As those technologies evolved, Samsung focused on another challenge: making a large-screen foldable easier to carry every day, without losing the experiences that make the form factor unique.

And through that pursuit, the Galaxy Z Fold5 weighed 253 grams, and Galaxy Z Fold6 reduced its weight further to 239 grams.

With Galaxy Z Fold7 came an even more ambitious goal:

“Could a foldable be lighter than a bar-type flagship smartphone?”

At the time, the Galaxy S25 Ultra — one of Samsung’s flagship bar-type smartphones — weighed 218 grams. So, the development team set an even lighter weight target for the Galaxy Z Fold7: 215 grams.

And now, building on years of foldable innovation, the Galaxy Z Fold8 combines a new form factor with advances in core technologies, materials and internal architecture to weigh just 201 grams — 52 grams lighter than the Galaxy Z Fold5. At 201 grams, Galaxy Z Fold8 is the world’s lightest fold.[1]

Galaxy Z Fold’s weight and thickness by generation, from 276 grams and 17.1 millimeters with the first Galaxy Fold to 201 grams and 8.9 millimeters with Galaxy Z Fold8, the world’s lightest fold.

But consumers expected more than just a lighter foldable.

A 2024 YouGov survey[2] found that a bulky or heavy design remained a concern among consumers not planning to purchase foldables, while battery life, durability and display quality ranked as top priorities for those considering them.

This insight shaped a core engineering goal for Samsung: make foldables thinner and lighter, while maintaining the core experiences users value most.

Battery life, camera performance, thermal management and durability still had to advance.

That could not be achieved by changing a single component. Samsung engineers had to reimagine the entire device — advancing fundamental foldable technologies, introducing new materials and revisiting hundreds of components and auxiliary parts to the fraction-of-a-gram level.

From 253 grams to 201 grams. Three engineering innovations enabled that transformation.

From Galaxy Z Fold5 to Galaxy Z Fold8, Samsung reduced 52 grams to deliver the world’s lightest foldable.

The Thinner and Lighter a Foldable Gets, the More Precise the Engineering Must Become

Making a foldable thinner and lighter brings a new set of engineering challenges.

The layers inside the display need to become thinner while still meeting Samsung’s reliability requirements. The metal plate supporting the display needs to stay extremely flat even as it becomes thinner. And the hinge has to manage the forces created every time the device folds and unfolds, while being designed around the size and structure of each product.

Across generations, Samsung has continued to advance the display layers, ultra-thin metal precision machining and hinge technologies central to its foldable devices.

One example is Flex Titanium.

The displays in the Galaxy Z Fold8 and Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra use Flex Titanium technology featuring a Titanium Alloy Film designed for the foldable display structure.

The film is just tens of micrometers thick — roughly one-third the width of a human hair. Its material and structure work together to maintain performance at this extreme thickness.

The metal plate that supports the display presents a different challenge.

Some metal plates are  approximately 0.2 millimeters thick, with the thinnest sections reaching 0.15 millimeters. At that level, simply making the metal thinner is not enough. Thin metal can bend or warp more easily during creation, and even a small change in shape can affect assembly precision or the surface quality of the display.

What matters is the ability to build ultra-thin metal at around 0.2 millimeters while consistently achieving the required shape and flatness.

Samsung refined the design sequence, tooling, cooling conditions and process parameters, breaking the process into multiple stages to maintain precision.

The hinge requires the same level of care.

Beyond simply opening and closing the phone, it must distribute the forces created by repeated folding and unfolding across the device while maintaining structural stability.

And these requirements vary by product size and architecture.

Samsung engineers the hinge for each form factor, carefully balancing load distribution, strength, internal space and weight rather than just scaling it down from one generation to the next.

Creating a thinner and lighter foldable requires more than downsizing individual parts.

It comes from greater precision in how materials are created, how forces are managed and how structures are designed within a limited space.

Lighter, Built for Strength — Starting With the Materials

The second area is materials innovation.

Different parts of a foldable have very different jobs. Some demand high rigidity. Some must withstand repeated movement. Others need to spread heat efficiently.

