C Pen Stylus for Samsung Galaxy S3 [Smartphone Accessory Review]

by Antonio Wells Aug 6, 2012 12:12 PM – 5 Comments

The C Pen is a stylus specifically for the Samsung Galaxy S3 smartphone. Providing more precision for drawing and handwriting notes on the device; is it worth the twenty pound price? Learn more in this smartphone accessory review!

Price: £19.99 (~$31.14)
Where to Buy: Mobilefun.co.uk

AndroidTapp.com Smartphone Accessories Review:

Pros & Cons:

Pros

Offers more precision in certain apps; best for drawing, handwriting recognition and notes based Android apps!

Cons

Only works well on the Galaxy S3.
Not as responsive as your finger in some cases.
Does not work for S3′s bottom “Menu” & “Back” buttons.

Video Review

Watch on Mobile | Watch in HD

The Samsung C Pen is a stylus that truly is meant for the Samsung Galaxy S3 Android smartphone… see it does not work well with other touchscreen phones or tablets, it is very unresponsive on other devices. This is slightly a shame in this world where virtually every smart device has a touchscreen. However, this accessory is advertised as being exclusively for the Galaxy S3, so we cannot claim we weren’t warned.

It looks like the quality pens marketing companies mail you to entice you with that has your own custom engraving. It is a solid build with confident weight to it. It looks just like an actual pen with the exception of a soft- yet firm 3.5mm pointed tip. Most other stylus have a fatter diameter tip and tend to be much softer to the point where they squish in considerably. It makes for far more accurate handwriting and drawing on your S3 than your finger (can make for some good times in games like Draw Something!)

However more accurate, I find that the C Pen is not as response in some usage, you have to press firmly on the screen (check the video above to see exactly). And if you are a person that draws like myself, then you’ll be annoyed by the fact that you cannot rest any fingers on the screen and draw as you’ll make dual marks. It unfortunately does not work on the lower menu buttons on the S3 as well, so you’ll have to use your finger, not that big of a deal just a poor oversight and requires a small adjustment while using.

Overall, I do not see this as a must have accessory, but a nice to have. The retail price also makes it difficult to justify seeing as you can only use it on one device. I feel Samsung should have thrown this inside with the phone purchase to gauge feedback to make the stylus better for future versions.

AndroidTapp.com Rating

AndroidTapp.com Rating! (2.7 out of 5)

Should you buy the C Pen? For those with a Galaxy S3 phone in seek of a stylus for note-taking, handwriting or drawing, the Samsung C Pen is a good option. However, I feel the retail price is a bit steep for a stylus that you can only use on exactly one phone. If you can find it cheaper online I would recommend it, yet it’s difficult to recommend at the current price point with limited usage.

Developer: Samsung

Tags: C Pen, Mobilefun.co.uk, Samsung, Samsung Galaxy S III, Samsung Galaxy S3, Smartphone Accessories, Stylus

Categorised in: Featured, News

5 Comments

By Robert DeNola on October 23, 2012 at 11:30 am:

it works on the back and menu buttons by gently tapping with the side of the chrome end that holds the tip. it will also work if you go up the shaft a bit, but the chrome tip area works fine. you still have to reorient the pen but at least you don’t have to change grip or stick your finger at the phone.

it’s a matter of proximity, so you don’t have to do any more than a very gentle tap or brush.

Reply
By Masamune on October 28, 2012 at 9:54 am:

I bought two online because I had been looking for a fine-tip stylus for a few drawing apps. I must say it’s a bit of a dissapointment at first, although the instrument itself was beautiful. I’d to press hard or tap hard on the screen to get a response to a point when I’d to switch back to my other fabric-mesh-tip stylus (which worked fantastic by the way). To give the C-pen another chance, I attempted to break-in the rubber tip by pressing it many times with my fingernail. The rubber tip was much softer and responded much better when I draw. I am sure breaking in the rubber tip will decrease the life span of the C-pen, but it’s much better than stashing them in a drawer and not used them at all. ^_^

Reply
By rwest on December 17, 2012 at 12:31 pm:

Can you buy replacement tips and where

Reply
By Cindy Loper on January 30, 2013 at 2:08 pm:

Is there an around the house item that an be used to draw other than the $30 c-pen?

Reply
- By Antonio Wells on January 30, 2013 at 2:13 pm:
  
  @Cindy Actually yes. There are plenty of tutorials online and on YouTube. However, I like how simple and cheap CNET showed how to make a stylus in 2 minutes http://cnettv.cnet.com/make-2-minute-stylus/9742-1_53-50121660.html
  
  Hope that helps!
  
  Reply