Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. iPhone Fold: What to expect?

For more than half a decade, Samsung has been the only brand shipping foldable smartphones globally. Its monopoly could end this year, though, as Apple is rumored to launch its first foldable iPhone just a few months after the Galaxy Z Fold 8's launch. Analyst Jeff Pu has published a new investor note that sheds light on the possible specifications of the iPhone Fold.

Based on that report, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 may still hold key advantages over the iPhone Fold.

The first foldable iPhone could launch in September 2026 with a 5.3-inch cover display and a 7.8-inch foldable inner display that reportedly has no visible crease. It could have a side-mounted fingerprint reader, similar to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold series.

Samsung’s upcoming flagship foldable phone could feature a 6.5-inch OLED cover display and an 8-inch foldable OLED inner display with no visible crease. This would mean the Galaxy Z Fold 8 has noticeably larger screens than the iPhone Fold. However, they will have different aspect ratios.

One rumor recently claimed that the Galaxy Z Fold 8 will be compatible with the S Pen, but you should take that information with a pinch of salt. Samsung is also working on a variant of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 with a wider screen aspect ratio.

Samsung Display accidentally showcased a creaseless OLED panel at CES 2026, and we managed to capture its images.

The iPhone Fold is said to feature two 18MP front-facing cameras, one below each of its displays. It could sport a 48MP primary camera and a 48MP ultrawide camera on the rear.

Reports suggest the Galaxy Z Fold 8 will have a 200MP primary camera, a 50MP ultrawide camera, and a 12MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom. For selfies, it could use two 10MP cameras.

While Samsung’s foldable may have a clear edge in zoom performance, Apple’s device could still deliver better selfies.

Apple could power its foldable iPhone with the A20 Pro processor, manufactured using TSMC’s 2nm process. The chip is expected to be paired with 12GB of RAM and at least 256GB of storage.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 will likely be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy. The 3nm chip, manufacatured by TSMC, could be paired with up to 16GB of RAM and at least 256GB of internal storage. Some reports also claims that Samsung could use a 2nm Snapdragon chip.

While its CPU performance may slightly trail Apple’s A20 Pro, Samsung’s device could offer stronger graphics performance. Connectivity options on both phones are expected to include 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, NFC, and UWB.

The iPhone Fold’s frame is expected to use a combination of aluminum and titanium. There is no information on whether the device will have dust and water resistance.

In comparison, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is rumored to feature an Armour Aluminium frame, a narrower design, and an IP48 rating for dust and water resistance. It could be easier to hold when folded, especially compared to the iPhone Fold’s wider form factor. Both phones are expected to use a side-mounted capacitive fingerprint reader.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is rumored to come packed with a 5,000mAh battery and 45W fast charging. There is no reliable information yet about the iPhone Fold's battery capacity and charing speeds.

Historically, iPhones have delivered strong battery efficiency, so Apple’s foldable could still last a full day on a single charge. As a result, real-world battery life between the two devices could be quite similar.

Overall, neither device seems to have a clear edge. While the Galaxy Z Fold 8 could have bigger screens, the iPhone Fold could have a more efficient chip. Samsung's foldable could have better camera performance in terms of zoom, but the foldable iPhone could offer better selfies. Both phones could have similar connectivity and battery life.

Only time will tell which phone actually performs better in real life, and this article is only meant to show you what you can expect from the two upcoming devices. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 could launch in July or August, while the iPhone Fold could debut in September.

iPhone Fold Image Credits: Front Page Tech