Samsung selects and develops materials around those specific needs, delivering the performance each requires while optimizing weight and space.

In the Galaxy Z Fold8 and Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Flex Titanium incorporates a Titanium Alloy Film to support the foldable display structure.

For the exterior, Samsung uses Advanced Armor Aluminum[3], helping provide the strength needed in a thin and lightweight frame.

Materials also play an important role in thermal management.

As a device gets thinner, there is less room to manage the heat generated inside. Samsung uses graphite with improved thermal performance, while tailoring the overall thermal structure to the size and performance requirements of each product.

In the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, which has similar overall dimensions to the Galaxy Z Fold7, the volume of the graphite heat-dissipation layer was increased by approximately 7% to help support its enhanced performance.

Samsung also applies Clad Metal inside the rear of the device. By combining the characteristics of different metals, the material helps reduce weight while providing the thermal performance required within a thin structure.

Materials innovation is therefore not just about choosing lighter options, but about using the right material in the right place to deliver the performance each part needs with less weight and space.

Looking Again at the Entire Device — Down to 0.001 Grams

Only so much can be achieved through core technologies and new materials alone.

In a foldable already packed with highly integrated components, finding the next few grams means looking again at almost everything inside the device.

Samsung engineers reviewed approximately 270 components and more than 180 types of auxiliary parts.

This spanned everything from the display, hinge and cameras to circuit boards, antennas, brackets, tapes and fasteners.

The precision extended to reductions of 0.1 grams and 0.1 millimeters, and in some auxiliary parts, as little as 0.001 grams.

The printed circuit board, or PCB, was redesigned to remove unnecessary circuits, improve component layout and minimize its footprint.

The MFC (Magnetic Flux Channel) antenna was also reimagined to reduce unnecessary overlap and interference with surrounding components, allowing the limited internal space to be used more efficiently.

Every auxiliary part, no matter how small, was examined.

Of the more than 180 types previously used, approximately 15 were eliminated.

Engineers then reviewed the remaining 170 types, trimming oversized areas, refining shapes and optimizing dimensions. Multiple parts were consolidated into single structures where possible.

In some cases, the savings were measured in increments as small as 0.001 grams.

Each change seems minor in isolation, but repeated across the device, fractions of a gram become tenths of a gram, then whole grams.

The weight savings on a finished device result from hundreds of small engineering decisions.

Finding 6 Grams Again to Make Room for More

The goal was to reinvest the weight and space recovered through engineering into the capabilities people actually experience — including the battery, cameras and thermal system.

The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra provides a separate example of how this approach can be applied.

The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra and Galaxy Z Fold7 have similar overall dimensions and both weigh 215 grams. But within that same weight, the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra increases battery capacity from 4,400 mAh to 5,000 mAh.[4]

That larger battery brought its own challenge: the battery itself added approximately 6 grams.

So the development team faced a new question:

“Where could we find those 6 grams again?”

There was no single component that could provide the answer.

Instead, engineers applied the same systematic approach across the entire device — materials and structures, circuit layouts and component placement, down to the smallest auxiliary parts — identifying weight savings across all components.

This strategy extended to internal space optimization.

By reducing unnecessary overlap between the display, circuits, antennas and surrounding components, and by improving packaging efficiency, Samsung created room for a larger battery and enhanced thermal and camera systems.

As a result, the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra accommodates a 5,000 mAh battery while increasing the volume of its graphite heat-dissipation layer by approximately 7% compared with the similarly sized Galaxy Z Fold7.

The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra features a 200 MP main camera and introduces the first 50 MP Ultra-Wide camera on a Galaxy Z Fold device.

Samsung’s approach to a thinner and lighter foldable is therefore not about removing capabilities.

It is about redirecting weight and space savings toward the flagship experiences users value most.

From 253 Grams to 201 Grams: Redefining the Weight Standard for Foldables

The journey began with the first Galaxy Fold at 276 grams in 2019. Across eight generations, Samsung has continued to advance the technologies, materials and internal architecture behind the foldable experience.

