The Galaxy Z Fold 8 has been in style sufficient for the corporate to rush out more units to meet demand forward of the concerningly expensive iPhone Fold. Now, Samsung is contemplating making a second large foldable variant of the Galaxy Z Fold 9.
Having used the Galaxy Z Fold 8 for a few weeks, I can see precisely why Samsung would double down on this way issue.
There’s A Market For The Galaxy Z Fold 9 Thanks To The Fold 8
Korean publication ET News studies that Samsung will develop 5 foldable telephones subsequent 12 months, together with the TriFold 2 and a brand new Large Fold variant alongside the present Flip, Fold and Fold Extremely.
A Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Extremely smartphone at a preview occasion in London, UK, on Tuesday, July 21, 2026. Samsung Electronics Co. revamped its foldable cellphone lineup, introducing a brand new entertainment-focused mannequin that can compete with Apple Inc.’s imminent entry into the market. Photographer: Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg
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It’s no shock the corporate is doubling down on this large form. The large Galaxy Z Fold 8 sequence (together with the Fold 8 Extremely) broke Samsung’s all-time pre-order record, recording 1.44 million pre-orders in South Korea alone in simply seven days.
Extra telling than the full quantity is the break up: 70% of these pre-orders went to the Z Fold 8 particularly, not the Extremely or the Flip. Consumers selected the large format over Samsung’s conventional tall foldable by a ratio of roughly two to 1.
Samsung then elevated Z Fold 8 manufacturing by 1 million extra models to fulfill demand, which might make it Samsung’s hottest foldable ever, in its first 12 months.
What A Second Large Galaxy Z Fold 9 May Repair
I have been utilizing the Galaxy Z Fold 8 for a few weeks and whereas I love its Nexus 7 nostalgia vibes, there’s clearly room for enchancment.
There’s no telephoto lens, which is sort of felony at $1,900. The 2 50MP sensors (large and ultrawide) are greater than succesful, however I’m lacking that optical zoom.
The improved silicon-carbon battery is an efficient technological leap for Samsung, however I wish to see the corporate actually push battery sizes within the subsequent mannequin near the 7,000mAh numbers we’re seeing on Chinese language smartphones. Pairing a comically massive battery with Samsung’s energy administration and software program effectivity is tantalising.
Clients check out newly-released Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 smartphones at a Samsung retailer in Seoul on July 23, 2026. South Korean know-how large Samsung unveiled new, sleeker smartphone fashions on July 22, priced greater than earlier fashions as synthetic intelligence raises part prices. (Photograph by GREG BAKER / AFP through Getty Pictures)
AFP through Getty Pictures
Flex Mode, too, ought to make a comeback. Not only for watching movies with out a stand, but additionally for hands-free digicam options. Samsung could even wish to discover a bigger Large Fold for individuals who desire a correct pill expertise.
Primarily, the Fold 8 Extremely’s specs within the Fold 8 might properly discover a keen viewers. Sure it’ll be costlier, however I’m undecided persons are quibbling over an additional $200 at this smartphone value vary.
It additionally seems like Samsung is contemplating making a good wider machine primarily based on the wording within the ET Information story. “The plan is more likely to be to create a tool with a facet ratio optimized for video viewing, relatively than the 4:3 facet ratio launched this 12 months,” a supply talking to the publication defined. That possible means even much less letterboxing on widescreen movies when watching on the unfolded show, which might make the brand new Fold extra like a real pill expertise.
Apple Will Make The Galaxy Z Fold 9 Common
Samsung may also massively profit from the approaching sudden curiosity in large foldable telephones, which can include Apple entering the market via its iPhone Fold/Ultra.
Apple is launching the iPhone Extremely in September, in the identical 4:3 large format because the Z Fold 8. When Apple enters a market, it doesn’t simply take a share. It expands the class. Each individual Apple convinces to contemplate a large foldable is an individual who may also take a look at Samsung’s choices.
A broader large foldable lineup means Samsung has extra value factors, extra configurations and extra causes for these consumers to decide on Galaxy over iPhone. And there will probably be good cause to decide on a Galaxy as an alternative: Samsung’s seven years of foldable UI refinement. The iPhone Fold is a first-generation product from Apple with a brand new approach to make use of iOS. There’ll virtually actually be teething pains that Samsung ironed out years in the past.
If we do see a brand new large foldable from Samsung subsequent 12 months, it is going to be as a result of the corporate is doubling down on its clear success to this point, whereas cornering as a lot of the market as attainable earlier than Apple can.
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