TL; DR
- A Korean publication (DealSite) claims that Samsung will use the new foldable panel “in the Galaxy Z series, slated for release in the second half of this year.”
- Samsung might have implemented a “laser drilling process” on the backplate, creating microscopic holes that help disperse stress away from the central line of curvature, reducing the visible wrinkles that deepen with time.
- In addition, the company is believed to have added a second layer of ultra-thin glass (UTG) to the backplate, further enhancing the panel’s durability and crease resistance.
Most recently, we heard that Samsung is beginning production of tandem OLED panels for Apple’s upcoming MacBook Pro lineup (could be official by the end of this year). However, there’s still a product in the Korean conglomerate’s lineup that could use some panel innovation: the Galaxy Z Fold.
At the CES 2026, Samsung Display showcased a foldable screen with what looked like a much-improved, dramatically less visible crease. Reports covered it as a “crease-free” solution to the foldable problem, but it only improves the curvature or depth of the crease in the center by 20% (compared to the Fold 7).
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Samsung’s Next Foldable Panel Is Headed for the Galaxy Z Fold 8
Now, a Korean publication (DealSite) claims that Samsung will use the new foldable panel “in the Galaxy Z series, slated for release in the second half of this year.”
From the language (translated from Korean), it is clear that the report is talking about the Galaxy Z Fold 8. Samsung’s next-generation book-style foldable could be available in July or August 2026.
What’s even more interesting is that Samsung is reportedly the supplier of choice for Apple’s first foldable iPhone. So, will the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and the Apple iPhone Fold share the same inner display panel? Apparently not.
Samsung might have implemented a “laser drilling process” on the backplate, creating microscopic holes that help disperse stress away from the central line of curvature, reducing the visible wrinkles that deepen with time.
In addition, the company is believed to have added a second layer of ultra-thin glass (UTG) to the backplate, further enhancing the panel’s durability and crease resistance.
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Samsung’s Fold 8 and Apple’s Foldable Won’t Bend the Same Way
So, instead of a plastic protective layer + ultra-thin glass + display + backplate, we could get another layer of ultra-thin glass on top of the backplate, making it more durable. Additional improvements include refining the lamination layers and enhancing light dispersion.
On the flip side, the report cites an industry insider who says, “The panels that Samsung Display supplies to Samsung Electronics and the panels that it supplies to Apple will not be the same.”
While this doesn’t clarify the difference between the two, it indicates that both companies have come up with different ideas to solve the long-standing crease problem. Apple might not include the laser-drilling process, but it could still include a glass-based support structure for the foldable screen.
This will make it interesting to compare the creases on the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Apple’s first foldable later this year. While the former could go official in July or August, the latter could break cover at the iPhone 18 Pro launch event in September 2026.
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