In recent generations, that progress accelerated — from 253 grams with Galaxy Z Fold5 to 201 grams with Galaxy Z Fold8.

But the story isn’t just about reducing weight.

Samsung’s goal has been to make a large-screen foldable easier to carry without giving up the qualities users expect from a flagship smartphone.

The weight and space recovered through advances in core technologies, materials and component design were put back into the battery, cameras, thermal system and other flagship experiences users value most.

From 253 grams to 201 grams.

No single material or component made that transformation possible.

Eight generations of engineering enabled this, advancing core technologies, introducing new materials and rethinking the entire device to make Galaxy Z Fold easier to carry without compromising the flagship experience.

Galaxy Z Fold Series: A Thinner, Lighter Journey in Numbers

– 52 g
Galaxy Z Fold8 is 52 grams lighter than Galaxy Z Fold5.

1/3, 0.2 mm
The Titanium Alloy Film used in Flex Titanium is approximately one-third the width of a human hair, while ultra-thin metal structures supporting the display are precision-machined to around 0.2 millimeters.

~270 / 180+ / 0.001 g
Samsung re-examined approximately 270 components and more than 180 types of auxiliary parts, optimizing some down to 0.001 grams.

5,000 mAh / +~7% / 200 MP + 50 MP
Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra features a 5,000 mAh battery, approximately 7% more graphite heat-dissipation volume and a 200 MP main camera with a 50 MP Ultra-Wide camera.

[1] Based on internal research as of July 22, 2026, comparing commercially available book-style foldable smartphones globally. Exact weight may vary by model, configuration and manufacturing process. Weight measured excluding protective cases or accessories.

[2] Source: YouGov plc, 2024, © All rights reserved

[3] Armor Aluminum frame does not include volume and side keys, SIM tray or camera lens barrel.

[4] Typical value tested under third-party laboratory condition. Typical value is the estimated average value considering the deviation in battery capacity among the battery samples tested under IEC 61960 standard. Rated capacity is 4854 mAh for Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra.

In anticipation of the next chapter in Galaxy innovation, one thing remains clear: Samsung is shaping the foldable experience through purposeful refinement, thoughtful design and a relentless focus on what people need from their devices.

Long before foldables became one of the industry’s most closely-watched categories, Samsung was investing in the technology that would help make them a reality. In 2018, the company unveiled its Infinity Flex Display, which enables more immersive viewing and improved multitasking capabilities without sacrificing portability. The first Galaxy Fold went to market the following year, with the Galaxy Z Flip debuting in early 2020 as a new form factor.

Those moments were more than product launches. They established the foundation for an emerging category. And in the time since, Samsung has made continued advancements in durability, performance and user experience.

As foldables have gained momentum and the category has expanded, Samsung remains focused on the details that matter most. Each iteration has improved on the last, informed by customer feedback and real-world experience. The result is a portfolio of devices that has helped turn foldables from a futuristic concept into a trusted choice for millions of users around the world.

“Our job has always been to make the foldable technology feel more natural, more intuitive and more useful,” said Tarik Akad, Head of Mobile, Samsung Electronics Canada. “That’s been our focus from the beginning. Every improvement has been guided by how people use their devices, and those insights continue to shape where we believe foldables can go next.”

The capabilities of smartphones have expanded well beyond calls and texts, and the expectations will continue to evolve. Years of refining foldables give Samsung a unique perspective on the future of mobile technology – and how to build devices that meet the moment.

That journey is far from over.

Once again, Samsung is preparing to redefine what’s possible, building on years of engineering and ambition that have shaped the foldable category from the beginning.

Designed to expand the narrative beyond the film, the experience bridges the world of Spider-Man: Brand New Day with real world campaign moments that include cast appearances and interviews, spotlighting live activations, content drops, hidden easter eggs, and fan-submitted sightings. Fans can join in on the interactive campaign, follow Spider-Man sightings and engage with the story in real time, while connecting to a shared community experience at SpideyTracker.com. The Spidey Tracker is available in 35 countries worldwide.

