The Galaxy Z Fold 9 could arrive with one of the most notable design changes yet seen in Samsung’s foldable line, according to early reports. Despite the recent release of the Z Fold 8, Samsung is said to already be developing its successor, with a concept reportedly in progress.
The device is expected to compete directly with the iPhone Duo, and potentially the iPhone Duo 2, which is anticipated next September.
A Thinner Foldable Than Its Predecessor
According to leaked details, the Galaxy Z Fold 9 could measure just 7.9mm thick when folded and 3.9mm when unfolded. That marks a considerable reduction from the Z Fold 8, which measures 9.7mm folded and 4.5mm unfolded. If accurate, Samsung would be shaving roughly 14% off the thickness of its current foldable.
By comparison, the iPhone Duo is already among the bulkiest foldables available. It measures 5.2mm when opened and 11.3mm when closed, making it over 10% thicker than the Z Fold 8. The iPhone Duo also weighs 254 grams, heavier than the 201-gram Z Fold 8, the 215-gram Z Fold 8 Ultra, and even the 249-gram iPhone 18 Pro Max.
Should Samsung achieve the reported reductions while Apple keeps its design largely unchanged, the gap in size and weight between the two devices could widen significantly.
A Possible Return of the Under-Display Camera
Another detail from the report suggests Samsung may be considering an under-display camera for the new foldable, most likely referring to the sensor on the inner display. This would mirror Apple’s approach with the Duo, as well as several of Samsung’s own earlier devices.
Samsung first introduced an under-display camera with the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and retained it through the Galaxy Z Fold 6, despite the reduced image quality it offered. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 saw the return of the punch-hole camera, which delivered a marked improvement in image quality during testing.
Reaction to the iPhone Duo has been mixed. Those who had hoped for a more compact handset, including fans of smaller phones such as the iPhone 13 mini, have expressed disappointment over its size, weight and price.
These claims remain at a very early stage. Even if internal discussions around the Galaxy Z Fold 9 are under way, any plans could change considerably before launch. Samsung is expected to release the Galaxy Z Fold 9 around July 2026.
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Image: phonearena.com
