Samsung’s brand-new Galaxy Z Fold 7 hasn’t even left the pre-order period. And yet, a new report from Korea is already exploring the company’s alleged intentions for the Galaxy Z Fold 8, which may go on sale in precisely one year. Worse yet, Samsung is reportedly considering a downgrade already.
As you may have heard, the new Galaxy Z Fold 7, like the Galaxy Z Fold SE, has a titanium backplate that supports the foldable display. It offers greater structural rigidity than the materials used in previous models. However, Samsung may already be thinking of replacing the backplate for next year’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 with an inferior one.
According to a new report from The Elec, Samsung may go back to using a carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) backplate for the Galaxy Z Fold 8. The CFRP backplate was introduced by the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and remained in use until this year. The original Fold models had a stainless steel backplate.
Samsung has to play by the world economy’s rules
Why would Samsung consider this downgrade after all it went through to upgrade the Galaxy Z Fold 7? Scarcity of materials. As per the report, it’s harder to obtain titanium from Chinese suppliers than it is to use CFRP, and the supply of titanium may become problematic depending on how the US-China trade dispute unfolds — no pun intended.
In other words, if the Galaxy Z Fold 8 won’t have a titanium backplate, this result might have less to do with Samsung’s own desires and engineering goals and more with the global economy and global politics.
The use of titanium has contributed to the Galaxy Z Fold 7’s thinness and rigidity. Now, there is a chance, albeit small, that the Galaxy Z Fold 8 could lose that edge.
Of course, it’s too early to tell how things will develop, but Samsung may have to make a decision for the future of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 relatively soon. New phones enter mass production months before they are released, so even though the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is brand-new, Samsung is likely already laying down the foundations of the 2026 sequel.
Buy the ultra-thin Galaxy Z Fold 7 early for bonuses
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