Motorola Moto Z4 smartphone supports stylus via Microsoft Active Pen protocol

The Motorola Moto Z4 smartphone has support for styluses via the Microsoft Active Pen protocol. That is stated on the specs page of the phone and users have tested the phone with, among other things, a Surface Pen from Microsoft.

Lenovo mentions support for styluses on the Moto Z4’s specs page, and users on Reddit have tested the phone with a variety of pens, including different versions of Microsoft’s Surface Pen. Active pens require a screen layer, which allows the software to recognize under more pressure.

There are few smartphones with support for active styluses. Samsung’s Galaxy Note series is the best known. All smartphones with touchscreen support passive styluses, but the software cannot see any difference between input from pen and finger.

It is unknown why Lenovo has included support for Microsoft’s Active Pen protocol in the phone. It is also unclear why the manufacturer has not publicized it further. It is possible that the manufacturer is working on a Moto Mod with a built-in stylus. Moto Mods are accessories that fit the phone and use the connector on the back of the phone to transfer power and data.

Lenovo recently announced the Moto Z4. It will not be released in the Benelux for the time being. Predecessors Moto Z3 Play and other Moto Z phones have been released in the Benelux.