Best Phone With a Stylus 2026: S Pen and Stylus-Compatible Picks
Phones with built-in stylus support are rare in 2026 — Samsung's S Pen line is essentially the only credible option for note-takers, designers, and document signers. Here are the picks anchored to MKBHD's awards.
Updated · 3 picks · Rankings reflect MKBHD Smartphone Awards outcomes.
How we picked
Phones with first-party stylus support — primarily Samsung's S Pen-equipped models. Award context from MKBHD's recent awards.
- #1
Best stylus phone — runner-up Phone of the Year 2025
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Samsung · 2025 · From $1299
Runner-up Phone of the Year at MKBHD's 2025 Smartphone Awards. The S Pen housing is integrated into the body — no separate carry. Note-taking, signing PDFs, and stylus-driven photo editing have no equivalent on iPhone or Pixel.
Pros
- Runner-up Phone of the Year 2025
- Integrated S Pen housing
- Most mature stylus software ecosystem
Cons
- 232g — heavy
- $1,299 starting
- #2
Won Best Foldable at MKBHD's 2025 Smartphone Awards. Supports S Pen Pro (sold separately) on the inner display — turns the Z Fold 7 into a digital sketchpad with the largest stylus canvas on any phone.
Pros
- MKBHD's 2025 Best Foldable
- Largest stylus canvas (8-inch inner display)
- Three-app multitasking
Cons
- S Pen Pro sold separately (no integrated housing)
- $1,899 starting
- #3
Best discounted stylus phone — 2024 Phone of the Year
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Samsung · 2024 · From $1299
Won Phone of the Year at MKBHD's 2024 Smartphone Awards. Now $899–$999 — same integrated S Pen as the S25 Ultra and same 7-year update commitment.
Pros
- MKBHD's 2024 Phone of the Year
- Same S Pen as S25 Ultra
- Now $899–$999 discounted
Cons
- One generation behind chipset
- Heavy at 232g
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best phone with a stylus in 2026?
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra — runner-up Phone of the Year at MKBHD's 2025 awards. Integrated S Pen, mature stylus software, and 7-year update commitment.
Does the iPhone support a stylus?
No iPhone supports a stylus natively — Apple Pencil only works with iPads. If you want stylus support on a phone, get a Galaxy Ultra or Z Fold.
Is the S Pen actually useful?
Yes for note-takers, signature capture, and stylus-driven photo editing. If you don't already use a stylus on your iPad or laptop, you probably won't on the phone either.
About this list
We index every phone that won or placed in MKBHD's annual Smartphone Awards (2014–2025) and surface the strongest matches for this category. Award badges link to the full award history. We earn a commission on purchases via our retailer links — at no extra cost to you.