Three things that could help the Galaxy Z Fold 8 beat the iPhone Ultra and Moto Razr Fold

However, first impressions are vital, and if you have a device with a crease and another where you can barely see or feel it, you won’t get the ugly one. As minor as those design tweaks may sound, they could make the Z Fold 8 feel different enough from the Z Fold 7 to impress.

The return of the S Pen

One of the least popular changes to the Z Fold 7 was the removal of the S Pen support. Rumors about the Z Fold 8 and the Z Fold 8 Wide have suggested that the feature could return, which would be one of Samsung’s smartest moves.

While not everyone’s cup of tea, the S Pen has its hardcore fans because it makes sense on large phones, including book-style foldables. It’s not an accident that the Motorola Razr Fold supports the Moto Pen Ultra, which it promotes as both an artistic and productivity tool.

Adding S Pen support would also give Samsung an edge over Apple. The iPhone Ultra is not expected to support any type of stylus, at least in its first generation.

Competitive price

The most important and probably most difficult part of the equation is the price. Motorola is rumored to challenge Samsung with a $1,899 starting price for the Razr Fold. Apple is also rumored to match Samsung’s Z Fold 7 starting price and offer the iPhone Ultra for $1,999.

Considering the raging memory shortage, even sticking to last year’s prices for the Z Fold 8 and the Z Fold 8 Wide could be challenging. Still, if Samsung wants a shot at making book-style foldables mainstream, it is critical to not only keep the price unchanged but also come up with some exciting pre-order offers and discounts.

And then there’s everything else

Of course, there are several other areas where Samsung has a lot of room for improvement. Heat management and battery life were not the best on the Z Fold 7, and details like fast charging and improved camera specs could help it stand out from its competitors.

Foldables are unlikely to reshape the business of any smartphone company because they sell at much smaller numbers than any of the leading flagship slab phones. They could reshape the perception of any company’s ability to innovate, which may be just as important as actual sales. 

If Samsung wants to keep its well-deserved reputation for innovation, now’s the best time to act. Otherwise, Apple and Motorola could steal its crown.