Spidey Tracker powered by Samsung Galaxy as seen in the upcoming Spider-Man: Brand New Day film. © & 2026 MARVEL. ©2026 CPII & TSG

Galaxy Technology in Action

Through integrated storytelling, moviegoers will see the portability of the Galaxy Z Flip on full display in the hands of Spider-Man and the multi-tasking benefits of the Galaxy Z Fold and Galaxy Watch as Ned Leeds tries to locate the elusive Spider-Man.

Reflecting the reality that even our closest relationships can evolve as life takes us in new directions, Samsung is highlighting how its technology helps people stay close to those who matter most. It celebrates the importance of human connection and self-expression, bringing together Samsung’s ethos with the inspiring characters and timeless stories that make Spider-Man one of the world’s most iconic heroes.

“Spider-Man has always been a hero defined by his connection to his community. Teaming up with Samsung helped bring that spirit to life both on screen and beyond, integrating the technology people use every day into Spider-Man’s world while also bringing innovative and fun new ways for fans to engage through the Spidey Tracker,” said Jeffrey Godsick, Executive Vice President, Global Partnerships, Sony Pictures Entertainment.

Unfolding online and in real-world spaces throughout the summer, see Spidey pop up on the map, at live events and venues, in popular creator videos, and maybe even at a Samsung Experience Store — keep your eyes peeled!

Learn more about the latest Galaxy innovations keeping your favourite heroes connected at Samsung.com and don’t miss Sony Pictures’ Spider-Man: Brand New Day exclusively in theaters July 31.

About Sony Pictures’ Spider-Man: Brand New Day

It’s a BRAND NEW DAY for Peter Parker. Fighting crime full-time as Spider-Man in a world that doesn’t remember him—and the pressure of seeing his old friends move on without him—sparks a change in Peter he may not have the power to control. But that transformation might also be the only thing that can stop a shocking new threat to the city and those he loves – a powerful villain no one can even see.

The world may have forgotten Peter Parker, but he hasn’t forgotten them.

Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, the film is written by Chris McKenna & Erik Sommers and Justin Kuritzkes. Based on the MARVEL Comic Book by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, serving as producers are Kevin Feige, p.g.a., Amy Pascal, p.g.a., Avi Arad, and Rachel O’Connor, p.g.a. Executive producers are Louis D’Esposito and David Cain. The film stars Tom Holland, Zendaya, Sadie Sink, Jacob Batalon, Jon Bernthal, Tramell Tillman, Michael Mando and Mark Ruffalo. Credits not final.

This year, Samsung Galaxy devices offer thoughtful gift ideas for every kind of relationship, whether shopping for a partner, a best friend, or planning something special with your Galentine group.

For the Everyday Moments: Galaxy S25 FE

Love lives in the small moments, and the Galaxy S25 FE is built to capture them all, at an affordable price. Designed to make sharing life effortless, it features Galaxy AI1 tools like Circle to Search2 and intuitive photo editing that simplify everything from planning dates to organizing photos. Sleek, smart, and easy to use, this smartphone helps partners stay present and connected, day in and day out. 

For Shared Wellness Goals: Galaxy Watch8 Series and Galaxy Ring

For couples or friends building healthier routines together, the Galaxy Watch8 Series and Galaxy Ring turn wellness into a shared experience. Powered by Galaxy AI, the devices deliver actionable insights such as optimal sleep time recommendations, stress management tools including guided breathing and mood check-ins, nutrition guidance informed by the antioxidant sensor, and personalized movement goals that gently prompt you to move or stretch throughout the day. With advanced sleep tracking3, fitness monitoring, and personalized wellness insights, these devices support long-term habits, whether that’s morning workouts, better rest, or setting goals together through Group Challenges using Samsung Health. 

For Every Journey’s Playlist: Galaxy Buds3 Series

Every relationship has a soundtrack: road trip anthems, workout playlists, and songs that instantly bring back memories. The Galaxy Buds3 Series delivers immersive sound with active noise cancelling and seamless Galaxy connectivity. On-the-go features like Live Translate4 and Interpreter5 make them especially useful for those romantic trips abroad or exploring new places together with friends. 

