Foldable selfie cameras have been the Achilles’ heel
For years, foldable phone photography has focused on the rear cameras and flexible displays, while selfie shooters lagged behind conventional flagships. The reasons are mostly physical: manufacturers have to juggle hinges, ultra-thin inner panels and battery space, leaving little room for large front-facing sensors or complex optics. Early book-style foldables pushed experimental under-display cameras that looked futuristic but delivered hazy, low-detail images, especially in low light. Others opted for tiny punch-holes that were easy to hide but struggled to match the quality of slab phones. For mobile content creators who live on TikTok, Instagram Stories, Zoom and Teams, that trade-off has been painful. They gained a tablet-like canvas but lost the reliable, flattering front camera they depended on. Now, leaks around the foldable iPhone camera and Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 selfie setup suggest this compromise may finally be disappearing.
Foldable iPhone Ultra: an Android-style punch-hole changes Apple’s playbook
Leaked schematics of the so-called foldable iPhone Ultra point to Apple’s first “Android-style” punch-hole selfie camera on the inner display. Instead of a notch or Dynamic Island, the sensor reportedly sits in the left corner of the unfolded screen, keeping the panel mostly uninterrupted. The documents show a slim 4.7mm chassis when unfolded and a 9.4mm profile when folded, suggesting Apple is balancing thin hardware with a substantial camera system on the back, including two 48MP sensors for main and ultra-wide shooting. Crucially, no Face ID hardware is expected on this foldable, hinting that Apple is prioritising a cleaner inner screen and a more traditional selfie experience. For iPhone users eyeing their first foldable, this new foldable iPhone camera layout could feel closer to high-end Android foldables than any previous Apple design, but with the familiar colour options of black and white on launch.
Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide: smaller cutout, smarter selfie focus
On the Android side, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide is tipped to share the same selfie camera approach as the regular Fold 8. According to leaks, both models will feature a very small 2.5mm selfie camera cutout, likely housing a 10MP sensor similar to the Fold 7’s. While the resolution may not change, the reduced cutout size suggests more careful integration with the cover screen, making the display feel less cluttered during everyday use and framing shots. What matters more for creators is that Samsung has backed away from the previous generation’s under-display camera experiments, which sacrificed clarity for a cleaner look. After returning to a standard camera layout on the Fold 7, the company now seems focused on refining the visible punch-hole before reintroducing under-display tech once image quality can compete with normal lenses, a promising sign for future Galaxy Z Fold 8 selfie performance.
Why better foldable selfies matter for vlogging, streaming and calls
As these selfie camera upgrades roll out, the practical impact for mobile content creators could be significant. A solid foldable iPhone camera on the inner display means vloggers can frame themselves on a tablet-sized screen while still shooting with a reliable front-facing sensor, simplifying one-take vertical content for TikTok or Reels. On Samsung’s side, a cleaner Galaxy Z Fold 8 selfie setup on the cover and inner displays can reduce awkward framing during on-the-go vlogging, live streams and Zoom calls. Instead of relying on rear cameras plus preview tricks, creators can trust that the front shooters are finally good enough for daily publishing. For remote workers, crisp front cameras on both the phone-like cover and tablet-like inner display will make switching between handheld calls and laptop-style desk setups far smoother, without worrying about sudden drops in image quality.
Are next-gen foldables ready to be primary devices in Malaysia?
For Malaysian mobile content creators, these changes could push foldables from niche gadgets to realistic daily drivers. A more conventional punch-hole on the foldable iPhone Ultra, plus Samsung’s refined Galaxy Z Fold 8 selfie approach, means fewer compromises when shooting in crowded cafes, LRT rides or humid outdoor markets where carrying extra cameras is impractical. Being able to film, edit and publish on a single foldable device, then instantly jump into high-quality video calls with clients or collaborators, streamlines the entire workflow. Reliable selfie camera upgrades also matter for Bahasa Melayu and English creators who rely heavily on face-to-camera monologues and live selling sessions. While final verdicts must wait for official announcements and real-world tests, the direction is clear: front-facing cameras are no longer an afterthought, and that makes next-gen foldables far more viable as primary phones in Malaysia.