Apple’s first foldable, the iPhone Duo, has emerged as Samsung’s most significant competition in years and highlights several choices that expose weaknesses in the Galaxy Z Fold 8 (and the Fold 8 Ultra). While Samsung may already have finalized many Galaxy Z Fold 9 hardware decisions, Apple’s entry could still influence Samsung’s priorities, software development and future foldables.
iPhone Duo’s Hip Hinge highlights the need for Flex Mode
Samsung pioneered Flex Mode, which lets foldable phones remain open at different angles so apps can place content on one half of the screen and controls on the other, and so users can set the phone on a surface for hands-free photos and video calls. The standard Galaxy Z Fold 8, however, does not support full Flex Mode: its hinge can hold the phone at certain angles but eventually forces the device fully open or closed, while the Fold 8 Ultra retains full Flex Mode support. Apple’s iPhone Duo includes an equivalent feature called Hip Hinge, making Samsung’s omission on the Fold 8 more noticeable. The source argues that this should put pressure on Samsung to find a better balance between hinge smoothness and angle hold—and that Flex Mode should return with the Galaxy Z Fold 9.
S Pen support may become a higher priority
The Galaxy Z Fold line once looked like the natural successor to the Galaxy Note series because of its large foldable display for drawing, writing and markups. Samsung removed S Pen support with the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Fold 8 also lacks stylus support. By contrast, Apple has given the iPhone Duo Apple Pencil support. That leaves Samsung without stylus support on its standard foldable despite the company’s history with pen input. The source suggests the Fold 9 would not need a built-in S Pen slot but that simply adding S Pen support would make the large foldable display more useful.
Apple’s nano-texture approach may prompt matte display experiments
The Fold 8’s crease is hard to see when viewed straight on but becomes more noticeable when light reflects across the middle or at certain angles. Apple uses a nano-texture, matte-like finish on the iPhone Duo to reduce reflections and help conceal the crease in bright lighting. That finish, however, can slightly reduce perceived contrast and give a hazy appearance at angles. Some users prefer Samsung’s clearer, more vibrant glossy display despite increased reflections. The source advises Samsung to study Apple’s approach rather than copy it outright and to try to develop a solution that reduces reflections and crease visibility without sacrificing clarity or contrast.
Foldable apps and software could get greater attention
Samsung has spent years improving foldable multitasking—devices can run three apps simultaneously, open apps in pop-up windows, force unsupported apps to fill the screen and control behavior when the phone is closed—but many options remain buried in menus and some apps open with layouts that don’t fit the Fold 8’s aspect ratio, requiring manual adjustments. Apple focused on making the iPhone Duo feel designed around folding, with animations, an app dock and transitions that emphasize the hardware. While the iPhone’s launch will not automatically improve Android apps—developers must optimize iOS and Android versions separately—it could encourage developers to take foldable layouts more seriously and push Samsung to make its existing foldable features easier to discover and to improve how apps behave by default.
Samsung may rethink its focus on extreme thinness
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is noticeably thinner and lighter than the iPhone Duo, which helps it feel closer to a regular smartphone when closed. But Samsung’s aggressive drive for thinness has required compromises, particularly on the Ultra model, where space is limited for a larger battery, a stylus digitizer and other hardware such as a vapor chamber cooling system. Apple accepted additional thickness and weight for features including IP68 water and dust resistance, Apple Pencil support and longer claimed battery life. The source argues Samsung should not abandon slimness—one of the Fold 8’s best qualities—but that adding modest thickness could be a reasonable trade-off to improve battery life, durability and S Pen support.
Apple’s foldable entry does not automatically change Samsung’s plans, but the iPhone Duo has already highlighted areas—hinge design, stylus support, display finish, software polish and the trade-offs of thinness—where Samsung may choose to adjust priorities for the Galaxy Z Fold 9 and future foldables.
