Nearly seven years after Samsung launched the first mainstream foldable phone, a leaked hands-on video of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra shows the company has finally killed the display crease.
Supply chain source Instant Digital posted footage on Weibo of a fully working Z Fold 8 Ultra, revealing a redesigned hinge that makes the inner screen look almost completely flat. The clip shows someone opening and closing the phone, playing video, and tilting the display under direct light.
According to Android Headlines, the crease is now only visible at extreme angles under harsh lighting. During normal use, the inner panel appears as smooth as a conventional smartphone screen.
The hardware change is more than cosmetic. Leaker Ice Universe posted on X that the Z Fold 8 series has reached "the top level in the industry" for crease performance, comparable to Oppo's Find N6, which set a new benchmark earlier this year.
Ice Universe said Samsung achieved this by making the hinge's folding and unfolding action "more decisive," meaning the device won't hold at as many incremental angles as previous models. The tradeoff prioritizes a flat tablet experience over partial book-mode positions.
The Z Fold 8 Ultra is positioned as the ultra-slim flagship in a two-pronged Samsung strategy. A standard Galaxy Z Fold 8, which hasn't leaked yet, is reportedly shifting to a wider body to compete with the wide-folding designs from other brands.
Samsung is expected to announce both at its Unpacked event on July 22 in London. The timing is critical. Leaks suggest Apple is preparing a foldable iPhone Ultra with significant display technology advancements.
For Samsung, the company that essentially created the foldable phone category, being outdone by a newcomer on its first attempt would be a major embarrassment. Matching the near-creaseless display of Oppo's Find N6 and exceeding what Apple is expected to deliver gives Samsung breathing room before the iPhone Ultra arrives.
Renders from SamMobile show the Z Fold 8 Ultra in three colors: Cream, Graphite, and Violet Shadow, with a fourth Green Shadow option available as an online exclusive. The device is expected to run on a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor and continue the ultra-slim design language established by the Fold 7 last year.
Samsung's Unpacked event on July 22 will be streamed live, with the full Galaxy Z 8 lineup including the Flip 8, Fold 8, Fold 8 Ultra, Watch 9, and Watch Ultra 2 expected to debut.
