Samsung’s foldable phone strategy seems to be prioritizing stability over rapid innovation, potentially ceding ground to Chinese competitors pushing the boundaries of foldable technology. A key manufacturing partner suggests that significant upgrades to Samsung’s foldables won’t arrive until 2026, leaving the next few iterations with only incremental improvements.
An executive at FastPrint, a Chinese company that recently supplied the mainboard for the Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition, revealed to Korean news outlet The Elec that the Galaxy Z Fold 7 series may not offer substantial upgrades. Most advancements are reportedly slated for the 2026 Galaxy Z Fold 8 series. FastPrint’s involvement with Samsung extends to the Galaxy S25 series as well, lending credibility to their insights.
The hinge on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6.
While acknowledging the possibility of future changes, the FastPrint executive stated, “Looking only at Samsung Electronics’ foldable phone form factor, it seems that there will be some changes starting with the Z8 series that will be released in 2026, aside from the Galaxy Z7 series next year.” The executive also suggested that Samsung’s slowed innovation pace is partly due to the competitive landscape, including the rise of Chinese foldable phones and the anticipated entry of Apple into the market.
Galaxy Z Fold 7: Echoes of the Special Edition
Supply chain expert Ross Young corroborated these claims, indicating that the Galaxy Z Fold 7 will likely inherit the design of the Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition. This suggests that while the Fold 7 might adopt the Special Edition’s slimmer profile and larger display, significant changes to the overall design and camera hardware are unlikely.
Fold 7 should have same display sizes as Fold 6 SE. So, Fold 6 SE will basically become the Fold 7.
Flip 7 should grow from 6.7" to 6.85" and cover display should be around 4".— Ross Young (@DSCCRoss) December 2, 2024
The Competitive Landscape
Chinese manufacturers like Honor, Vivo, and Xiaomi have continuously pushed the envelope in foldable phone design, often featuring slimmer devices and more advanced camera systems. This aggressive innovation poses a challenge to Samsung, particularly considering the premium price tag associated with its foldable devices.
The Future of Samsung Foldables
The question remains: how will Samsung maintain its competitive edge in the foldable market while charging a premium for devices that may lag behind in innovation? While the current outlook suggests a period of incremental upgrades, only time will tell if Samsung can reignite its innovative spirit and reclaim its position at the forefront of foldable technology. The 2026 Galaxy Z Fold 8 series may hold the key to Samsung’s future in the foldable arena.
