Samsung officially unveiled the Galaxy S21 and announced that the Galaxy S21 Ultra will support the S Pen for the first time. Interestingly, the S Pen will be available in two models, with the pro model coming later this year.

Previously, only the Galaxy Note line included S Pen functionality. However, following rumors that 2021 may be the last Galaxy Note product, Samsung is now moving S Pen functionality to its Ultra line devices.

The S Pen Pro is a powered-up version of the standard S Pen. It is larger overall and has an improved grip and tactile feel; it has Bluetooth capability, and users can tap Air Actions to remotely swipe and snap photos, control music, click through PowerPoint presentations, and more.

S Pen Pen

S Pen Pro will work with Samsung's "latest S Pen-enabled Galaxy devices," Samsung said during the Galaxy Unpacked event. This presumably means that it will work on newer Note models, but not earlier models.

The standard S Pen has also received minor improvements over last year's model. It is slightly larger and has a better grip.

Unlike the Note line, the S Pen is sold separately from the S21 Ultra; there is no way to holster the S Pen on the Galaxy S21 Ultra like there is on the Note lineup, so users who need a place to store the S Pen will need to purchase the included case.

The case comes in two models, both of which include the standard S Pen and retail for $69.99 each; the S Pen itself is $40; and the S Pen is $40.

Pricing for the S Pen pro has not been announced; existing S Pens from the Galaxy Note and Galaxy Tab can be used with the S21 Ultra.

But Samsung doesn't just make pens for devices. The company announced that uni, Staedtler, Wacom, and LAMY are producing Galaxy-compatible pens.

Fans of the Galaxy Note series love the S Pen. Not only can they write and take notes, but they offer mouse-like precision on touch-screen devices. Imagine editing photos and videos on your cell phone. The ability to edit with pinpoint precision makes it much easier to edit the smallest details.

However, this is definitely a special use case and not necessary for all users. For those for whom writing and drawing on a cell phone is absolutely essential, the S Pen would be an important purchase. But for those who want to use their phones for more standard functions, such as web browsing, music, video, and gaming, it is not as necessary.

Considering that the S21 Ultra starts at $1,199 for the 128GB model with 12GB of RAM, the additional cost of a $70 case/S Pen is not that unusual; whether the S Pen Pro will be worth the price when it becomes available later this year remains to be seen.