Samsung might consider a downgrade for the Galaxy Z Fold 8

Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold series does not come cheap. The company’s latest foldable, the Galaxy Z Fold 7, costs $2,000. That’s a lot of money. But Samsung boasts premium materials like a titanium backplate that supports the foldable display. However, that might change in 2026. According to the rumors, Samsung could downgrade the Galaxy Z Fold 8.

Galaxy Z Fold 8 could see a downgrade in materials

Like we said, one of the features of the Fold 7 is the use of a titanium backplate to help support the display of the phone. This is the same material Samsung used in the Galaxy Z Fold SE. However, Korean publication, The Elec, claims that Samsung might downgrade the material for the Galaxy Z Fold 8.

The company is now rumored to be considering the use of a carbon fiber-reinforced plastic backplate for the Fold 8. For context, this is the same material Samsung has been using in the Galaxy Z Fold 3 until the Fold SE/Fold 7. If you owned any of the previous models and were fine with it, then it’s not a big deal.

However, if you’re thinking of hopping on the bandwagon, it could be something to think about. Samsung, along with other handset makers, have worked hard to improve the durability of foldable phones over the years. The versions we see today are a vast improvement from the first-gen models.

However, given how much the phone costs, it feels like a downgrade.

Why change the materials

So, you might be wondering why Samsung could be considering reverting back to carbon fiber-reinforced plastic? According to the report, it seems it’s hard for Samsung to obtain titanium from its Chinese suppliers. This is apparently due to the ongoing US-China trade war. This means that obtaining carbon fiber-reinforced plastic is more feasible.

Also, while the report doesn’t mention it, titanium is a difficult material to work with. While it is stronger than aluminum, it is more brittle. Plus, it costs more. This is allegedly one of the reasons Apple has decided to switch back to alumium for its iPhone 17 models, despite using titanium in the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16.

Either way, take it with a grain of salt for now. We’re still a long way away from the Fold 8’s launch so things could always change.