Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 Slim S Pen Case review – Sleek case that improves on the essentials

As durable as the Galaxy Z Fold5 is, it remains a substantial investment and one that warrants protection, especially seeing Murphy’s Law which is where Samsung’s official Slim S Pen case which features a bundled S Pen stylus comes into the picture. 

We managed to get a retail sample for testing alongside our Galaxy Z Fold5 review sample and managed to put it and its bundled S Pen to the test. Here’s our Slim S Pen Case review where we see if it’s worth its substantial RM399 price tag.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 Slim S Pen Case review – Build and design

When the S Pen Case debuted last year for the Galaxy Z Fold4, it was a compromise that attempted to slap on a stylus well for a massive S Pen that was almost the size of an actual ball point pen. This resulted in a chunky, lopsided case for the phone that almost doubled its thickness and which also made it so that the phone could not lie flat when face up due to the pronounced bulge of the stylus well. 

The new Slim S Pen case for the Galaxy Z Fold5 resolves all these problems in a decisive fashion with a revamped, slimmer design as well as a flatter, more compact S Pen stylus that folds almost flush with the casing. According to their boffins, the new S Pen stylus is almost 40% slimmer.

Our Slim S Pen Case review sample comes in a shade of Icy Blue with a yellow coloured S Pen akin to the Galaxy Note9 colour scheme from several years ago which makes for a pleasant easter egg of sorts for veteran Samsung users. 

Alternatively, the case can also be acquired in a brownish white shade of Sand with a contrasting Peach coloured S Pen. Traditionalists can also opt for the plain all-black Graphite version with matching black S Pen.

Out of the box, our Slim S Pen Case review sample comes in two separate pieces made of a hard, matte polycarbonate form fitted to the exact dimensions of the Galaxy Z Fold5 that has cutouts for the power button, the volume rocker, the triple camera array and accompanying LED flash. 

Unfortunately, as with prior versions and even competing designs, there’s no cutout for the SIM card slot which means having to remove the front half of the casing which leads to its own set of challenges which we’ll get into later. Another quibble with the design is that it eschews hinge protection entirely in favour of pocketability so the hinge portion itself is left exposed.

The rear half of our Slim S Pen Case review snaps on neatly to the Galaxy Z Fold5 and holds a uniquely designed S Pen stylus well that requires a special way to open it. Rather than yanking it, you have to gently slide it up and out of its built-in recess to eject the S Pen.  Some practice is needed and in this particular case, reading the instructions is absolutely necessary to avoid breaking the S Pen in two.

Seeing the slim nature of the front half of the Galaxy Z Fold5, the matching front portion of the Slim S Pen Case doesn’t have much to latch on to. Rather than snapping on securely like the rear portion, the front portion requires the use of adhesive strips to ensure it stays on.

Unfortunately, the design omits a cutout for the SIM card tray so if you have to swap out your SIM card, say when you’re travelling overseas, you’ll have to forcefully remove the front half of the case which weakens the adhesive strip. Needless to say, repeatedly doing this will drastically reduce the stickiness of the strip and eventually cause it to slip out over time.

That quirk of design aside, our Slim S Pen Case review sample and its accompanying S Pen are sturdily constructed, feature a semi-matte finish that repel fingerprints nicely and fits the Galaxy Z Fold5 like a glove. 

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 Slim S Pen Case Review – Performance

Our Slim S Pen Case review sample was relatively easy to install onto a Galaxy Z Fold5 though some care needs to be taken to ensure that the front half of the Fold5, especially the sides are thoroughly wiped clean of dust and dirt to ensure that the adhesive strips are able to securely latch onto the phone lest it fall off halfway.

The cut-outs ensured easy access to the power button and volume rocker while the relatively slim case also ensured that the size and weight savings garnered from the Galaxy Z Fold5’s revamped design did not go to waste. 

The S Pen itself lacks Air Action gesture controls where you can wave it about like a wand to control selected apps such as that included in the Galaxy S23 Ultra but otherwise lets you draw, doodle and write text on the Galaxy Z Fold5’s expansive main display. It unfortunately doesn’t work on the cover display though that isn’t a deal breaker. Interestingly enough, the S Pen itself is compatible with the Galaxy Z Fold4’s main display as well.

Your mileage will vary on its utility but I found the S Pen useful to annotate documents, make it easier to scroll through lengthy websites and select images for cropping and inclusion into other documents.

Utility aside, the case didn’t get in the way of using the Galaxy Z Fold5 and was slim enough to remain pocketable without snagging on keys or whatnot in my pocket. The finish itself has also remained intact even after jingling with a bunch of keys as well as another review phone in the same pocket after the better part of a week plus of testing.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 Slim S Pen Case Review – Should you buy it?

The Slim S Pen case for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 is a slim and well built casing that allows for more efficient transport of an S Pen stylus while offering a modicum of protection for the phone.

Unfortunately, it does have a couple of trade-offs, namely the lack of hinge protection in the design and an inability to access the SIM card tray without taking the front case off. Even so, it does what it sets out to do in an efficient and effective manner and, short of getting the S Pen Pro, is one of the sole means of getting an S Pen for the Galaxy Z Fold5.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 Slim S Pen Case review sample courtesy of Samsung Malaysia. For more details, please visit Samsung’s official page at https://www.samsung.com/my/mobile-accessories/galaxy-z-fold5-slim-s-pen-case-graphite-ef-of94pcbegww/