Galaxy Z Fold 9: Release Date, Thickness Leaks & Cameras

While there’s not nearly as much info available about Samsung’s next-generation foldables as there is about the Galaxy S27 series, we’ve been able to gather a few details about the Galaxy Z Fold 9 and Z Fold 9 Ultra, which are expected to follow on from the wider Galaxy Z Fold8 and taller Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra this year. So far, one leak points to a much slimmer Fold 9, another says the under-display selfie camera could return, and the latest camera rumour is one that photographers probably won’t be too pleased with.

Again, Samsung has not confirmed any of the following information, but we’ve included sources and dates for all claims. We’ve also tried to make clear what is rumoured, what is a target, and what is our estimation. This story was last checked for accuracy on November 12, 2026. For the phones you can buy today, see our Galaxy Z Fold8 camera guide.

Which foldables is Samsung planning for 2027?

In a July report ETNews claimed that Samsung will unveil four foldables next year: the Galaxy Z Fold 9, Galaxy Z Fold 9 Ultra, Galaxy Z Flip 9 and a Galaxy TriFold 2 (via 9to5Google).

Interestingly, during the same month GalaxyClub shared that it knows the following codenames related to Samsung’s upcoming foldables: H9 (Galaxy Z Fold 9), Q9A (Galaxy Z Fold 9 Ultra, tentative), B9 (Galaxy Z Flip 9), Q9B (Galaxy TriFold 2) and Z9 (a rollable tablet planned for early 2028) (via Android Authority).

ETNews also mentioned that the wide Galaxy Z Fold8 accounted for around 70% of Galaxy Z8 pre-orders in Korea. In August the outlet shared that Samsung is planning on releasing another wide-screened Galaxy Z Fold in 2027 and that it might have an aspect ratio which would be more suitable for viewing videos (compared to the 4:3 ratio of the Galaxy Z Fold8’s inner display) (via SammyGuru). It’s still unclear how this alleged model ties in with the above-mentioned codenames.

Note that some of the roundups also mention a Galaxy Z Fold 9 Pro and a Galaxy Z Slide (sliding form factor). However, those claims come from tipsters with no track record so take this information with a grain of salt. During its Q3 earnings call on October 29 Samsung confirmed that it’s currently exploring various foldable form factors, including ‘Glass’ and TriFold. The company’s goal is to make foldables thinner and lighter and to find a way to make creases less noticeable on foldable displays (via Android Authority).

Galaxy Z Fold 9 release date

Samsung hasn't announced a date. Every numbered Fold since 2021 has launched in July or August, and the last four in July.

The Fold 9 will likely land in stores about two weeks after the Galaxy Unpacked event that debuts it. We’re currently guessing that the event will take place in July 2027, but that’s just a guess. One UI 10 will most likely debut on Samsung’s 2027 foldables at launch according to SamMobile, but again, nothing has been confirmed by Samsung.

How thin will the Galaxy Z Fold 9 be?

This is the leak behind most of the Fold 9 searches. In early October, tipster kro_roe said Samsung has started work on the Fold 9 and that an early concept design aims for 3.9mm unfolded and 7.9mm folded (via SammyGuru). The Fold8 measures 4.5mm and 9.7mm, and even the taller Fold8 Ultra is 4.1mm and 9mm, so that would be a big drop.

Those dimensions are design goals, not confirmed specs, and they come from a single source. Still, a recent claim from tipster TheGalox, who has no track record (via Android Authority), claims that Samsung’s entire Z line up in 2027 will be both thinner and lighter. Additionally, back in August ZDNet Korea reported that Samsung Display is working on a new type of folding display glass called Center-etched Thin Glass or CTG. This technology would see the glass only being made thinner around the centre of the phone (where it bends) and could result in easier folding and less stress on the display. It’s rumoured that this could feature on some of Samsung’s foldables next year (via SammyGuru).

A thinner phone means less room for cameras. Samsung’s Fold phones have historically featured less zoom capability than its S Ultra phones and that’s due in part to thickness. The thinner the phone, the harder it is to incorporate periscope zoom technology. So, if the rumoured dimensions prove to be accurate, we can expect Samsung to have its work cut out.

Galaxy Z Fold 9 and Fold 9 Ultra cameras

Sadly, the latest leak isn’t too exciting. According to a tipster from Korea named Lanzuk (also known as yeux1122 on Naver), Samsung apparently won’t be changing the camera hardware on either phone (via Android Authority). Android Authority reported the leak on November 3.

