Samsung’s New S Pen Looks Like Apple Pencil — But It’s Better for Work

Samsung has unveiled a redesigned S Pen for the Galaxy Tab S11, and the first reaction from many observers (including us) is simple: it looks like an Apple Pencil. With its hexagonal grip and cone-shaped tip, the new stylus bears a striking resemblance to Apple’s long-established design. For a company that has often criticized Apple for playing it safe, this feels uncomfortably close to imitation. But Samsung claims otherwise.

The new S Pen is inspired by the classic wooden pencil

Samsung insists the hexagonal design of its new S Pen is inspired not by Apple, but by the classic wooden pencil. And to be fair, the hexagon shape does echo that timeless form. The company even worked the hexagon motif into its Unpacked promos, framing the redesign as a natural fit for tablet use. But let’s not ignore the obvious: Apple pioneered this clean, minimalist pencil aesthetic years ago, and Samsung’s sudden shift in the same direction raises eyebrows.

What’s frustrating is that Samsung used to lead with bold S Pen innovations: air gestures, Bluetooth controls, and tighter integration with Galaxy Note and Tab devices. All of those are fading away. The Tab S11’s S Pen, while more ergonomic, feels like Samsung chasing Apple’s design language rather than setting its own.

That said, this redesign brings some practical benefits to consumers. The cone-shaped tip now supports wider tilt angles for better shading and sketching, and improves overall accuracy. The hexagonal grip also improves stability and comfort, especially during long writing sessions. The new S Pen is cross-compatible with previous Samsung tablets and does not require separate charging. It attaches magnetically to the back of the tablet.

Simply put, this is a genuine upgrade for productivity and creativity. The best part is that the stylus comes bundled with both the Galaxy Tab S11 and Tab S11 Ultra. The new tablets are now available to buy from Samsung’s website.