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| Galaxy Z Fold 8 to use new tech for a smaller selfie camera cutout. |
After years of incremental tweaks, Samsung’s next foldable might finally nail the cover screen experience. But don’t hold your breath for an invisible camera just yet.
If there’s one thing that’s quietly irritated power users about Samsung’s otherwise excellent Z Fold series, it’s the cover display’s selfie cutout. It’s not huge by 2026 standards – but it’s there, a tiny black dot reminding you that the front camera exists. Now, renowned industry leaker Ice Universe claims Samsung has finally done something about it.
According to newly surfaced renders and technical details, the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold8 will shrink that front-facing punch-hole from 3.7mm (on the Z Fold7) down to just 2.5mm. That’s a 32% reduction in diameter. In real-world terms, it means the hole becomes small enough that your brain will likely tune it out entirely while you’re scrolling, reading, or replying to messages on that tall cover screen.
The leaked comparison images – which Ice Universe posted alongside the technical breakdown – show the Z Fold7 (top) and Z Fold8 (bottom) side by side. The difference is immediately noticeable. The Fold8’s cutout looks almost like a stray pixel rather than a camera lens. Samsung reportedly achieved this using “a new technology” in display integration, though the leaker stopped short of naming the exact method. Speculation among display analysts points to a redesigned lens barrel and a more efficient driver circuit that sits partially under the active area.
👉 See the original leak and renders here: Ice Universe’s official post on X
But here’s the part that might disappoint some fans: Samsung is still not moving to an under-display camera (UDC) on the cover screen. While the company has quietly refined the internal under-display selfie camera for the main folding display (to the point where it’s nearly invisible in most lighting), the outer display remains a traditional punch-hole design. Just a much, much smaller one.
Why not just go full UDC on the cover screen?
The answer is simple: image quality. Under-display cameras, despite leaps forward since the Galaxy Z Fold3’s grainy days, still sacrifice sharpness and low-light performance. The cover screen is where most people take quick selfies, join video calls, and unlock their phone with facial recognition. Samsung clearly believes that a 2.5mm punch-hole is an acceptable trade-off for a camera that actually looks good.
On the massive 8-inch inner display, however, the calculus is different. That screen is for media consumption, multitasking, and gaming – so hiding the camera at all costs is a priority. The Fold8 is expected to keep an under-display camera on the inside, and if Samsung applies the same 2.5mm “new tech” to that UDC’s cutout area, the interruption could become almost imperceptible. For now, Ice Universe’s leak only confirms the cover screen change. The inner camera’s size remains unconfirmed, but it’s reasonable to expect at least a modest improvement.
The bigger picture: Galaxy Z Fold8 Wide and launch timeline
The smaller punch-hole isn’t the only news swirling around Samsung’s 2026 foldable lineup. The same leak cycle has brought fresh details about a long-rumored variant: the Galaxy Z Fold8 “Wide.” According to earlier reports, this model will feature a noticeably broader cover display (closer to a traditional smartphone aspect ratio) and slightly different dimensions – think of it as Samsung’s answer to the Google Pixel Fold’s form factor. Full size specifications for the Fold8 Wide were leaked just days ago, suggesting Samsung is preparing two distinct foldable flagships this summer.
As for release dates, history repeats itself. The Galaxy Z Fold8 and its “Wide” sibling are expected to debut in July or August 2026, following Samsung’s usual Unpacked cadence. That gives the company roughly three to four months to finalize production. If the 2.5mm punch-hole is already appearing in renders, the hardware is likely locked in.
Why this matters more than you think
A smaller camera cutout might sound like a minor spec bump. But the cover screen of a foldable is your primary interface when the device is closed. You use it for quick tasks hundreds of times a day. Every millimeter of lost screen real estate matters – especially as Samsung pushes the cover display’s aspect ratio taller and narrower. Shrinking the punch-hole by over 30% isn’t just cosmetic. It improves one-handed reach, reduces distraction, and makes the external screen feel more like a continuous slab of glass.
In a year where rivals like OnePlus, Xiaomi, and even Apple’s rumored foldable are raising the bar, Samsung needs these tiny but tangible refinements. The Z Fold7 was already a mature product. The Z Fold8, with its nearly invisible front cutout and potentially two size options, could be the first foldable that truly feels like a no-compromise daily driver.
What we still don’t know
- Inner display camera size: Will the UDC also shrink? Ice Universe’s leak doesn’t specify.
- Price: No word yet on whether the Fold8 Wide will cost more than the standard model.
- Processor regions: Exynos vs Snapdragon remains an open question for non-US markets.
One thing is clear: Samsung is betting on evolutionary perfection rather than revolutionary gimmicks. And with a 2.5mm punch-hole, they might have finally found the sweet spot between camera quality and screen immersion.
Source: Ice Universe via X (formerly Twitter)
Stay tuned for more leaks as we approach Samsung’s summer Unpacked event. The foldable war is just getting interesting.
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| Renders: Galaxy Z Fold7 (top) vs Galaxy Z Fold8 bottom. |