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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 Tip: How to use S Pen and Air Command (One UI 3.1.1)
With the launch of the Galaxy Z Fold 3, Samsung re-proved that it’s a champion when it comes to smartphone innovations as it’s the first time when a foldable-screen phone came with dust and water resistance and S Pen input support event without any type of screen damage.
However, the Galaxy S21 Ultra was the first non-Note phone that features S Pen support, while the Galaxy Z Fold 3 is the first foldable in the world. In order to prevent the Galaxy Z Fold 3’s flexible screen, Samsung specially designed an S Pen with a rubber tip which reduces friction.
Apart from this, the all-new S Pen Pro comes with Bluetooth LE support that lets users enjoy the Air Command feature on the Galaxy Z Fold 3. However, the improved version of Galaxy S21 Ultra’s basic S Pen also supports select old Galaxies such as S21 Ultra, Note 10, and Note 20 series.
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Not that all, aside from expectations, Samsung launched its new flagship smartphone lineup along with the new One UI version i.e. the One UI 3.1.1, replaced with One UI 3.5. It’s just a minor upgraded version and specially made for foldables for increased productivity.
Below, you can check how to use the S Pen on your Galaxy Z Fold 3 and use futuristic features such as the Air Command.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 S Pen Tip
Introduction
Use the various S Pen features with an S Pen (sold separately).
- Only use the S Pen Pro or the S Pen Fold Edition that is designed exclusively for Galaxy Z Fold3 5G. Refer to the S Pen’s user manual for more information about how to use the S Pen.
- S Pen features are only supported on the Main screen.
Air command
Air command is a menu that provides S Pen features and quick access to frequently used apps.
To open the Air command panel, hover the S Pen over the screen and press the S Pen button. Alternatively, hover the S Pen over the screen and tap the Air command icon ( ) with the S Pen.
Select a function or app on the Air command panel.
- Create note: Create notes easily in a pop-up window. You can also launch this feature by double-tapping the screen while pressing and holding the S Pen button. Refer to Samsung Notes for more information.
- View all notes: View all notes in the Samsung Notes app.
- Smart select: Use the S Pen to select an area and perform actions, such as sharing or saving
- Screen write: Capture screenshots to write or draw on them or crop an area from the captured image. You can also capture the current content and the hidden content on an elongated page, such as a webpage.
- Live messages: Instead of text message, create and send a unique message by recording your actions while handwriting or drawing a live message and saving it as an animated file.
- AR Doodle: Record fun videos with virtual handwriting or drawings on faces or anywhere else. Refer to AR Doodle for more information.
- Translate: Hover the S Pen over a word to translate it.
- PENUP: Post your artwork, view others’ artwork, and get useful drawing tips.
- Bixby Vision: Use the Bixby Vision features to search for similar images, detect and translate text, and more.
- Magnify: Hover the S Pen over an area of the screen to enlarge it.
- Glance: Reduce an app to a thumbnail and hover the S Pen over the thumbnail to open the app in full screen view.
- Colouring: Add colours to images provided by PENUP using the S Pen.
- Write on calendar: Launch the Calendar app and write or draw on the screen.
- Add shortcuts: Add shortcuts to frequently used apps to the Air command panel.
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Air command icon
When the Air command panel is closed, the Air command icon will remain on the screen for a short time. You can open the Air command panel by tapping the icon with the S Pen.
To move the icon, drag to a new location.
If the Air command icon does not appear after you hover the S Pen over the screen, launch the Settings app, tap Advanced features → S Pen, and then tap the Show air command icon switch to activate it.
Pen Select
While pressing and holding the S Pen button, drag the S Pen over text or item lists to select multiple items or text. You can also copy and paste the selected items or text into another app or share them with others.
Screen off memo
You can quickly create memos by writing on the screen without turning on it. When the screen is off, hover the S Pen over the screen and press the S Pen button. When you tap Save after writing a memo, the memo will be saved to Samsung Notes.
If this feature is not activated, launch the Settings app, tap Advanced features → S Pen, and then tap the Screen off memo switch to activate it.
Samsung has finally launched the Android 15-based One UI 7 Beta Program. The official announcement was made on December 5. The activity is initially available for the Galaxy S24, S24 Plus, and S24 Ultra in seven.
One UI 7 introduces radical interface tweaks, fresh new UI components, rich graphics, plenty of new features, and a lot more. The new software also uplevels the security system of your Galaxy smartphone to keep data safe.
