How essential is the S-Pen?

[CYKBC]

Hardly use it

 

[donec]

I am starting to have tremors also but so far I am able to work around it, mostly by taking a deep breath just before touching the scree with the s-pen. But I wish I could find a way to disable the button on the s-pen.

 

[Barats]

I think it's a nice accessory and option for us to have but I have maybe used it 2 or 3 times the whole time I have had the phone (since release day). I think the phone would be fine to me even if it did not have it.

 

[nlitenme]

I am starting to have tremors also but so far I am able to work around it, mostly by taking a deep breath just before touching the scree with the s-pen. But I wish I could find a way to disable the button on the s-pen.

I'd like to disable the button too, anyone know how to (without modifying the pen itself)?

 

[dylane]

I use it a fair amount, but not quite as much as I expected. Part of the reason for this is the case I got makes it a little difficult to grab the s-pen without hitting the back button, not impossible, just enough that it hasn't become habit to grab it every time I pick up my phone.

I also haven't really gotten the hang of S-Note, so I don't use it for note taking as much as I expected. Still, even with those caveats, I probably use the stylus 1/3 of the time I'm using the phone. Being able to hit small links without zooming is a killer feature all by itself.

 

[mg1951]

The nib on the pen is spring loaded and moves in and out very slightly as you increase or decrease pressure. The electronics in the phone and pen can detect how far the pen is from the screen and are sensitive enough to pick up the difference in distance when you press harder. You don't even notice the tiny movement yourself, which is why it feels so much like writing with a good pen.

Yet another reason to not call the S pen a stylus. It isn't.

Thanks. But what happens to the function of the pen if pressure is increased? Line thickness changes? Or something else?

 

[donec]

Thanks. But what happens to the function of the pen if pressure is increased? Line thickness changes? Or something else?

It depends on the app settings you have setup and the app you are using. Sometimes it changes the width, color and/or opacity.

 

[bls]

Thanks to everyone who added their perspective. To be honest this really makes me want a Note 2.

Dumb question: could an S-Pen be used with the new Samsung S4 and still retain all its cool features? Or is it expected that the S4 would have neither the proper screen hardware nor the right software to give you the full S-Pen experience?

Alternately, I suppose I could wait for the Note 3.
Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Predictions

 

[TheOtherBill]

Dumb question: could an S-Pen be used with the new Samsung S4 and still retain all its cool features? Or is it expected that the S4 would have neither the proper screen hardware nor the right software to give you the full S-Pen experience?

The S4 does not contain the digitizer to read the S pen.

 

[BremenCole]

For me it's just awkward to use. For 95% if what I do, it's just easier and better using a finger.

 

[cdf3]

It comes in handy for home improvement projects. I can quickly jot down and sketch out ideas.