beneficial S Pen features that enhance the way you access or manage specific applications. However, have you ever detected an unusual odor emanating from your S Pen? Owners of the Galaxy Ultra have been experiencing a “burning smell” since the S Pen was introduced as a feature of the Galaxy S22 Ultra device. The problem is so widespread that nearly every individual who has possessed a Galaxy Ultra phone over the past few years has encountered it at some time.
A formal announcement from Samsung in 2024 clarified that “there might be an odor resembling burning originating from the S Pen as a result of the new product’s plastic or rubber elements.” A Samsung spokesperson further clarified (via Samsung Community) that the S Pen is positioned near the phone’s heat-producing internal parts while in its holster. This proximity causes the pen’s plastic and rubber casing to warm up, leading to the infamous scent.
The Samsung Galaxy S26 phone line was launched on March 11, 2026. In the months following the release of these latest devices, cautious users have closely monitored the S Pen to determine if that all-too-familiar smell persists. Fortunately, S26 users have reported that the concerning odor appears to have finally disappeared — and we didn’t observe it when we assessed the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra either.