Prakhar Khanna / Android Authority
TL;DR
- Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 leak factors to a stunning downgrade technique centered round making the foldable thinner.
- The Fold 8 sequence might reportedly lose S Pen assist and Samsung’s new Galaxy S26 Extremely privateness display know-how.
Samsung’s 2026 foldable technique is beginning to look much more sophisticated and probably divisive. The most recent Galaxy Z Fold 8 leak suggests Samsung is ditching a few of the premium options consumers count on from a tool that prices almost $2,000.
The S Pen has lengthy been one of many Fold lineup’s standout benefits over rival foldables for multitasking, note-taking, and inventive work. However Samsung appears to be doubling down on thinness as an alternative. The corporate already eliminated the digitizer layer from the Galaxy Z Fold 7 to shave down the chassis, and this new leak suggests the Fold 8 will proceed in the identical path.
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And it might not finish there. Different reviews from this cycle of leaks point out that Samsung may also downgrade digicam {hardware} on the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Huge. The broader mannequin may not have a telephoto lens in any respect and as an alternative would possibly go for two 50MP rear cameras as an alternative of the triple digicam setup rumored for the common Fold 8.
If this pans out, it means consumers might be shelling out flagship costs for a tool that doesn’t have stylus assist, superior privateness options, or devoted zoom {hardware}.
It’s solely honest to say that Samsung appears to be addressing one of many largest gripes with the Fold sequence. Earlier One UI 9 animation leaks recommend that the Fold 8 Huge can have a wider facet ratio, making it look a lot nearer to an everyday smartphone when folded. Which may make the quilt lots simpler to make use of daily.
On the identical time, hypothesis about Apple’s first foldable iPhone is including strain on Samsung to alter the design of the Fold earlier than one among its rivals will get there first. In the intervening time, Samsung appears to consider that thinner {hardware} is extra vital than power-user options. With the Galaxy Z Fold 8 probably missing a number of premium Galaxy S26 Extremely options, the latter turns into a far superior and cheaper alternative.
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