Samsung Slim S Pen Case for Galaxy Z Fold 5 Review

The Galaxy Z Fold 5 is the latest iteration of Samsung’s flagship phone-tablet foldable and arguably the best foldable device using the design on the market.

With its book-like foldable design, it redefines the boundaries of smartphone functionality. One of the key features of this device is its compatibility with the Samsung S Pen. However, the S Pen doesn’t come bundled with the phone, which leads us to the main focus of this review: the Samsung Slim S Pen Case for Galaxy Z Fold 5.

I got the Samsung Slim S Pen Case as part of the Fold5 Starter Pack, which has a bit of a ridiculous RRP of £99 but is available on Amazon for £70 and one of the offers when you buy the Galaxy Z Fold 5 is 50% off the starter pack taking it down to £35. This is a bit of a bargain, considering the RRP and the price of some other cases. 

Read my review of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5

Preview	Product	Rating	Price
	Samsung Galaxy Official Slim S Pen Case for Z Fold5,...	No ratings yet	£50.93	Buy on Amazon
	Samsung Galaxy Official Starter Pack for Z Fold5	No ratings yet	£42.85	Buy on Amazon

Features

The Samsung Slim S Pen Case for Galaxy Z Fold 5 is not just a protective case for the phone, but also a smart storage solution for the S Pen.

1. Slim Design: The case boasts a slim design that ensures portability and maintains the sleek profile of the Z Fold 5. It is 27% slimmer than its previous version, ensuring that the phone doesn’t feel bulky.
2. S Pen Storage: It features a built-in S Pen slot which is designed to store the S Pen without adding extra bulk to the phone.
3. Protective Cover: The case provides a protective cover to the phone, guarding it against scratches and accidental drops.
4. Colour Options: The case is available in a variety of vibrant colours, adding a stylish edge to your phone.

Design / Build

The Slim S Pen Case for Galaxy Z Fold 5 is a two-piece case that covers both the back and front of the device. The back piece houses the S Pen and provides a bumper around the triple camera array. The front piece, a bit thicker than some Fold cases, requires adhesive strips to stay affixed to the screen.

The S Pen slot has been innovatively designed. A simple slide of a button releases the S Pen, making it ready to use. When it’s time to store it away, you simply slide it back into place with a click. This innovative design ensures that the S Pen is always at your disposal without any hassles.

Installation

Installing the Samsung Slim S Pen Case on the Galaxy Z Fold 5 is a breeze. It comes in two pieces for the back and front of the Z Fold 5. The back piece, which features a slot for the stylus, easily snaps onto the back of the phone.

The front piece, on the other hand, requires adhesive strips to stay affixed to the screen, just like all the other Fold cases.

 Once installed, the case fits snugly, providing a good level of protection to the device without adding any significant bulk.

How Good is the Protection?

I haven’t deliberately done any tests to confirm the protection, I am not risking a £1800 phone on a case review. Nor have I had any accidents yet.

However, the Slim S Pen Case offers decent protection to the Galaxy Z Fold 5. It shields most of the phone from scratches and bumps. However, there’s no hinge protection, which may or may not be a concern for you, depending on how you handle your phone.

The front part of the case has a decent depth to the lip that raises above the screen. This should provide a reasonably good amount of protection for any face-down drops.

The case also sits flush with the raised camera lenses. It won’t avoid scratches or anything small and hard-hitting the lens directly, but it avoids you slamming the lens down on a hard surface whenever you place your done.

Please note that while the case offers a decent level of protection, it is not designed to withstand heavy drops or extreme conditions.

Samsung S Pen Storage – Is it Easy to Remove? Does it Fall Out?

The S Pen resides in a specially designed slot on the back of the Slim S Pen Case. The design of the slot ensures that the S Pen stays in place securely and shouldn’t fall out unintentionally.

To use the S Pen, you simply flick down the tab that holds it into place, and it pops out. While the popping-out mechanism is quite convenient, the S Pen pops outward, meaning there’s a chance it could hit the floor if not handled carefully.

