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, 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, 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 Galaxy Z Fold7: 215 grams.

Galaxy Z Fold7 reached that goal. And now, building on years of foldable innovation, 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 Galaxy Z Fold5. At 201 grams, Galaxy Z Fold8 is the world’s lightest fold.[1]

Galaxy Z Fold’s weight and thickness evolution by generation, from 276 grams and 17.1 millimeters with the first Galaxy Fold to Galaxy Z Fold8 at 201 grams and 9.7 millimeters, the world’s lightest foldable, alongside Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra at 8.9 millimeters thick.

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 durability and 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 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 machined to 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 machining, and even a small change in shape can affect assembly precision or the surface quality of the display.

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

Samsung refined the machining 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, durability, 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 machined, 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 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, helping provide the strength and durability 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 Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, which has similar overall dimensions to 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.

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

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

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, 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.

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

To hear how those insights guided the engineering behind Samsung’s latest foldables, Samsung Newsroom sat down with Sunghoon Moon, Executive Vice President and Senior Executive of Mobile R&D Office – Hardware, Mobile eXperience (MX) Business at Samsung Electronics.

Q: How have seven generations of user insights shaped Samsung’s approach to the latest Galaxy Z series?

From the beginning, we saw foldables as an opportunity to redefine how people interact with their smartphones — not simply as a new form factor. Through seven generations, we’ve learned how people open, carry, unfold and rely on their devices. Those insights have shaped our engineering priorities and guided each new generation of the Galaxy Z series.

Over time, three priorities became clear: larger, more immersive displays; thinner and lighter devices without compromising durability; and ultra performance while preserving the unique advantages of the foldable form factor. Delivering all three became the defining engineering challenge behind the latest Galaxy Z series.

Q: Samsung describes foldable innovation as engineering one connected system. What does that mean in practice?

With foldables, every component is interconnected. Making a device thinner, for example, means redesigning the display, hinge, battery, thermal system and internal architecture together. Rather than optimizing individual parts separately, we engineer the entire device as one connected system. This end-to-end engineering philosophy extends from materials and component design to manufacturing, validation and the final product experience — allowing engineering advancements to become improvements people experience every day.

Samsung engineered each of the latest foldables as one connected system to bring about key improvements for users.

Q: The new Galaxy Z series introduces Flex Titanium technology. What engineering challenges did it solve?

Our goal was to make foldables thinner and lighter without compromising durability or the viewing experience. That required us to rework the display support structure protecting the ultra-thin OLED panel while preserving the flexibility needed for repeated folding.

Used in demanding industries such as aerospace, titanium offered the strength and resistance against permanent deformation essential for a foldable display. But selecting the material was only the beginning. The real challenge was developing the processing, structural design and manufacturing expertise needed to make titanium suitable for repeated folding.

Flex Titanium technology makes the display thinner and more durable while reducing crease visibility.

Flex Titanium combines two titanium-based elements. The titanium plate beneath the display serves as the primary structural support, helping absorb pressure and impacts from both the front and rear of the device. A precision-engineered lattice structure — created through a hybrid manufacturing process — allows the plate to remain flexible while maintaining structural strength. Beneath the display panel, the titanium-alloy film provides the strength, flexibility and elastic recovery needed to support repeated everyday folding, even at a thickness of just tens of micrometers — roughly one-third the thickness of a human hair.

Flex Titanium technology features an exceptionally thin titanium-alloy film and precision-engineered titanium plate.

Together, these innovations strengthened the display support structure while reducing display module thickness by 10%, creating additional space for the battery, thermal system and camera. For users, that translates into a thinner, lighter device with a flatter display and reduced crease visibility.

Q: How did Samsung reinvent the battery system for the latest Galaxy Z series?

Users expect longer battery life, faster charging and a thinner foldable — without compromising safety, stability or long-term reliability. Meeting those expectations required reengineering the battery system, not simply increasing battery capacity.

We introduced a silicon-carbon anode to improve energy density, but the innovation extends beyond the anode. Because silicon-carbon materials are more reactive, maintaining long-term stability under high-voltage conditions meant optimizing the entire battery system. Improvements to the display structure also created additional internal space, allowing us to redesign the battery system while preserving a slimmer form factor. As a result, Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra features a 5,000 mAh battery.