• Galaxy Z Fold 9 Ultra: 200MP main camera + 50MP ultrawide + 3x telephoto (probably 10MP 3x, just like the Fold8 Ultra)
• Galaxy Z Fold 9: 50MP main camera + 50MP ultrawide, no telephoto (just like the Fold8)

This is a slight downer, because back in July a post on the Korean forum meeco.kr claimed the Fold 9 Ultra would get the S27 Ultra's 200MP ISOCELL HP6 main camera and its 50MP 5x periscope (via Notebookcheck). Lanzuk's leak is newer and Lanzuk has a much better track record, so we'd plan on no periscope.

That means the Fold 9 Ultra's cameras will be most useful from 0.6x to 3x, after which you'll be cropping from the 3x camera, while the regular Fold 9 makes do with 2x crops from its main camera. If you mostly photograph distant subjects, an S Ultra is still the better camera, and our S26 Ultra zoom guide shows how much reach the periscope adds.

Will the under-display selfie camera come back?

kro_roe additionally claims Samsung could potentially bring back the under display camera for the inner display of the Galaxy Z Fold 9 (via SammyGuru), with the leaker hinting this might already be decided. No second source backs this up, and later leaks conflict.

If the under display camera returns, image quality could suffer as a result. The Galaxy Z Fold3 through Galaxy Z Fold6 all featured a 4MP under display camera, and poor image quality was a common gripe with those models (photos came out particularly hazy and soft). The Galaxy Z Fold7 moved away from that design in favor of a more traditional 10MP punch hole camera. That said, there are ways to take selfies on the Galaxy Z Fold series phones with better image quality: unfold the phone, turn it around and use the cover screen as a viewfinder for the main cameras. This would probably yield better results than an under display camera, barring major advancements in that regard.

Charging, S Pen and price

No leak has said whether the S Pen comes back. Samsung dropped S Pen support with the Fold7 and kept it off both Fold8 models to save thickness, so if Samsung keeps slimming the Fold 9, odds are it won't return.

We don’t have any pricing leaks, but if the S27 range is getting more expensive (apparently because of memory prices), don’t expect Samsung to undercut this year’s foldables ($1,899 for the Fold8 and $2,099 for the Fold8 Ultra).

A tipster said in September that the Fold 9 and Fold 9 Ultra will support 60W wired charging (via SammyGuru), which would be an improvement over this year’s foldables’ 45W charging speeds. There aren’t any regulatory certifications for the Fold 9 line to back up this tip, but the S26 Ultra already charges at 60W and the S27 Pro and Ultra have been certified for it.

Galaxy Z Flip 9 and TriFold 2

GalaxyClub reports that Samsung's next small foldable is in development under the codename B9, which would be the Z Flip 9. That matters because Ice Universe said back in July that the Flip8 was 'likely' Samsung's last small foldable (via Android Central). The newer codename leak suggests the Flip carries on, but nothing has leaked about its specs, cameras or price.

Cameras probably won't be a major talking point with the next Z Flip anyway. Samsung kept the Z Flip7's 50MP primary and 12MP ultrawide cameras on the Z Flip8 and concentrated its efforts on new camera software features, like Horizontal Lock, as well as new cover-screen features. Our Galaxy Z Flip8 camera guide covers what the current model does well.

ETNews' list of expected Samsung devices for 2027 also includes a second-generation TriFold, which TheGalox claims will arrive ahead of Samsung's other foldables next year. Camera details are currently MIA on that one too.

Should you buy a Fold8 now or wait for the Fold 9?

If cameras are the most important feature for you, there’s probably no reason to wait. According to the latest Fold 9 Ultra leak, its cameras will remain unchanged compared to the Fold8 Ultra. So if you get a Fold8 Ultra today, its camera hardware should be the same as its successor's, and you’ll still receive multiple years of One UI updates. Besides, prices on the Fold8 will likely drop as its successor’s launch approaches.

On the other hand, if you care more about a thinner and lighter design, are interested in possibly faster 60W charging or want to check out whether there’ll be a second wide model with the purported video-friendly screen that ETNews mentioned, it might be worth waiting for Samsung’s next foldable phones. If you’re upgrading from a Fold6 or an even older model, the Fold8 Ultra already represents a significant upgrade, boasting a 200MP main camera and a 50MP ultrawide.

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