The Galaxy Z Fold 7 was a milestone release: it showed that Samsung’s flagship foldable could be just as thin and light as conventional phones while sacrificing relatively little. But the imminent Galaxy Z Fold 8 still has to do more.
It’s not enough to get the rumored widescreen model, or to provide the obligatory chip upgrade. I want to see Samsung rethink how it treats foldables, right down to the software foundations — if the company can do that, it will win my heart in 2026.
Tablet software and multitasking
Give me more than just larger apps
If one version of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is going to have a wide aspect ratio, I want to see Samsung make good use of it. That is, more than just running one more app side-by-side (as on the Galaxy Z TriFold) or having a little more breathing room.
That means an honest-to-goodness tablet experience close to that of the Galaxy Tab, and not just the option of on-device DeX. Apps that better use the available space would help, but I’d also love to see tablet-like windowing and other touches that make the Z Fold 8 feel more like a computer in my pocket.
And yes, Samsung should feel free to take cues from others. Take how Apple revamped iPadOS 26, for instance — even on an iPad mini, you can juggle windows and otherwise get some real work done using just the touchscreen. Samsung has already had some advantages on that front, but I’d love to have a Z Fold 8 that behaves more like a tiny computer in a pinch.
A curvier, rounded design
My palms will thank you, Samsung
I’m not expecting the Galaxy Z Fold 8 design to be radically different given case leaks, but I’m still holding out hope that Samsung will round the edges on new models. As slimmer as the Z Fold 7 was, those squared-off corners were ergonomic nightmares that dug into my palms.
A curvier design would make the Z Fold 8 easier to hold for long periods, not to mention help it fit into tight pockets. The Galaxy S26 Ultra is a marked improvement over its predecessor for that reason alone. A foldable phone has considerations that could make these changes more difficult (most notably thickness), but the Z Fold 7 was a more dramatic rework —it’s certainly possible.
I won’t be heartbroken if the Z Fold 8 is as straight-edged as before, but it will represent a missed opportunity.
Better battery life
Silicon carbon, where are you?
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 has a healthy runtime, but its 4,400mAh battery capacity is the same as in years past. That’s a real problem when the Motorola Razr Fold has a huge 6,000mAh silicon-carbon battery, and more exotic devices like the Honor Magic V6 have even larger power packs.
Rumors are that Samsung will push the capacities to 4,800mAh for the wide Z Fold 8, and 5,000mAh for the ‘conventional’ Z Fold 8. Those are meaningful upgrades by themselves, but I’d like to see the brand finally take a chance on silicon-carbon and deliver class-leading longevity, even with risks like quicker degradation over time.
I’m not expecting Qi2 support (although it might come with cases) or other charging upgrades. However, I do want a phone that will easily last through a very long day, no matter what I’m doing. The Z Fold is a workhorse, and I want battery life that reflects this.
More camera improvements
Go beyond recycled sensors
Yes, Samsung improved the cameras with the Galaxy Z Fold 7: the 200MP main sensor is versatile, and the inner display’s camera is finally good enough for meetings and selfies. If nothing changes with the Z Fold 8, it’ll still offer solid photographic chops for a foldable.
But Samsung can and should do better. These sensors still tend to be recycled from other phones, and that doesn’t cut it at a time when some competitors (particularly Chinese makes like Honor and Vivo) are relentless. I want a Z Fold 8 that takes great photos, full stop — not just for a foldable.
The form factor limits what’s possible. The Z Fold 7’s huge camera bump exists for a reason. But I’d like to see Samsung finally treat the Z Fold as more than just a mid-year release that borrows from the Galaxy S line.
A return to S Pen support
One can dream
Samsung ostensibly cut S Pen support from the Galaxy Z Fold 7 in the name of a slimmer profile. Whether or not that’s the case, it’s painful if you’re a stylus devotee — your foldable is no longer the notepad you loved.
I’m not expecting Samsung to make this change with the Z Fold 8, and I’m certainly not expecting an S26 Ultra-style slot. But I’d love to see the S Pen make a comeback, even if I’m only occasionally going to use it.
The Z Fold is often treated as a do-it-all device, and that should include input. I never want to wish I’d bought an S26 Ultra for my note taking or sketching. If Motorola and others can manage this, Samsung certainly can as well.
Stephan is the sports journalist for the Maple Grove Report.
