Big changes could be coming to the Galaxy S26 Ultra. According to fresh leaks from tipster PandaFlash, Samsung is reportedly planning to ditch its built-in S Pen digitizer and silo in the next Ultra flagship, marking the most dramatic S Pen rethink since the Note line’s retirement.
The rumored move would mirror what Samsung’s planning for the Galaxy Z Fold 7, shifting to a powered, active S Pen design rather than the traditional passive one. The downside? The new S Pen may no longer be stored inside the phone itself, instead needing to be carried separately like it is for Samsung’s foldables.
But there’s a solid reason behind this redesign: Qi2 wireless charging. Removing the digitizer and stylus slot could free up internal space and allow Samsung to embed Qi2-compatible magnetic rings directly into the S26 Ultra’s body no more needing third-party cases for magnetic charging accessories. This would also bring Samsung in line with upcoming devices like Google’s Pixel 10 series, which face similar Qi2 support limitations without built-in magnets.
The decision isn’t without trade-offs. Samsung has long warned that magnets could interfere with the S Pen’s traditional tech, but if the stylus goes fully active and is external, that conflict disappears. It’s also expected to help Samsung slim down the S26 Ultra, which would be a welcome refinement.
For now, this remains an unconfirmed leak, and we’re still several months away from concrete S26 Ultra details. But if true, it would mark a pivotal shift in Samsung’s flagship strategy possibly even signaling the beginning of the end for stowable S Pens entirely, with future models like the Galaxy S27 Ultra rumored to follow suit.
