Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 could match the foldable iPhone in this one key way, setting the scene for an epic showdown next year

• Apple is said to be using new tech to nix the crease in its foldable iPhone
• Now, Samsung wants to use the same feature for its own devices
• This sets the stage for a major foldable head-to-head in 2026

Since none of the top foldable phones have achieved this yet, there have been long-standing rumors that Apple’s next iPhone will have a “crease-free” display. The two smartphone behemoths may become more competitive as Samsung appears to be aiming for the same outcome with the next Galaxy Z Fold 8 gadget.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who has a strong reputation for leaks, provided this information. Kuo asserted in a post on X that Samsung will use a crucial technology that Apple is utilizing to get rid of the obvious seam in its foldable iPhone.

In particular, Kuo thinks Apple’s foldable phone would use metal display panes that have been laser-drilled. According to Kuo’s post earlier this week, this function will aid in “distributing and controlling bending stress,” which, if ignored, might result in “material fatigue and permanent deformation,” which would cause the phone’s screen to wrinkle.

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According to Kuo, Samsung is reportedly planning to incorporate these laser-drilled metal panels into its upcoming foldable phone, suggesting that the business wants to join the trend. In contrast, the current Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 does not use these plates, which leads to the kind of obvious seam that Samsung and Apple now wish to avoid.

Foldable face-off

Being the best, not the first to market, is Apple’s motto, and the company is notorious for its perfectionist inclinations. This position explains why it hasn’t released a foldable phone yet, even though its competitors have been producing them for years. The obvious crease in the display of these devices is precisely the kind of concession that Apple would not have been prepared to make.

Apple will seize the opportunity to fix that defect if it can with this new technology. And it’s obvious that Samsung does not want to fall behind because Apple has embraced this possibly better function. As Kuo previously foresaw, Apple’s adoption of this technology may raise the bar for other foldable phone manufacturers and drive up costs.

The second half of 2026 is when Apple’s foldable iPhone is expected to go into mass production, coinciding with the anticipated launch of Samsung’s handset. Therefore, two key players may release crease-free smartphones that push the sector to new heights in an epic foldable duel next year. Mark your calendar if you’re considering purchasing a foldable phone.