What’s New in One UI 7?
Samsung’s Android 15-based One UI 7 Beta Program delivers a glimpse into a revolutionary smartphone experience powered by cutting-edge Galaxy AI features, enhanced personalization, and an overhauled interface.
One UI 7 integrates advanced AI agents and multimodal capabilities across the interface, enabling seamless and natural interactions.
Key AI enhancements include:
Writing Assist Tools: Users can now boost productivity with integrated AI-powered tools that summarize content, check grammar and spelling, and format notes into bullet points—all without switching between applications.
Samsung One UI 7 AI Writing Assist Tools (Source – Samsung)
Call Transcriptions: Calls recorded on Samsung Galaxy devices running the latest One UI 7 can now be transcribed automatically, supporting 20 languages, offering a convenient solution for multitasking professionals.
Samsung One UI 7 Call Transcript (Credit – Samsung)
One UI 7 introduces a streamlined design language centered around simplicity and user engagement.
Now Bar:
- Accessible directly from the lock screen, this feature offers instant access to activities like Interpreter, Music, Recording, and Stopwatch.
- Reduces the need to unlock the device frequently, transforming the lock screen experience.
Samsung One UI 7 Now Bar (Source – Samsung)
Simplified Customization:
- Redesigned widgets and lock screens allow users to personalize their devices effortlessly.
- Enhanced control over every detail ensures a more intuitive and cohesive experience.
Refreshed Camera UX:
- Reorganized controls make advanced settings easier to access.
- Pro and Pro Video modes now feature a simplified manual settings layout and a new zoom control for smoother transitions during video recording.
Availability and Rollout
The One UI 7 beta program is now available for Galaxy S24 series users in Germany, India, Korea, Poland, the UK, and the US, starting December 5.
The official release of One UI 7 will begin in Q1 2025 with the next-generation Galaxy S series devices. Over time, it will expand to other Galaxy devices, reflecting Samsung’s commitment to extended OS upgrades.
Samsung seems to have revised its smartphone production target for 2025. Meanwhile, Samsung is aiming to foster Galaxy S25 series production than the S24 series. New input suggests that the production target is reduced by 7 to 8 million.
According to TheElec, Samsung is cutting smartphone production estimates for 2025, but the flagship Galaxy S25 series could be produced higher than the Galaxy S24 series.
Back in October, it was reported that Samsung is aiming to produce 237 million phones in 2025. As per the revised plan, the company has set a production target of 229.4 million.
In particular, the Galaxy S25 series is expected to be produced at 37 million units. Meanwhile, the Galaxy S24 series is estimated to be shipped 35 million units this year.
It seems the budget and entry-level phones would be produced in slightly lesser quantities. The aim is to maintain a conservative outlook without impacting premium sales.
On the flip side, the report also revealed production estimation of foldable smartphones, as follows:
- Galaxy Z Flip 7 – 3 million
- Galaxy Z Flip FE – 900,000
- Galaxy Z Fold 7 – 2 million
These figures sum up to a production target of around 6 million units. Combining a Fan Edition model, the sale is still estimated at 6 million – suggesting a slow pace of adoption.
The Galaxy S25 series will launch in late January next year, while the foldable devices may debut in July. Samsung is also preparing to introduce a Slim variant of the S25 series, while the launch timeline is uncertain.
Samsung Calendar app got a new icon with One UI 7, including new icons and enhanced features. The One UI 7 Beta update has been released, and a new report suggests that beta users just received the first app update, which is for the Samsung Calendar app.
The latest update of the Samsung Calendar app arrives with version 12.6.00.35. It brings a new tweak to the app icon, you can now see the name of the day along with the date. This update is truly useful as users no longer need to open the calendar to check the day, they can see its glance on the icon.
The new revamped icon of the Samsung Messages app is available for devices running Android 15-based One UI 7 beta, which means it’s currently only for the Galaxy S24 series. More devices will get this revamped icon with One UI 7.
Aside from this, the One UI 7 update makes handling your calendar easier. You can now reschedule events by simply dragging and dropping them in the Month view.
You can now choose which calendars to show on your widgets which lets you display different calendars on your home screen. With the “Add countdown widget”, you can add countdowns for events like birthdays to see the days left and right on your home screen.
Moreover, you can also move all events from one calendar to another without hassle, perfect for switching from a phone-based calendar to a cloud-based one. If you are a Galaxy S24 user, register and install the One UI 7 Beta to enjoy new Samsung Calendar features.