The same philosophy shaped charging. Rather than applying a single solution across the lineup, we developed charging architectures tailored to each foldable form factor. Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra and Galaxy Z Fold8 use a dual-path charging architecture that helps distribute power more efficiently across the battery system, enabling faster, more stable and reliable charging while improving heat management. This supports 45 W fast charging, enabling Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra to reach a 67% charge in 30 minutes. For Galaxy Z Flip8, the charging architecture was separately optimized for the unique spatial and thermal requirements of its compact form factor.

Q: To ensure foldables can withstand years of everyday use, how does Samsung validate durability before bringing a device to market?

For us, durability isn’t just about design — it must be proven through testing. We validated the complete foldable system under conditions that reflect how people use their devices. The latest Galaxy Z series was subjected to more than 100 reliability validation tests covering real-world conditions including drops, repeated folding, pressure, moisture and debris. Our goal was to understand how the complete device performs in everyday use, identify potential issues before they reach customers and build foldables people can trust.

Q: Looking back at the entire development process, how would you describe Samsung’s approach behind the Galaxy Z series?

Everything starts with the user. Over seven generations, we’ve transformed user insights into innovations in materials, components and the overall device experience. That philosophy continues to guide the Galaxy Z series — delivering foldables that are thinner, more durable, more capable and more intuitive year after year.

“Samsung’s strength in the foldable category comes from connecting user needs with our technologies that deliver tangible benefits in everyday life,” said Sunghoon Moon, EVP and Senior Executive, Mobile R&D Office – H/W, Samsung Electronics. “For the next generation of Galaxy foldables, Samsung is building on years of expertise to bring display innovations into devices that enhance user experiences, anchored by exceptional viewing experiences.”

Building on Years of Foldable Experience

Samsung has played a leading role in advancing mobile display innovation and bringing it to consumers at scale through mobile devices. This legacy includes the widespread adoption of AMOLED displays in 2007 and the evolution of displays into flexible form factors.

Innovative technologies can only reach their full potential and provide meaningful user experiences through continuous refinement in real-world conditions, and the foldable category is no exception. Across seven generations of Galaxy foldables, Samsung has listened closely to consumer feedback. This has given the company a deep understanding of what users expect from the category: a larger, more immersive viewing experience with less visible crease — without compromising durability or portability.

To meet these expectations, Samsung had to rethink how foldable displays are constructed by bringing together breakthroughs in technology, materials and mechanical engineering. The result is the latest milestone in foldable display innovation: Flex Titanium technology. By successfully integrating display innovation with device engineering, Samsung will continue to shape the direction of the mobile industry and deliver standout user experiences.

Flex Titanium: Next-Level Viewing

To create a display that provides an immersive viewing experience while maintaining its ability to withstand everyday use, Samsung took a new approach to structural design. This required a material strong enough to withstand external shock, flexible enough to endure repeated folding and thin enough to fit within a refined device structure. Balancing all three factors was essential to advancing foldable displays — and titanium offered the right mix.

Known for its resilience and strength, titanium has been used in some of the most demanding applications, including satellite antennas and the wheels of a Mars rover. While its strength makes titanium a dependable material, it also presents significant engineering challenges when applied to the thin and flexible structure of a foldable display due to its stiffness. Drawing on its expertise, Samsung has integrated titanium into two key components: a titanium-alloy film and a titanium plate.

The titanium-alloy film is a component that supports the display from within, sitting below the OLED panel. Compared with polymer film, it provides 20 times greater mechanical stiffness. A precision rolling process makes the material exceptionally thin — measuring roughly one-third the thickness of an average human hair — enabling a slimmer display panel.

Below this sits a robust titanium plate, a flexible structure that supports the display module from beneath. It allows tighter bonding with the display module by eliminating air gaps between the module and the adhesive on the plate through advanced hole processing technology. This new structure provides more stable support underneath the display when unfolded while retaining the flexibility needed to accommodate repeated folding.

Furthermore, by integrating a high-resolution architecture and next-generation organic materials, the new display delivers ultra-vivid display resolution while reducing power consumption — delivering a dramatic boost in overall power efficiency.

