Why the Next Foldables Are All About the Camera
Foldable phone camera design is moving from afterthought to headline feature. The next generation of devices from Samsung and Apple shows two different paths toward the same goal: making these large, flexible screens genuinely better tools for photography and video. On Samsung’s side, the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 8 camera changes are subtle but important, focusing on shrinking the selfie cutout to free up more usable display. Apple, by contrast, is reportedly shaping its first foldable iPhone around a dedicated Camera Control button, even in an ultra-thin chassis. For everyday shooters, this shift means foldables are no longer just about multitasking or big-screen streaming. They’re being engineered so you can frame, control, and capture shots more comfortably, from vlogs to group selfies. As these designs mature, the old assumption that serious mobile photography belongs only on slab phones is starting to look outdated.
Galaxy Z Fold 8: Smaller Camera Hole, Bigger Viewfinder
Leaks suggest the Galaxy Z Fold 8 will feature a significantly smaller front camera cutout on its display, shrinking the hole to 2.5mm from 3.7mm on the Galaxy Z Fold 7. Samsung is said to be using new technology to achieve this reduction in the front camera cutout, at least on the cover display. For mobile photographers, that seemingly tiny change matters. A smaller punch hole means a cleaner, less obstructed viewfinder when you’re composing shots on the outer screen, especially for selfies, casual vlogging, and quick street moments. It also hints at Samsung’s continued push toward less intrusive front-facing cameras, which could eventually blend more seamlessly into the screen. While the overall design of the Fold 8 is expected to remain similar, the refinement underscores Samsung’s philosophy: iterate on hardware details that directly influence how comfortably you can shoot, preview, and edit your photos on a tall, book-style foldable.
Foldable iPhone: Camera Control at the Heart of the Design
Apple’s first foldable iPhone is rumored to take a more radical approach: centering the experience around camera control features instead of just screen size. A dedicated Camera Control button is reportedly locked in, even though the device is said to be at least 1.1mm thinner than the iPhone Air when unfolded. Apple has reportedly sacrificed valuable internal space to keep this button, betting that foldable ergonomics make conventional on-screen controls feel cumbersome on such a large device. The idea is to let you adjust settings and capture photos one-handed while maintaining a stable grip, even with the 7.8-inch inner display open. The phone is expected to ship with wide and ultra-wide lenses similar to an iPhone 17-class setup, skipping a telephoto at launch. This combination of slim hardware and physical camera control signals a clear intent: make the foldable iPhone camera feel like a purpose-built shooting tool, not just an oversized iPhone.
Two Camera Philosophies: Subtle Refinements vs. Shooting Ergonomics
Samsung and Apple are approaching foldable phone camera design from different angles. Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 camera changes are all about refining the viewfinder: shrinking the front camera hole to maximize display real estate without fundamentally altering how you shoot. It’s an iterative, hardware-centric approach that favors a familiar camera experience with a gradually less distracting screen. Apple’s rumored foldable iPhone camera strategy is more behavioral. By building in a dedicated Camera Control button and accepting internal compromises to keep the device ultra-thin, Apple is focusing on how your hand actually interacts with a large folding screen. Instead of only optimizing image quality, it’s trying to make framing, zooming, and firing the shutter easier during real-world use. For creators and everyday shooters, this sets up a clear choice: a more traditional camera UI on a refined foldable display, or a foldable that rethinks physical controls to prioritize shooting ergonomics from day one.
What This Means for Everyday Shooting and What to Watch For
As foldable phone camera design improves, these devices become more viable as your main camera phone—but there are trade-offs. Better camera placement and smaller punch holes make it easier to use the cover screen as a clean viewfinder for vlogging, quick group selfies, or discrete street photography without a floating black dot in your frame. A physical Camera Control button could transform low-angle or one-handed shots, letting you hold the device securely while adjusting exposure or switching lenses. However, photographers should weigh durability (hinges and moving parts), potential limitations in lens modules inside ultra-thin bodies, and how image processing compares with top slab phones. Look for improvements in stabilization, night mode, and how well each device handles skin tones and detail. With Samsung polishing hardware and Apple reimagining camera control features, the gap between foldables and traditional flagships is closing—and the next wave could finally make a foldable the smarter choice for mobile photography enthusiasts.