7 years of Galaxy Fold: Samsung's foldable journey and what comes next

Business Standard

7 hours ago

Samsung is set to host its next Galaxy Unpacked event on July 9, where it will unveil the next generation of its foldable smartphones, including the anticipated Galaxy Z Fold 7. The company was the first smartphone brand in India to launch a consumer-ready foldable device back in 2019. While the original model didn't carry the 'Galaxy Z' moniker, it laid the foundation for what would become the Galaxy Z Fold series.
Over the years, Samsung has made significant advancements in foldable smartphone technology. With the Galaxy Z Fold 7 on the horizon, here's a look back at the evolution of Samsung's foldables and what we can expect next.
Samsung Galaxy Fold
Launch: 2019
Thickness when folded: 15.7-17.1mm
Thickness when unfolded: 6.9-7.6mm
Weight: 276g
Launched in 2019, the Galaxy Fold was the world's first mainstream foldable smartphone, offering a large-screen experience when unfolded and a compact footprint when folded. Its key innovation was the inward-folding hinge mechanism that protected the main display. It featured a 7.3-inch QXGA+ AMOLED folding screen and a 4.6-inch HD+ AMOLED cover display.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2
Launch: 2020
Thickness when folded: 13.8-16.8mm
Thickness when unfolded: 6.0-6.9mm
Weight: 282g
The Fold 2 was the first foldable under the 'Galaxy Z' branding. It introduced a Hideaway Hinge using optical fibers to enhance stability while narrowing the gap between folded halves. It also enabled Flex Mode, allowing the device to stay open at various angles for hands-free use. The main display grew to 7.6 inches, and the cover screen became more practical at 6.23 inches.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3
Launch: 2021
Thickness when folded: 14.4-16.0mm
Thickness when unfolded: 6.4mm
Weight: 271g
With the Fold 3, Samsung made a leap in durability. It became the first foldable with an IPX8 water-resistance rating and introduced Samsung's Armor Aluminum frame. Rubber seals and corrosion-resistant components in the hinge added protection against dust and moisture. It also brought S Pen support to the foldable form factor.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4
Launch: 2022
Thickness when folded: 14.2-15.8mm
Thickness when unfolded: 6.3mm
Weight: 263g
The Fold 4 reduced both weight and thickness by switching from a rotary to a linear interlocking gear hinge design. It weighed nearly 20g less than the Fold 2. The biggest upgrade was in the camera department, with the introduction of a 50MP primary sensor, replacing the older 12MP camera setup.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5
Launch: 2023
Thickness when folded: 13.4mm
Thickness when unfolded: 6.1mm
Weight: 253g
In 2023, the Fold 5 adopted a Flex Hinge, allowing the inner screen to fold in a water-drop shape. This eliminated the gap when folded and significantly reduced visible creases. The new hinge design also helped make the device slimmer and more durable.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
Launch: 2024
Thickness when folded: 12.1mm
Thickness when unfolded: 5.6mm
Weight: 239g
While retaining much of the Fold 5's aesthetic, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 added minor design refinements like flatter side rails and a boxier look. It introduced AI-powered features such as Sketch to Image, designed specifically to leverage the larger foldable display.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold: What comes next
Set to launch on July 9, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 could be the slimmest and lightest foldable from Samsung yet, with an expected unfolded thickness of 3.9mm to 4.5mm and a weight of around 215g – about 24g lighter than the Fold 6.
Reports also indicate that the cover screen could grow to 6.5 inches, up from 6.3 inches, and adopt a more traditional aspect ratio. The inner display may expand to 8.2 inches, providing an even more immersive experience.
Additionally, Samsung's teasers have hinted at the possibility of a Galaxy Z Fold 7 Ultra, a premium variant that could feature enhanced materials and further performance improvements.