“By introducing sophisticated micro-patterned holes to the folding section of the titanium plate, we have successfully secured flexibility with robust durability,” said Kyung-Jin Yoo, EVP and Head of Mobile Display Product Development Team, Samsung Display. “Combining high-resolution display architecture with new organic materials that maximize power efficiency, we will further strengthen the competitiveness of next-generation Galaxy foldable devices.”

Together, these advancements enable a strong foldable display that maximizes content immersion on a seamless screen and reduces crease visibility — all while keeping it slim. By balancing strength, flexibility and structural stability, Samsung continues to set the bar for foldable displays.

The new Flex Titanium technology will debut with Samsung’s next-generation Galaxy foldable devices. Further details will be unveiled at Galaxy Unpacked.

Make sure to register and complete the form at https://samsung.com/ph/unpacked to get a ₱2,000 e-voucher and a chance to win the newest Galaxy device.

Per DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-261104, 261688 Series of 2026

As AI rapidly becomes the new user interface, it’s redefining our relationship with technology. No longer just a collection of apps and tools, the smartphone is evolving into a smart companion that understands user intent and responds in real time. This transformation moves us from reaction to anticipation – where, as AI becomes the UI, intent becomes instant.

The next-generation Galaxy devices are being reimagined around a new AI-powered interface, supported by breakthrough hardware built to unlock their full potential. This future is already unfolding, and the best of Galaxy AI and Samsung craftsmanship is about to be unveiled.

On July 9, Samsung Electronics will host Unpacked in Brooklyn, New York – a borough with an extraordinary spirit and a distinctive history. Brooklyn is where visionary thinking and bold ideas shape the future, so it’s only fitting that Samsung unveils the latest and greatest additions to the Galaxy portfolio in a place known for its culture, creativity, and collaboration. The event will be streamed live on Samsung.com, Samsung Newsroom, and Samsung’s YouTube channel beginning at 10 PM PH Time.

Stay tuned and make sure to visit https://news.samsung.com/ph/ for all upcoming teasers, trailers and updates ahead of Unpacked 2025.

Complete your registration to get a ₱5,000 e-voucher and a chance to win a Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra.

Be the first to discover the new Galaxy Foldable. Sign up now: https://www.samsung.com/ph/unpacked/

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. Because innovation means nothing without trust, privacy is built into every layer helping to ensure that data is protected at all times.

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 durable 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 durable 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 and text your dining companion. Finish off that unsent work email during the ride, then use the powerful 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 industry-leading hardware, cutting-edge performance and seamless AI integration optimized for the foldable format, it’s what users have come to 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.

Two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, hybrid work is going strong and is here to stay, as more companies are offering this set-up and employees are enjoying its benefits. Thanks to the latest innovations in mobile phones, remote work is made more efficient and is easier than ever.

Samsung made hybrid work more productive, efficient, and even stylish with the Galaxy Z Fold3 5G. When folded, it’s a premium 6.2” smartphone built for on-the-go tasks such as taking calls and answering emails. Unfolded, it reveals a powerful PC-like performance perfect for hybrid workers who relish the freedom of working anywhere. Despite its size, the device is the thinnest, most pocketable Galaxy Fold yet with a comfortable grip.

Its form factor redefined productivity: its massive screen can be shared by three apps simultaneously with its Multi-Active Window feature, so there’s no need to switch windows when multitasking. The foldable made it possible to open a spreadsheet, email, and notes all in one go.

This is complemented by the 120Hz refresh rate for both its Main and Cover screens, which guarantees a super smooth experience when switching windows, scrolling, or running apps. The Galaxy Z Fold3 5G is also the first Galaxy foldable to bring ideas to life seamlessly with the S Pen.

All these have made the Galaxy Z Fold3 5G the device of choice for Filipinos looking for the ultimate remote experience and a stylish and game-changing form factor.

Soon, Samsung will be introducing an enhanced way to unfold the world with the expansion of its foldable portfolio. Get ready to take productivity to the next level at the Galaxy Unpacked event on August 10, 2022.

Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2022: Official Trailer

Find new ways to unfold your productivity at samsung.com/ph.

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About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, digital appliances, network systems, and memory, system LSI and LED solutions. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at http://news.samsung.com.