It’s no secret that Apple tends to experiment with prototypes privately, whereas lots of their rivals use their prospects as guinea pigs. The iPhone maker, for essentially the most half, has traditionally avoided placing out “unfinished” merchandise, whereas Samsung, Google, and others favor to iterate in public with merchandise that might use some extra time within the lab. Nowhere is that clearer than with folding telephones. Samsung has been launching new foldable telephones for half a decade with various success, whereas Apple has but to announce its first folding iPhone.
Samsung’s Unpacked occasion earlier this week was in contrast to any earlier one, nevertheless. For the primary time, it looks like the newest Galaxy Z Fold 7 isn’t an overpriced beta product riddled with design imperfections and different compromises. It has seemingly matured right into a sensible, multifunctional telephone that caters to a wider vary of customers far past rabid early adopters. That is nice information for Samsung followers—however probably even higher information for these anticipating the iPhone Fold, rumored to launch subsequent 12 months.
Crease lower
Maybe essentially the most obtrusive difficulty with early Galaxy Z Fold fashions was the show crease. Samsung’s early foldable screens would develop a visual line within the middle after repeated folding. Not solely wouldn’t it strip the units of their flagship really feel, however in some circumstances, it will have an effect on usability and result in premature repairs.
Keep in mind the early Galaxy Z telephones with an unpleasant crease down the center? These days are lengthy gone.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Samsung managed to attenuate the issue through the years by design tweaks, and the newest Galaxy Z Fold 7 incorporates an much more sturdy hinge. Taking this into consideration, it’s practical to imagine that the iPhone Fold received’t endure from any main crease problems when it launches in September 2026. Apple has had ample time to develop a long-lasting resolution, because the display crease has been rumored to be its greatest precedence. When the iPhone Fold launches subsequent 12 months, it’ll have to be totally flawless simply to match the Z Fold 7.
Thinpossible
One other widespread foldable telephone downside is the design, specifically, thickness and weight. Producers are primarily stitching two smartphones collectively—all whereas sustaining their sturdiness, high-end specs, and so forth. Slimming them down is not any simple feat. However, Samsung has lastly polished the design with its Galaxy Z Fold 7, suggesting Apple goes down an identical path.
The most recent Samsung foldable weighs solely 215g and has a thickness of 8.9mm and 4.2mm when folded and unfolded, respectively. For comparability, the iPhone 16 Professional Max weighs 227g and is 8.25mm thick. So, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 has primarily turn into a normal-sized smartphone when folded and an ultra-slim pill in its unfolded type. It’s now not an awesome, chunky brick. It’s so skinny, actually, Samsung needed to drop S-Pen assist.
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is tremendous skinny when open and closed.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
On condition that this 12 months’s iPhone 17 Air is rumored to be 5.5mm skinny (and the extremely highly effective iPad Professional M4 is simply 5.1mm skinny), it’s possible Apple has discovered a method to make the iPhone Fold equally skinny. However how skinny is the query—and what Apple might want to sacrifice to get there.
Professional-formance
One other technological milestone is powering the Galaxy Z Fold 7 with a flagship processor—the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy. With such a skinny physique, overheating is clearly a priority, which is one thing Apple has already discovered with its personal silicon. As I discussed above, look no additional than the iPad Professional and upcoming iPhone 17 Air to see how extremely environment friendly Apple’s chips are.
If it launches subsequent 12 months as rumored, we assume the iPhone Fold will supply the yet-to-be-announced A20 Professional to ship superior iPadOS 26-like options, corresponding to app windowing, when unfolded. Folding telephones have been established as premium units, and Apple will possible observe swimsuit by placing its strongest cell chip into its highest-end machine.
Sharp capturing
Incorporating a Professional digital camera system right into a slim foldable is yet one more impediment that Samsung has overcome. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 gives a formidable triple rear lens setup, that includes a 200MP major sensor. The entrance digital camera now additionally boasts a large 100-degree discipline of view, letting customers develop the body when taking group selfies.
On the ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air, Apple is predicted to make use of a single digital camera, and most rumors counsel the iPhone Fold may have a pair of extensive and ultra-wide lenses to permit for superior portraits and macro mode with restricted zoom capabilities. So, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 will possible beat the iPhone right here, however Apple is certain to place main emphasis on the iPhone Fold’s photographic capabilities.
The Galaxy Z Fold7 has a formidable triple-camera system.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
In relation to the entrance digital camera, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 has two, one on the surface show and one other on the within to be used when opened, with two single-hole cutouts for the cameras. Apple is rumored to be taking an identical path because it shifts away from the Dynamic Island and strikes Face ID parts beneath the show.
It’s not clear what which means for Face ID, which might give Apple an edge right here. However with two screens, Apple is more likely to ditch Face ID on the iPhone Fold for Contact ID inside the facility button just like the iPad mini and Air.
The stakes are excessive
Apple fans have typically grown accustomed to receiving revolutionary {hardware} later than everybody else. When mentioned upgrades ultimately arrive, nevertheless, they count on them to work flawlessly. The corporate is clearly conscious of this unstated method, so it’s protected to imagine the primary iPhone Fold received’t be as half-baked as Samsung’s earlier folding telephones. Whether or not it’ll be a worthy Galaxy Z Fold 7 competitor is a special story, although.
Positive, Apple has spent years creating and refining the iPhone Fold’s potential imperfections. However Samsung has been accumulating analytics and suggestions from tens of millions of customers for some time now—the form of knowledge Apple can’t essentially replicate with restricted lab checks. I’m not nervous concerning the iPhone Fold’s sturdiness or potential defects. There’s additionally the difficulty of value. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 begins at $1,999 with 256GB of storage, $800 greater than the iPhone 16 Professional Max and twice that of a MacBook Air. Will the iPhone Fold value $2,500 or extra?
However I’m most involved concerning the iPhone Fold’s distinctive options, specs, battery life, and the day-to-day utilization expertise. Will the wait be value it? We’re going to seek out out quickly.
