This could be the year we finally see a foldable iPhone, providing a much-needed jolt to Apple’s lineup. That’s why exploring an iPhone Fold vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8 comparison is essential — it gives you a clearer picture of which device is actually worth the wait.
Samsung has long been the undisputed leader in the category, and the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is expected to build on the momentum of last year’s stellar Galaxy Z Fold 7. However, the iPhone Fold will face intense scrutiny as it marks an entirely new chapter for Apple’s hardware design.
I’ve gathered all the latest rumors and leaks surrounding these two powerhouses so you’ll have a better idea of which one to pick when they finally come out. While there’s rumors about a Galaxy Z Fold Wide, I’ll be comparing the iPhone Fold to the standard Galaxy Z Fold 8.
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iPhone Fold vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8: Rumored specifications
| Header Cell – Column 0 |
iPhone Fold |
Galaxy Z Fold 8 |
|---|---|---|
|
Price |
$1,999-$2,399 |
$1,999 |
|
Main display |
7.8-inches |
8-inches |
|
Cover display |
5.5-inches |
6.5-inches |
|
Chipset |
A20 / A20 Pro |
Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 |
|
RAM |
12GB |
12GB / 16GB |
|
Storage |
256GB / 512GB / 1TB |
256GB / 512GB / 1TB |
|
Rear cameras |
48MP, 48MP |
200MP main, 50MP ultrawide, 10MP 3x telephoto |
|
Cover Cameras |
18MP |
10MP |
|
Main Display camera |
18MP |
10MP |
|
Battery |
5,500 mAh |
5,000 mAh |
iPhone Fold vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8: Price and availability
Recent reports hint that the Z Fold 8 could launch as early as July 22, sticking to the typical timeframe for a mid-summer Galaxy Unpacked event.
Apple has clearly invested years of research and development into the iPhone Fold, so it wouldn’t be a shock if the company prices it competitively against its rival — with analysts predicting a starting price around $2,000. However, other reports say that it could cost upwards of $2,399.
While initial reports pointed to a fall reveal alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max during Apple’s usual September event, rumors of engineering hurdles suggest shipping delays. This could result in a December 2026 reveal or, at worst, a push into early 2027.
iPhone Fold vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8: Design and display
After leaving such a strong impression with the design of its last foldable, Samsung isn’t likely to deviate from the benchmark standards it has already established — which is why the Galaxy Z Fold 8 should look very familiar. Leaked renders reveal that the Z Fold 8 will measure 158.4 x 143.2 x 4.5mm when unfolded and 158.4 x 72.8 x 9mm when folded.
This suggests it will be a smidge thicker than the Galaxy Z Fold 7, but this extra girth could mark the return of S Pen support. Samsung opted to omit the stylus for the Z Fold 7 to prioritize a razor-thin profile, so its return would significantly boost the Z Fold 8’s utility.
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is expected to retain the same display configuration: a 6.5-inch cover screen and a larger 8-inch main display. Samsung only needs to make minor refinements here, as the Z Fold 7 already boasts one of the brightest displays on the market. Interestingly, while the Galaxy S26 Ultra made waves with its new Privacy Display, but no leaks currently suggest this tech will make its way to the Fold 8.
As Apple’s first entry into the category, the design of the iPhone Fold carries a lot of weight. Recent photos of a purported dummy unit show the device sporting a very unconventional aspect ratio compared to other book-style foldables. It appears significantly wider when unfolded, a move that could be intentional to create a more tablet-like multitasking experience.
The iPhone Fold is expected to feature a 5.5-inch outer screen and a 7.8-inch main display. While these panels aren’t quite as large as Samsung’s, sources indicate the iPhone will have little to no crease, offering a more seamless look. Reports claim Apple will achieve this through a specialized liquid metal hinge and a unique glass support structure.
iPhone Fold vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8: Cameras
While the displays and design are getting all the attention, I expect the iPhone Fold to be just as reliable a camera phone for your daily needs. So far, leaks indicate it will be equipped with a dual-camera setup — both of which are reportedly 48MP sensors. Although the second camera hasn’t been fully detailed, I suspect it will likely be a 48MP ultrawide to complement the 48MP main sensor.