I have noticed poor reviews for this case on both Amazon and Samsung. Many of the Amazon reviews seem to be talking about the protective film that you can buy for the front display.

However, many people seem to be complaining about how easy it is for the S Pen to fall out.

I can’t say I have experienced this problem yet. I think the problem may be because you need to place the pen back into its slot in a specific way. The pen is wider than it is deep, so if you place the pen sideways, it won’t clip into place and will fall out.

Some people have said it easily twists and falls out, but I can’t see how that’s possible.

The only other issue I can think of is that the sliding mechanism that clips and secures it in place may get looser over time. I have had this case for a bit over a week, and I have not had any of these issues myself, but if I do experience any problems, I will update the review.

Using the Samsung S Pen

Using the S Pen on the Z Fold 5 is pretty much the same as using it on the Galaxy S23 Ultra. When you press the side button on the stylus, a menu pops up on the screen with various options. You can create a new note, write on the screen, highlight text for translation, and more.

One of the standout features of the S Pen is the Smart Select feature, which lets you select a portion of a video and turn it into an animated GIF.

I also personally quite like colouring in with the Penup app. It is quite calming and therapeutic when I am bored and need to kill some time.

Pros

1. Slim design that doesn’t add bulk to the phone.
2. Built-in S Pen slot for convenient storage.
3. Provides decent protection to the phone.
4. Available in a variety of vibrant colours.

Cons

1. No hinge protection.
2. The S Pen pops outward, which could cause it to hit the floor if not handled carefully.
3. Quite a lot of reports about the S Pen falling out by itself (but I haven’t experienced this).
4. The front piece of the case requires adhesive strips to stay affixed to the screen.

Price and Alternative Options

Preview	Product	Rating	Price
	Samsung Galaxy Official Slim S Pen Case for Z Fold5,...	No ratings yet	£50.93	Buy on Amazon
	Samsung Galaxy Official Starter Pack for Z Fold5	No ratings yet	£42.85	Buy on Amazon

The Samsung Slim S Pen Case for Galaxy Z Fold 5 has an RRP of £89 but is currently available from Samsung and Amazon for £62.50.  

Alternatively, it is part of the starter pack, which includes a 25W charger. This has an RRP of £99, but Amazon has it for £70, and you can get 50% off when buying it with the Galaxy Z Fold 5.

Spigen has the Thin Fit P Case, which is cheaper at £50 and doesn’t have the best reviews, nor does it come with an S Spen.

They also have the Spigen Slim Armor Pro Pen, which is similar to the Slim Armor Pro Case I previously reviewed but has a section on the side of the display that allows you to slot the pen in. This has a steep price of £94 and lacks the S Pen.

As for alternatives to the S-pen, if you’re looking for a pen for artistry, you might want to consider the Apple Pencil-esque S Pen Pro, which has Bluetooth for added functionality and a handy find my Pen function.

James Smythe( Editor-in-chief )

I am James, a UK-based tech enthusiast and the Editor and Owner of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Passionate about all things technology, my expertise spans from computers and networking to mobile, wearables, and smart home devices.

As a fitness fanatic who loves running and cycling, I also have a keen interest in fitness-related technology, and I take every opportunity to cover this niche on my blog. My diverse interests allow me to bring a unique perspective to tech blogging, merging lifestyle, fitness, and the latest tech trends.

In my academic pursuits, I earned a BSc in Information Systems Design from UCLAN, before advancing my learning with a Master’s Degree in Computing. This advanced study also included Cisco CCNA accreditation, further demonstrating my commitment to understanding and staying ahead of the technology curve.

I’m proud to share that Vuelio has consistently ranked Mighty Gadget as one of the top technology blogs in the UK. With my dedication to technology and drive to share my insights, I aim to continue providing my readers with engaging and informative content.

Last update on 2024-05-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API