Samsung, who was once regarded the pioneer of foldable smartphones, has now been receiving labels as a company that cuts corners with its premium devices, and with consumers getting tired of these trade-offs, Chinese competitors saw the opportunity to capitalize heavily, capturing a sizable gap left behind while bringing their own innovations.
With the iPhone Fold scheduled to launch later this year, Apple’s first foldable flagship will undoubtedly be compared to the Galaxy Z Fold 8, but looking at the compromises that Samsung is making, it’s best to assume that there isn’t going to be a competition this year. To hear this is disappointing, especially given that the Korean giant was the one who jumpstarted this category, however small it may be compared to ‘candy bar’ smartphones.
Apart from a chipset upgrade, there’s nothing else going for the Galaxy Z Fold 8, but it’s not entirely Samsung’s fault
The memory shortage has forced Samsung to make all sorts of compromises, starting with switching to BOE’s OLEDs for the base Galaxy S27. However, since the Galaxy Z Fold 8 uses more materials and parts, it costs more to make and therefore, will receive the brunt of the trade-offs. Apart from featuring the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, there’s nothing else noteworthy to discuss about the device.
We’ve reported previously that the Galaxy Z Fold 8 won’t be treated to the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s Privacy Display, nor will it provide S Pen support. Worst of all, Samsung will make customers believe that its next foldable flagship is just another Galaxy Z Fold 7 slapped with a different name because there isn’t going to be a major reduction in the crease’s visibility. Apple, on the other hand, is pulling out all the stops to ensure that its foldable smartphone has no equal.
The iPhone Fold can beat Samsung at its own game
From addressing the crease with the liquid metal hinge, not to mention testing Ultra-Thin Glass technology of varying thicknesses and applying an additional layer for scratch-resistance, the iPhone Fold could represent the new benchmark for premium foldable smartphones. Weibo’s Digital Chat Station has also claimed that rivals will eventually adopt Apple’s liquid metal hinge because of its benefits.
Also, to set itself apart, the iPhone Fold is said to adopt a wide-folding form factor that resembles a book, and despite featuring no Face ID due to technical challenges of having a slim chassis, Apple is rumored to have found a way to add a massive 5,800mAh cell inside, making it the biggest battery capacity of any iPhone. If this isn’t aren’t the recipe for a fantastic foldable flagship that will outcompete the Galaxy Z Fold 8, we don’t know what will.
Samsung still has a chance, but that entirely depends on the company
Assuming the Galaxy Z Fold 8 isn’t the “flagship” offering that Samsung intends to be, its passport-style ‘Wide Fold’ could be the true competitor to the iPhone Fold. However, that all depends on the level of compromises the company will make. DRAM shortage or not, if Samsung continues to make these mistakes, then it’s no wonder that Apple’s first foldable smartphone is estimated to command nearly half of the U.S. market when it launches.
About the author: Omar Sohail is a reporter and analyst for Wccftech's mobile section, specializing in the technology and business of the mobile industry. His expertise lies in the intricate hardware supply chain, covering developments in semiconductor manufacturing, chip lithography, and camera sensor technology.
Follow Wccftech on Google to get more of our news coverage in your feeds.
