Samsung is preparing a major display upgrade for the Galaxy Z Fold 8 that could result in the fold line being far less visible than before. The buzz started after Samsung Display unveiled a nearly wrinkle-free foldable OLED panel at CES 2026.
According to industry observers, this new panel is likely for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, which is expected to launch in the second half of the year. Compared to the current Galaxy Z Fold 7, the new display reportedly improves crease depth by 20%, which could result in a noticeably smoother screen when the phone is unfolded.
How Samsung wants to narrow the gap
The main change seems to be in the way the display stack is built. Traditionally, foldable panels use a single ultra-thin glass panel (UTG) on the top cover window. A deal site report now suggests that Samsung may be experimenting with a dual UTG structure and adding another ultra-thin glass layer underneath the OLED panel.
By reinforcing both sides, the stress of repeated folding can be distributed more evenly, reducing the risk of deep wrinkles forming over time. There is also talk of improvements to the backplate, the internal support layer that sits between the OLED panel and the hinge.
Industry sources believe that Samsung Display may use laser drilling on this backplate to create microscopic holes that help distribute the stress when folding and unfolding the phone. This approach targets the exact area where wrinkles typically form, allowing the panel to bend more easily without causing permanent deformation.
Samsung is likely seriously considering this dual UTG approach for the Galaxy Z Fold 8. Although the company hasn’t confirmed final specifications yet, the technology is attractive because ultra-thin glass is relatively affordable and widely available compared to alternative materials.
Samsung’s next foldable phones may not only focus on reducing the display crease, but also refine other areas that users care about, from the overall usability on the Galaxy Z Fold 8 to the long-awaited camera upgrades on the Galaxy Z Flip 8. If Samsung adopts this setup, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 could feel like a real tablet when unfolded, with a much less visible crease, making the display look and feel more natural.