For the Power Pairs: Galaxy Z Fold7 and Galaxy Book4 Edge

For couples and friends who create, collaborate, and juggle busy schedules, the Galaxy Z Fold7 and Galaxy Book4 Edge deliver power and flexibility. The Galaxy Z Fold7’s expansive screen, Galaxy AI multitasking tools, and Samsung DeX mode6, which transforms your phone into a desktop-like workspace when connected to a display,  make it easy to stay productive anywhere. Meanwhile, the Galaxy Book4 Edge stands out with up to 28 hours of battery life for snowy movie days in or long coffee-shop work sessions side by side, along with an ultra-thin, lightweight design that’s easy to carry anywhere. Fast connectivity and built-in AI tools like Recall make it simple to download, share, and instantly pull up everything from last year’s trip photos to an old itinerary, so planning, creating, and streaming together feels effortless, wherever the day takes you.

For the Weekend Away: Galaxy Tab A11+ and Galaxy Tab S11

Sometimes the best Valentine’s plans are the simplest ones. The Galaxy Tab A11+ and Galaxy Tab S11 are perfect for winding down together on a little getaway, thanks to their large, vibrant displays, enabling immersive entertainment anywhere.  The Galaxy Tab S11 also comes with an S Pen and Galaxy AI features like Sketch to Image and Note Assist, so you can create together, sketching ideas, doodling designs, or jotting plans by hand, then using AI to turn those rough notes and drawings into polished visuals or neatly organized ideas. With Galaxy Connected Experiences, you can easily pick up where you left off across your Galaxy devices, making it seamless to plan, create, and share. Whether you’re streaming your favourite shows, planning a future trip, browsing recipes, or getting creative at home, these tablets make staying in feel special. 

All Samsung Galaxy products are available for purchase at Samsung.com/ca, with a range of options to suit every lifestyle and budget. Whether you’re celebrating romantic love, friendship, or simply treating yourself, these gifts are designed to keep the connections that matter going strong long after Valentine’s Day ends. 

As AI evolves from text-based prompts to multimodal understanding, Galaxy devices are becoming smarter — able to get what you’re looking at and respond to situations. The camera is at the heart of this transformation. More than just a tool for capturing images, coupled with enhanced AI-powered features, the Galaxy camera is now part of the intuitive interface that turns what users see into understanding and action.

When paired with the flexible, expansive screen of a foldable, this experience becomes even more powerful, dynamic and immersive.

Stay tuned. The camera will only get smarter — helping users capture life’s moments more vividly and make everyday experiences more seamless, personal and impactful.

The Ultra experience is ready to unfold.

Introduced in 2019, the first Galaxy Fold was a completely new form factor that combined the portability of a smartphone with the extensive productivity of a tablet — challenging conventional perceptions of what a smartphone could be. Driven by the bold vision that foldable phones could reconcile two seemingly conflicting demands—large screens and true portability—Samsung looked to other industries for inspiration, engineering a functional hinge and proving that smartphone displays, too, could fold. It was a synthesis of creativity and productivity that unlocked new possibilities – from seamless multitasking on the go to immersive content creation.

But smartphones are constant companions that we tuck into our pockets, use with one hand and take everywhere we go. So it’s only natural that users desire a foldable device that is as easy to carry as it is to use. To that end,  Samsung engineers and designers are refining each generation of the Galaxy Z series to be thinner, lighter and more functional than the last.

This year, that journey reaches a new milestone. The newest Galaxy Z series is the thinnest, lightest and most advanced foldable yet – meticulously crafted and built to last.

The Ultra experience is ready to unfold.

That’s why Galaxy’s next chapter is to provide an experience that seamlessly blends artistry and engineering to elevate everyday interactions.

Squeeze onto a crowded subway train for your evening commute with the device folded in hand and use voice controls to have AI find you the perfect restaurant, make a booking and text your dining companion. Finish off that unsent work email during the ride, then use the Ultra camera to commemorate your night out. AI-powered tools enable all-day messaging, browsing and gaming on the go, so you can focus on your life—all without weighing you down.

