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This Galaxy Z Fold 8 design trade-off could be the ultimate crease fix

This upgrade might not be the most wanted one, but it makes the whole package more compelling.

Galaxy Z Fold 7 in different colors, arranged next to each other and showing the rear camera setup.
Galaxy Z Fold 7 for illustrative purposes. | Image by PhoneArena
The launch of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Flip 8 lineup is getting closer, and leaks are getting juicier and juicier. Recently, we told you about the expected prices of the series, and now, we have some reason to believe Samsung may have an ace up its sleeve to make the increase more palatable: an improved hinge.

Fixing a major problem



An X post from renowned leaker IceUniverse suggests Samsung has significantly improved the hinge. According to the July 6 post, the company is introducing a much more 'decisive' folding and unfolding mechanism. 

Reportedly, the new hinge might change how the phone handles movement, making it more challenging to keep open at certain angles. At first glance, this may look like a drawback, but it's helping Samsung fix one of the biggest drawbacks in foldables, the display crease.

IceUniverse claims the upcoming Z Fold 8 series features industry-leading crease management that lands it on par with the Oppo Find N6.

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Which Z Fold 8 upgrade are you looking forward to seeing the most?
5 Votes


Wait... what?



Making a foldable nearly creaseless has obvious benefits for the viewing experience. For manufacturers, it also serves as proof that they've solved a problem many competitors still struggle with.

But it seems many fans don't actually care that much about the crease. A quick look at online discussions shows this 'imperfection' doesn't bother every Z Fold owner. In fact, many Reddit users say it's barely noticeable. Instead, what they really want Samsung to deliver is longer battery life and S Pen support.

Samsung tackles these areas, too



Recent leaks suggest Samsung may also be addressing the concerns many foldable phone fans have with the Z Fold lineup.

Reportedly, the S Pen will be making a comeback this year after skipping the Z Fold 7. If true, this would once again help the South Korean tech giant establish its book-like foldable as a productivity assistant for busy people. 

So far, it's estimated that the S Pen will be included in the Z Fold 8 Ultra, while the passport-style Z Fold 8 might not support it. 

Battery upgrades may be on the way as well. According to industry insiders, the Z Fold 8 Ultra might come with a 5,000mAh battery and significantly faster 45W charging.

For context, the Z Fold 7 features a more modest 4,400mAh battery with 25W charging. For the wider model, we're expecting a 4,800mAh capacity.

Will that be enough?




Bottom line: Samsung certainly isn't breaking new ground. Even a 5,000mAh battery isn't particularly impressive nowadays, especially since the US-available Razr Fold packs a much larger 6,000mAh battery.

But combine that with a transformed, nearly creaseless inner panel, faster charging speeds, and S Pen support, and the Z Fold 8 lineup suddenly looks a lot more compelling. 

As I see it, this combination could ultimately be what helps buyers look past the rumored price increase.
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