those on, too — assuming you don't have spares of either, lying effectually. If y'all're non careful, that $ane,799 cost on the Galaxy Z Fold 3 is going to showtime ticking up closer to the $one,999 Samsung was charging for last year's Galaxy Z Fold two.

This is no way to provide a premium smartphone experience. And make no mistake — that's what Samsung is trying to sell with the Galaxy Z Fold 3. Everything about the phone — its blueprint, its dual screens, its performance — screams out luxury. With the Galaxy Z Flip 3 starting at a more affordable $999, it's clear that Samsung recognizes that the Galaxy Z Fold 3 isn't going to entreatment to anybody. Instead, it's a telephone aimed at users who want a premium experience.

And so why non requite them exactly that by including everything they need — Due south Pen, case, charger — right out of the box? At the very least the S Pen and case with holster should be standard.

I'm by no ways a machine guy. Only I'chiliad pretty certain if I were to walk into a luxury car dealer and plop down whatever astronomical sum would net me the finest sedan, the adjacent matter the salesman is going to say won't exist "Tires are extra, bub." That's what it feels similar for Samsung to charge an additional fee for the S Pen and the example and whatever else you need to get the nearly out of an already expensive phone. That these fees are relatively nominal compared to what you're paying for the Fold itself is beside the point — it comes across as nickel-and-diming customers who are already willing to pay top dollar.

Every bit I've said, our Galaxy Z Fold iii review is ongoing and by the fourth dimension we wrap up testing, the foldable phone's strengths could heavily outweigh the fact that yous have to pony upwards for an S Pen. Merely outset impressions count for something, and equally far equally the Milky way Z Fold iii is concerned, charging even more on elevation of the standard $1,799 price doesn't make a great i.

Philip Michaels is a senior editor at Tom'south Guide. He has potent opinions about Apple, the Oakland Athletics and quondam movies. Follow him at @PhilipMichaels.