It’s no secret that Apple tends to experiment with prototypes privately, whereas a lot of their rivals use their prospects as guinea pigs. The iPhone maker, for essentially the most half, has traditionally kept away from placing out “unfinished” merchandise, whereas Samsung, Google, and others want to iterate in public with merchandise that would use some extra time within the lab. Nowhere is that clearer than with folding telephones. Samsung has been launching new foldable telephones for half a decade with various success, whereas Apple has but to announce its first folding iPhone.
Samsung’s Unpacked occasion earlier this week was not like any earlier one, nevertheless. For the primary time, it appears like the newest Galaxy Z Fold 7 isn’t an overpriced beta product riddled with design imperfections and different compromises. It has seemingly matured right into a sensible, multifunctional telephone that caters to a wider vary of customers far past rabid early adopters. That is nice information for Samsung followers—however probably even higher information for these anticipating the iPhone Fold, rumored to launch subsequent yr.
Crease lower
Maybe essentially the most obvious subject with early Galaxy Z Fold fashions was the show crease. Samsung’s early foldable screens would develop a visual line within the middle after repeated folding. Not solely would it not strip the units of their flagship really feel, however in some circumstances, it will have an effect on usability and result in premature repairs.
Bear in mind the early Galaxy Z telephones with an ugly crease down the center? These days are lengthy gone.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Samsung managed to attenuate the issue through the years by way of design tweaks, and the newest Galaxy Z Fold 7 incorporates an much more sturdy hinge. Taking this under consideration, it’s sensible to imagine that the iPhone Fold gained’t undergo from any main crease problems when it launches in September 2026. Apple has had adequate time to develop a long-lasting resolution, because the display screen crease has been rumored to be its largest precedence. When the iPhone Fold launches subsequent yr, it’ll should be totally flawless simply to match the Z Fold 7.
Thinpossible
One other frequent foldable telephone downside is the design, specifically, thickness and weight. Producers are basically stitching two smartphones collectively—all whereas sustaining their sturdiness, high-end specs, and so forth. Slimming them down is not any straightforward feat. Nonetheless, Samsung has lastly polished the design with its Galaxy Z Fold 7, suggesting Apple goes down an identical path.
The newest Samsung foldable weighs solely 215g and has a thickness of 8.9mm and 4.2mm when folded and unfolded, respectively. For comparability, the iPhone 16 Professional Max weighs 227g and is 8.25mm thick. So, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 has basically turn out to be a normal-sized smartphone when folded and an ultra-slim pill in its unfolded type. It’s now not an awesome, chunky brick. It’s so skinny, the truth is, Samsung needed to drop S-Pen help.
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is tremendous skinny when open and closed.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
On condition that this yr’s iPhone 17 Air is rumored to be 5.5mm skinny (and the extremely highly effective iPad Professional M4 is simply 5.1mm skinny), it’s doubtless Apple has discovered a technique to make the iPhone Fold equally skinny. However how skinny is the query—and what Apple might want to sacrifice to get there.
Professional-formance
One other technological milestone is powering the Galaxy Z Fold 7 with a flagship processor—the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy. With such a skinny physique, overheating is clearly a priority, which is one thing Apple has already discovered with its personal silicon. As I discussed above, look no additional than the iPad Professional and upcoming iPhone 17 Air to see how extremely environment friendly Apple’s chips are.
If it launches subsequent yr as rumored, we assume the iPhone Fold will supply the yet-to-be-announced A20 Professional to ship superior iPadOS 26-like options, akin to app windowing, when unfolded. Folding telephones have been established as premium units, and Apple will doubtless comply with go well with by placing its strongest cellular chip into its highest-end machine.
Sharp capturing
Incorporating a Professional digital camera system right into a slim foldable is one more impediment that Samsung has overcome. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 gives a powerful triple rear lens setup, that includes a 200MP essential sensor. The entrance digital camera now additionally boasts a large 100-degree discipline of view, letting customers increase the body when taking group selfies.
On the ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air, Apple is predicted to make use of a single digital camera, and most rumors counsel the iPhone Fold can have a pair of broad and ultra-wide lenses to permit for superior portraits and macro mode with restricted zoom capabilities. So, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 will doubtless beat the iPhone right here, however Apple is bound to place main emphasis on the iPhone Fold’s photographic capabilities.
The Galaxy Z Fold7 has a powerful triple-camera system.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
On the subject of the entrance digital camera, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 has two, one on the surface show and one other on the within to be used when opened, with two single-hole cutouts for the cameras. Apple is rumored to be taking an identical path because it shifts away from the Dynamic Island and strikes Face ID parts beneath the show.
It’s not clear what meaning for Face ID, which might give Apple an edge right here. However with two screens, Apple is more likely to ditch Face ID on the iPhone Fold for Contact ID inside the facility button just like the iPad mini and Air.
The stakes are excessive
Apple fanatics have typically grown accustomed to receiving modern {hardware} later than everybody else. When mentioned upgrades ultimately arrive, nevertheless, they count on them to work flawlessly. The corporate is clearly conscious of this unstated system, so it’s protected to imagine the primary iPhone Fold gained’t be as half-baked as Samsung’s earlier folding telephones. Whether or not it’ll be a worthy Galaxy Z Fold 7 competitor is a special story, although.
Certain, Apple has spent years creating and refining the iPhone Fold’s potential imperfections. However Samsung has been amassing analytics and suggestions from thousands and thousands of customers for some time now—the sort of information Apple can’t essentially replicate with restricted lab checks. I’m not anxious concerning the iPhone Fold’s sturdiness or potential defects. There’s additionally the difficulty of value. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 begins at $1,999 with 256GB of storage, $800 greater than the iPhone 16 Professional Max and twice that of a MacBook Air. Will the iPhone Fold value $2,500 or extra?
However I’m most involved concerning the iPhone Fold’s distinctive options, specs, battery life, and the day-to-day utilization expertise. Will the wait be value it? We’re going to search out out quickly.