Given that Apple upgraded its iPhone 17 lineup with an 18MP Center Stage camera, it’s reasonable to expect the same for the iPhone Fold. However, the real differentiator could be the rumors of Apple using an under-display camera for the larger, 7.8-inch main display. This would result in a much more seamless-looking panel compared to the hole-punch designs of its predecessors.
Despite this sleek setup, Apple might still find itself at a disadvantage against the Galaxy Z Fold 8’s triple-camera system. Not only does Samsung cover more range for photographers, but there are other significant upgrades on the horizon.
In addition to carrying over the 200MP main shooter, the Z Fold 8 is tipped to receive an upgraded 50MP ultrawide and a sharper 12MP 3x telephoto lens.
iPhone Fold vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8: Performance and battery
If the iPhone Fold launches this year, it will likely be powered by Apple’s latest A-series silicon — the A20 or A20 Pro. I expect the latter to be the primary choice given the device’s premium price point and the need for significant processing power to handle its expansive multitasking features. Regardless of the outcome, I’m confident that it will match the performance of Apple’s other 2026 flagships.
Battery life has long been a strength for the iPhone lineup, and its first foldable should follow suit. While concrete leaks are still surfacing, recent reports suggest it could be packed with a massive 5,500mAh battery. While this would be larger than the unit in the iPhone 17 Pro Max, it’s important to remember that this capacity must power a much larger, tablet-sized main display.
If previous releases are any indication, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 should adopt the same Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset currently powering the Galaxy S26 Ultra. This chip has already shown impressive efficiency in our benchmarks, though there remains a possibility of Samsung leaning on its own Exynos chip in certain regions.
Given the power efficiency of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, reports that Samsung is increasing the Z Fold 8’s battery capacity to 5,000 mAh should yield even longer endurance. For reference, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 lasted 10 hours and 55 minutes on our battery drain test, so we could finally see a foldable crack the 12-hour mark.
iPhone Fold vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8: Software and AI
Samsung has spent years refining its software specifically for the foldable form factor, so it will be fascinating to see what further optimizations arrive with the Galaxy Z Fold 8.
The series has already proven itself as a productivity powerhouse thanks to its sophisticated split-screen multitasking, the desktop-like experience of Samsung DeX, and a comprehensive suite of Galaxy AI features. I suspect the Fold 8 will inherit all the latest innovations introduced with the Galaxy S26, including Now Nudge and Gemini’s advanced task automation.
Meanwhile, Apple faces a significant challenge in proving to consumers it can successfully adapt its mobile software to this new form factor. The rumored wide-screen format of the iPhone Fold suggests it could finally introduce true side-by-side multitasking — a feature we could end up seeing at WWDC 2026 with the iOS 27 reveal.
The bigger question remains the evolution of Apple Intelligence. While we’ve seen incremental additions with the arrival of iOS 26, if rumors about Apple leveraging Gemini to power a more capable Siri are true, the iPhone Fold could launch with a transformative AI experience that finally rivals Samsung’s ecosystem.
iPhone Fold vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8: Outlook
Apple undoubtedly has a compelling product in the iPhone Fold. Given that it’s long overdue, I expect Apple is pouring immense effort into ensuring this release is a landmark moment for the company. While the hardware and software will almost certainly be polished, the device’s pricing could ultimately seal its fate. We’ve already seen how the Galaxy Z TriFold struggled after pricing itself out of the mainstream market, so I’m hoping Apple surprises us — much as it did with the iPhone Air — by sticking to a more conservative price point.
As for Samsung, it may currently sit at the top, but the Galaxy Z Fold 8 cannot afford to be complacent. With formidable competition finally on the horizon, Samsung can no longer rely on iterative updates. To stay one step ahead of Apple, the Z Fold 8 must be backed by significant hardware upgrades and an even deeper integration of Galaxy AI features.
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