Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 could solve the problem of creased foldable displays once and for all — here’s how

Samsung may make some of the best foldable phones already, but there's definitely room to improve upon the Galaxy Z Fold 7. A new report suggests how next year's model could address some of the nagging complaints about Samsung's book-style foldable.

Specifically, Korean publication DealSite reports that Samsung may have found a way to address the crease that appears in the main display of the phone where the device folds in half. While recent models have made that crease less visible, it's still noticeable under the right conditions.

In response, the report claims, Samsung could turn to a new kind of "laser drilling" technology, which is supposed to greatly decrease the fold crease in the display.

That's not the only display improvement planned for the Galaxy Z Fold 8. For this year's model, Samsung dropped support for the S Pen to make the Z Fold 7 thinner, but next year's follow-up is expected to bring that feature back.

Finally, battery capacity will reportedly increase to 5,000 mAh, a 600 mAh rise from the 4,400 mAh battery currently in the Z Fold 7. That's welcome news since the Galaxy Z Fold 7 struggled to keep pace with the average smartphone in our battery testing. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold beat out Samsung's phone by 1.5 hours on that test.

The iPhone Fold looms

All these improvements come as rumors point to a foldable device from Apple debuting in 2026. The iPhone Fold could appear as soon as Apple's fall launch event, which would be just after the Galaxy Z Fold 8 release if Samsung sticks to its normal schedule for rolling out phones. Sources told DealSite that some of these apparent Z Fold 8 upgrades are in response to the prospect of Apple's future foldable.

Rumors have suggested that the iPhone Fold could have a large battery ranging between 5,000 mAh and 5,500 mAh, larger than the iPhone 17 Pro Max, the longest-lasting iPhone we've tested.

One of the reasons we haven't seen a foldable iPhone up until now apparently stems from Apple's desire to offer a creaseless display. It's been rumored that the issue has been solved and the inside screen will be built by Samsung Display using the same laser drill technology that Z Fold 8 might turn to.

As for stylus support, Apple has long insisted that it's not necessary for phones. But that could change with the iPhone Fold's release.

Foldable phone outlook

While Samsung has faced increased competition from Google and OnePlus when it comes to book-style foldables, the arrival of Apple would likely shake up the foldable phone market. But Samsung clearly plans to put up a fight if the rumored improvements to the Galaxy Z Fold 8 come to pass.

Assuming Apple gets the design and build quality correct out of the gate, it'll be interesting to see if foldables will gain a bigger foothold. And that means Samsung has plenty of incentive to get its own device in order.

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