The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 doubled its chances of success with a new shorter, wider model, which makes us excited to see what Samsung has in store for the Z Fold 9 series. This year may be all about the new form factor, but we’re hoping next year will shore up some of the obvious weaknesses of Samsung’s most premium foldable phones.
Right now, we’re looking at a laundry list of requests and additions we’d like to see, from the Ultra-style wider Fold 9 to the return of the S Pen, better cameras and improved battery capacity. Plus, with Samsung’s particularly close relationship with Google these days, there’s sure to be new AI-powered software tricks and features we didn’t expect.
But until Samsung makes an official announcement, here’s everything we know so far (and hope to see) about the Galaxy Z Fold 9 series.
Galaxy Z Fold 9: Price and availability
If 2026 is anything to go by, it’s a mega-inflation rate for RAM and storage components. Fueled by the massive AI data center boom, component prices are rising rapidly and, barring a drastic change, prices are expected to double again by the end of 2027.
This means that the expected launch of the Galaxy Z Fold 9 series in the summer of 2027 will come well before the peak of component price increases, forcing Samsung to raise prices again to make it on sale. We will pay close attention to this, but everything is not looking forward to a downward trend in this area.
What changes can we expect for the Galaxy Z Fold 9?
Now Samsung has established its flag double folding modelswe expect the company to reveal its full plans for the future of the Z Fold design in 2027. The wider, shorter Z Fold 8 is expected to take the biggest share of sales, which could mean Samsung will release additional models in 2027.
Samsung tested this last year Galaxy Z TriFoldthe company’s first foldable phone with two hinges and three displays. Although the existence of this phone is short-lived, we know that Samsung has working on a successorwhich probably means Galaxy Z TriFold 9 or a similar naming convention.
Depending on how well the wider Galaxy Z Fold 8 sells, Samsung could introduce a more powerful Wide Fold next year. That means the Galaxy Z Fold 9 Ultra uses the shorter, wider form factor of the Z Fold 8, all with better camera hardware and a higher-capacity battery to match the Ultra name.
It is also possible that future Ultra models will be launched Samsung’s Privacy Screen It debuted with the Galaxy S26 Ultra, as this display technology is said to ship More Samsung phones in 2027. Either way, we hope Samsung finally listens to feedback and improves the display’s PWM rate and eye care features, which lag far behind its competitors.
Many are also hoping to finally see the Galaxy Z Fold 9 with camera equipment that feels like a true flagship phone. If the next round of price hikes is true, Samsung will have to upgrade the Z Fold 9’s cameras with a telephoto camera that doesn’t feel like it did in 2019. Considering Samsung’s adoption of a horizontal Pixel-style camera panel in the Galaxy S27 series, there should be plenty of room for a Z9-like improved legacy camera setup.
We should see further improvements in battery capacity as Samsung finally begins to embrace silicon battery technology. While competitors reach 30% silicon content in some models, Samsung’s Z Fold 8 series uses only 5% silicon content. Samsung has been extremely coy about battery changes since the Galaxy Note 7 disaster, so we’re expecting a modest improvement in silicon content for the Z Fold 9 rather than something earth-shattering.
Finally, Samsung’s new Flex Titanium display technology has given way to thinner and stronger flexible glass in the Z Fold 8 series, which could also mean the return of S Pen compatibility in the Z Fold 9. I could very well see Samsung giving this capability to the longer Z Fold 9 or even the potential Z 9 TriFold and calling it the Galaxy Note Z Fold. This will give its models an important differentiator and bring back the fan-favorite Note series, making it a must-have phone for tech enthusiasts.