With innovative hardware, performance and seamless AI integration optimized for the foldable format, it’s everything users expect from Galaxy Ultra.

And when it unfolds, it transforms– into a more immersive entertainment hub, a spacious workspace, or a multitasking powerhouse, now enhanced by powerful Galaxy AI features designed specifically for the foldable form.

The Ultra experience is ready to unfold.

A foldable is exactly that — a folding phone. Unlike bar-type smartphones with a single body, foldables consist of a central hinge and two folding sides. The hinge serves as the central axis for opening and closing the phone, connecting two displays that can become one. Over time, Samsung has introduced unique, cutting-edge technology into the hinge mechanism of its Galaxy Z Fold series to create a revolutionary hinge design with each release. In addition, Samsung has continued to reduce the thickness of the Galaxy Z Fold series so the phone can be carried anytime, anywhere.

Samsung Newsroom looked back at the evolution of the Galaxy Z Fold series’ sleek profile and distinctive hinge design — now thinner, sturdier and compact as ever.

[2019] Galaxy Fold

The Dawn of Foldable Phones: Folding and Unfolding

Thickness when folded: 15.7-17.1mm Thickness when unfolded: 6.9-7.6mm Weight: 276g

As user lifestyles continue to diversify, so too do their needs. Samsung has consistently introduced advanced technologies each year to meet these changes. First unveiled in 2019, the Galaxy Fold featured a groundbreaking form factor — the first to deliver a natural, big-screen experience when unfolded and a compact, portable experience when folded. The act of “folding and unfolding” emerged as a new category of mobile interaction, and Samsung applied never-before-seen hinge technology to ensure this functionality felt natural and intuitive.

The inward-folding hinge not only felt familiar and easy to use, but it also provided robust display protection. The phone could be smoothly opened like a book, yet stay flat and thin when folded. The palm-sized dimensions were key to its convenience. With the first Galaxy Fold, Samsung achieved a maximum folded thickness of just 17.1 millimeters and ushered in the era of smart foldables.

[2020] Galaxy Z Fold2

The Era of Flex Mode: Hideaway Hinge and Sweeper Technology

Thickness when folded: 13.8-16.8mm Thickness when unfolded: 6.0-6.9mm Weight: 282g

In 2020, the successor to the pioneering Galaxy Fold was released. The Galaxy Z Fold2 took foldables to the next level with an all-new sophisticated and refined design. The most notable of its several innovative features was the Hideaway Hinge, which seamlessly connected the body of the smartphone while supporting stable folding and unfolding. Users could mount the Galaxy Z Fold2 at various angles with the Hideaway Hinge to easily take selfies and make video calls in Flex Mode.

The Hideaway Hinge’s more than sixty parts made the innovative dual CAM mechanism a reality. The flat surface between two ridge-shaped parts, CAM helped keep the device open or closed and enabled Flex Mode. By increasing the number of CAM structures and springs, the hinge could reliably support wider angles. The Hideaway Hinge was mounted on an optimal location on the Galaxy Z Fold2 for an even slimmer design and a maximum folded thickness of just 16.8 millimeters.

Since the hinge was constantly folded when the device was opened or closed, there was an inevitable gap between the front of the device and the hinge housing. To effectively minimize this gap, Samsung needed to develop a component that would be long-lasting and elastic without adding extra bulk. Inspired by the brush of a vacuum cleaner, Samsung made use of delicately cut optical fibers to address this issue: Sweeper Technology. Sweeper Technology protected the phone’s display from external dust and debris that could enter through the gap , providing a more fluid foldable device experience.

[2021] Galaxy Z Fold3

The Solution to the Foldable Phone’s Biggest Challenge: Waterproofing

Thickness when folded: 14.4-16.0mm Thickness when unfolded: 6.4mm Weight: 271g

It’s a given that today’s smartphones are waterproof. However, the hinge that opened and closed the screen on foldables would always be exposed to the elements. If liquids such as beverages or even rainwater leaked inside, the device would be at risk of immediate malfunction.

