Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 9 to feature under-display camera in 2027

Samsung is reportedly planning to bring back the under-display front-facing camera to its upcoming foldable flagship smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 9. According to a leak from reliable tipster kro_roe on the social network X, the new device is scheduled to be released in 2027. The insider previously accurately leaked the beta release schedule for One UI 7.

• Insayder kro_roe reports the return of the under-display camera for Galaxy Z Fold 9;
• The body thickness will be 3.9 mm when unfolded and 7.9 mm when folded;
• The technology was previously used up to Z Fold 6 before being replaced by a punch-hole in Z Fold 7 and Z Fold 8.

Evolution of Samsung foldable screens The under-display front camera technology made its debut back in 2021 with the release of the Galaxy Z Fold 3. This design without visible cutouts or notches was maintained all the way up to the Galaxy Z Fold 6 generation. However, starting with the Galaxy Z Fold 7, Samsung switched to a standard punch-hole cutout for the selfie camera, likely driven by the desire to improve photo and video quality. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra and the wide-format Galaxy Z Fold 8 released in 2026 also featured punch-hole screens.

The influence of competition and iPhone Duo The potential return of the technology might be connected to the recent release of the iPhone Duo. Apple equipped the internal screen of its foldable smartphone with an under-display front camera, setting a new benchmark. This move pressures industry leaders like Samsung to rethink their engineering strategies and reinvest in hidden sensor technology, striving to eliminate display interruptions while overcoming previous compromises in image quality.

Dimensions and internal upgrades According to the insider, the upcoming foldable model will receive major internal updates, while its overall appearance and thickness will remain virtually unchanged. The thickness of the body will measure 3.9 millimeters in the unfolded state and 7.9 millimeters when folded. At the same time, it remains unknown whether Samsung has successfully resolved the historical issue of reduced photo quality caused by light refraction through the display layer covering the under-display camera.

What this means for users and the market For the tech industry, the return of the under-display camera to the Galaxy Z Fold 9 signifies an ongoing push toward a truly uninterrupted, full-screen foldable experience. While foldable flagships remain ultra-premium niche products in regions like Central Asia and CIS markets, they heavily influence broader smartphone design trends. If Samsung successfully addresses image quality limitations, it will set a strong standard for future flexible devices.