Samsung’s next major foldable continues to spark interest as fresh rumours surrounding the Galaxy Z Fold 8 indicate notable design changes, feature upgrades and even the possibility of a second variant. With the Galaxy Z Fold 7 representing Samsung’s boldest redesign in years, expectations are naturally high for what comes next.
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 successfully helped Samsung regain momentum in a segment where rivals such as Honor and OnePlus had been making rapid progress. Its refined hardware, improved displays and enhanced camera system created a stronger footing for Samsung’s foldable strategy. With that progress in mind, anticipation is now building around how Samsung plans to evolve the experience with the Z Fold 8 and whether it will continue refining the formula that helped it reassert a stronger presence in the foldable space.
Based on industry patterns, the launch window for the Galaxy Z Fold 8 seems fairly predictable. Samsung has maintained a consistent schedule for its foldables by holding unveil events in July for the past two generations, followed by a commercial release within the same month. This rhythm has allowed the company to avoid overlap with other flagship releases during that period, making it likely that Samsung will follow the same strategy again. Pricing, however, is a more uncertain area. The global market continues to fluctuate, and recent history shows that Samsung adjusted prices upward for the Z Fold 7 in the United States and Europe by 100 dollars and 100 euros respectively. Although buyers in the United Kingdom saw no price rise compared to the previous model, changes are expected this time. Early estimates point toward a starting price of around 1,899 pounds, though pricing in the United States may remain unchanged depending on Samsung’s component strategy.
Speculation around the Z Fold 8’s hardware has gained more traction following a database entry discovered on the GSMA product listing. A device with the identifier SM F971U appeared with the codename H8, differing from the expected Q series naming style used across the range. Since the primary Z Fold 8 is already listed under SM F976 with the Q8 codename, this H8 model hints at Samsung exploring a second version. Reports suggest it could adopt a wider design with an 18:9 outer display and a more square 18:18 layout when opened. Such an approach may position Samsung more directly against a foldable iPhone, which is rumoured to favour a similar form factor. Wider foldables like the original Google Pixel Fold and Oppo Find N2 once offered this style before most brands shifted to taller cover screens, making Samsung’s possible return to a broader layout an interesting strategic choice.
Battery capacity also appears to be under consideration, with a Korean outlet indicating that Samsung may upgrade to a 5000mAh cell. This would be a necessary improvement given the current 4400mAh capacity of the Z Fold 7 and the increasingly competitive landscape where devices such as the Honor Magic V5 feature substantially larger batteries. Alongside power improvements, Samsung is reportedly working to refine the internal display crease further. A laser drilled metal plate is said to help reduce the visibility of the crease during regular use, building on the already improved design seen on the previous generation.
Another major point of interest is the expected return of S Pen support. Its removal from the Z Fold 7 surprised many users, especially as the feature has remained important for productivity and creativity on other Samsung flagships. Current leaks strongly indicate that Samsung is reinstating the capability for the Z Fold 8, addressing user feedback and restoring a key element of the Fold’s identity.
Overall, the emerging picture of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 suggests a model that expands on Samsung’s existing strengths while experimenting with form factor possibilities. With several months still to go before its anticipated unveiling, the rumour cycle will likely continue revealing new details as Samsung prepares its next high end foldable.
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