The Galaxy Z Fold3 was the first foldable to be water resistant, one of the biggest challenges that previous foldable devices faced. Samsung’s waterproofing technology was applied to two areas — the outer part of the display and the hinge. The outer part of the display was surrounded by a rubber band that prevented dust and liquid from entering, whereas the metal parts of the hinge were made of corrosion-resistant materials and coated with a long-lasting lubricant. The terminal connecting the two mainboards bordering the hinge was sealed with a silicone-based cured-in-place gasket (CIPG) that prevented liquid from entering the device. Additionally, flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) cables were used to protect sensitive components.

A robust material that withstands external shocks and reduces the risk of deformities or scratches, Armor Aluminum was used to help the Galaxy Z Fold3 achieve an even thinner and lighter form factor.

Armor Aluminum was applied to the two edges that make up the exterior and to the housing that surrounds the hinge. Various components were densely packed inside the Galaxy Z Fold3’s Hideaway Hinge to enable Flex Mode and ensure smooth opening and closing. To support these functions, the hinge housing needed to be made from sturdy materials.

The Sweeper Technology that closed the gap between the hinge and the body of the foldable evolved too. As the device became slimmer, the sweeper’s bristles were shortened to improve aesthetics while still keeping the hinge safe from dust and external particles. These innovations allowed the Galaxy Z Fold3 to be as thin as 16.0 millimeters when folded.

[2022] Galaxy Z Fold4

From Rotating to Linear: A Slimmer, Lighter Hinge

Thickness when folded: 14.2-15.8mm Thickness when unfolded: 6.3mm Weight: 263g

Unveiled in 2022, the Galaxy Z Fold4 saw a significant reduction in weight and thickness. At 263 grams, the device weighed nearly 20 grams less than the Galaxy Z Fold2 at 282 grams. The maximum folded thickness was 15.8 millimeters, making this foldable the thinnest in the series at the time. Once again, Samsung loaded its signature foldable with innovation — resulting in an easy-to-grip, thin and lightweight body.

Redesigned to be 21% lighter than its predecessor, the new hinge of the Galaxy Z Fold4 accommodated the wider width and shorter length of the Cover Screen. While the previous foldable in the series used interlocking gears to ensure even screen folding and unfolding, the Galaxy Z Fold4 changed the hinge motion from rotary to linear. This adjustment drastically reduced weight, thickness and the number of parts, which streamlined manufacturing and improved the device’s resilience. With the Galaxy Z Fold4, Samsung built its slimmest, lightest hinge at the time while upholding the same level of durability as the previous form factor.

[2023] Galaxy Z Fold5

Flex Hinge: The Secret to a Fully Foldable Phone

Thickness when folded: 13.4mm Thickness when unfolded: 6.1mm Weight: 253g

In 2023, the Galaxy Z Fold5 introduced the world to the next generation of foldable smartphones. Moving away from the traditional Hideaway Hinge, Samsung unveiled a new type of mechanism called the Flex Hinge — demonstrating a leap forward in foldable innovation. With improved flexibility and a wide range of features, the Flex Hinge made it possible for the display to curl into the hinge like a water droplet using four drive shafts and a dual rail structure that allowed parts to glide along it. Thanks to this hinge technology, the two screens could be evenly folded without any creases or gaps.

This new folding mechanism resulted in the lightest and thinnest Galaxy Z Fold series device yet. More than two millimeters thinner than its predecessor, the Galaxy Z Fold5’s maximum thickness is 13.4 millimeters when folded. The foldable also weighs 253 grams — 10 grams lighter than its predecessor — making it more compact, portable and stable when folded. The phone’s sleek, solid shape could be appreciated from any angle.

Each year, Samsung refines the Galaxy Z Fold series by leveraging precise engineering and meticulous manufacturing processes. Every detail is studied carefully, from internal mechanisms to exterior design. Reimagining the hinges and device thickness — core attributes of the foldable — has enhanced the utility of the Galaxy Z Fold series immensely. Samsung will continue to build on its legacy of unprecedented foldables, ensuring that more people can utilize them for an even more convenient life.

Discover the next generation of Samsung’s innovations at Galaxy Unpacked on July 10 in Paris.