No, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra S Pen does not include Bluetooth functionality. Samsung removed Bluetooth Low Energy from the S Pen beginning with the Galaxy S25 Ultra, and this continues with the current generation.
Features No Longer Available
Without Bluetooth, these S Pen capabilities are gone:
- Air Actions for gesture-based phone controls
- Remote camera shutter for hands-free photography
- Media playback controls from across the room
- Presentation navigation without touching your phone
- App launching via stylus gestures
Samsung justified this decision by stating that few users actually utilized these BLE-enabled features.
Benefits of the Passive Design
The S26 Ultra's S Pen is now a passive EMR (Electromagnetic Resonance) stylus, which offers advantages:
- No charging required — Simply store and use
- No pairing needed — Works immediately when removed
- Lighter design — Measures just 5.0 x 4.15mm
- Reliable operation — No battery to die mid-task
Core Functionality Retained
The S Pen maintains robust productivity features:
- Precise writing and drawing
- Handwriting-to-text conversion
- AI Select for image and text extraction
- Screen translation
- Screen-off memos
- Samsung Notes integration
- PDF annotation and photo editing precision
Important Design Change
The S26 Ultra's S Pen has a tapered clicker button matching the phone's curved corners. You can now only insert the stylus one way (button facing upward), or it will protrude from the slot.
Who Will Miss Bluetooth Features
If remote camera shutter, Air Actions, or presentation controls are essential to your workflow, the Galaxy S24 Ultra and earlier models retain Bluetooth S Pen functionality.
For most users who primarily use the S Pen for note-taking and annotation, the current implementation works excellently.
We may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. How ShopSavvy makes money
How we researched this
Where this comes from: this answer draws on the product's published specifications and the reviews ShopSavvy collected for it, alongside prices from ShopSavvy's price data.
📚More About Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
⚖️Compare Similar Products
Considering the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
Here's our "TLDR" Review
Download ShopSavvy App
Compare prices across tens of thousands of stores, set price alerts, watch for deals by keyword, and much more.
Install ShopSavvy Browser Extension
Compare and track prices automatically while you shop online at thousands of websites.
More Answers
If you're still curious about the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, here are some other answers you might find interesting:
- Is the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra worth $1,299?
Whether the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra justifies its $1,299 price depends on your specific needs, current phone, and intended usage over the device's lifespan....
- How long does it take to fully charge the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra supports 60W wired charging—the fastest ever on a Galaxy smartphone—achieving a complete charge in approximately 49 minutes. |...
- What video recording features does the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra have?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra offers professional-grade video capabilities that rival dedicated cameras, headlined by the new APV codec and comprehensive manual...
- How do I turn off the Privacy Display feature on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
Disabling Privacy Display on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is straightforward. Here's how to turn it off and what to expect. Swipe down from the top of your...
- What colors is the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra available in?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is available in four standard colors: Titanium Black, Cobalt Violet, Sky Blue, and Titanium White. All feature unified design...
- How easy is the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra to repair?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra received a repairability score of 5 out of 10 from iFixit, indicating moderate repair difficulty—neither exceptionally easy nor...
- How does the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra compare to the iPhone 17 Pro Max?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and iPhone 17 Pro Max both command $1,299 starting prices and represent the pinnacle of their platforms. Your ideal choice depends...
- What storage options are available for the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is available in three storage configurations: 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB. All models include 16GB RAM—an increase from previous base...
- Why is my Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra having Wi-Fi connection problems?
Some Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra users have experienced Wi-Fi connectivity issues, particularly slower speeds compared to previous Galaxy phones. Samsung has...
- Why does text look fuzzy on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra display?
Some Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra users report text appearing fuzzy, over-sharpened, or showing visible aliasing. This issue is connected to Samsung's sub-pixel...
