Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 9 could change something we thought was already solved

By Polina Kovalakova

Published: Aug 05, 2026, 5:39 AM

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A person holds the Galaxy Z Fold 8 in their palm, showing the phone's rear design.

Galaxy Z Fold 8 feels like perfection in the hand. | Image by PhoneArena

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Following the record-breaking success of its Galaxy Z Fold 8, Samsung must now find a way to make next year's foldable phones just as exciting. Reports claim the company is already working on it, supposedly preparing major display improvements.

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Samsung may be developing new foldable display tech

Samsung's upcoming foldable may look even better than the Z Fold 8 Ultra. | Image by PhoneArena

Industry insiders are claiming (machine translated) that the South Korean tech giant is already developing a new kind of tech that could be implemented in next year's Galaxy Z Fold 9.

Called CTG (center-etched thin glass) or Hybrid UTG (ultra-thin glass), the technology thins only the central folding portion of the cover glass. By thinning this specific section while keeping the rest of the display thicker, the panel can fold more easily while gaining greater overall strength, rigidity, and durability.

Samsung Electronics is showing signs of accelerating the application of next-generation foldable technologies, including CTG, in response to major competitors. However, whether it will actually be adopted will become clear around the fourth quarter of this year.

Anonymous display industry official, August 2026

Is Samsung focusing on the right thing?

Yes, there must be constant innovation on this front

I think the Galaxy Z Fold 8 series is already tough enough

No, Samsung should work on the software instead

Samsung should make the phones thinner and lighter

Samsung should focus on improving battery life

Samsung must bring back the S Pen

8 Votes

Will it actually make it into the Galaxy Z Fold 9?

A projection of how much the foldable market could grow in 2027. | Image by Counterpoint Research

According to reports, the CTG technology is still pretty new, and there are significant challenges that Samsung's team might have to overcome before it can be mass-produced.

One of the biggest challenges with this approach is that removing material from the center of the cover glass could create an uneven surface. As a result, the screen may not appear completely flat when viewed from some angles.

Still, continuing to push display innovation is important for Samsung as competition in the foldable market grows. With Apple expected to enter the segment with its first foldable iPhone next month, Samsung will face new pressure to maintain its position as a foldable smartphone leader.

Additionally, foldables are expected to keep growing into 2027. One of Counterpoint Research's latest analyses on the market projects that global shipments will surpass the 100 million mark, increasing nearly 30% year-over-year.

The tougher, the better

A breakdown of the Flex Titanium, the new tech that arrived with the Z Fold 8. | Image by Samsung

While the foldable phone market has experienced steady growth over the past few years, there are still some users who hesitate to adopt the form factor, with durability being the main concern.

But with technologies like CTG, Samsung could make the foldable phone experience more reliable. With more durable displays and tougher hinges like the Flex Titanium used in the Z Fold 8, foldables could move beyond an exciting novelty and become the preferred everyday choice for a wider audience.

I hope we see it next year

Both of Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 models proved a remarkable success for Samsung, with some regions already noting the devices have broken pre-order records. But with the iPhone Ultra just around the corner, the company will have to work even harder next year.

And to me, successfully developing, manufacturing, and adopting CTG could help Samsung's upcoming foldable phones stand out. It remains to be seen whether it'll be the defining upgrade of the next generation or a smaller but meaningful improvement. Still, I'm hoping we'll get to see it on next year's devices.

Before you go:

Check out how Apple plans to solve the display and hinge durability problem in its first foldable
Explore our full review of the Galaxy Z Fold 8
There are huge differences between the first-ever Galaxy foldable and the new Z Fold 8

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Polina Kovalakova, a News and Affiliate Content Writer, has nurtured a passion for mobile technology since the era before smartphones. With a history of exploring a variety of devices, her insights into the mobile world are both broad and nuanced. Polina's non-partisan view extends to appreciating nearly every smartphone brand, a reflection of her open-minded approach to technology. Polina is equally passionate about uncovering the best online deals, tirelessly working to ensure her readers snag top-tier tech at unbeatable prices.

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