Samsung isn’t waiting around to let Apple dominate the luxury foldable market. Fresh leaks from tech tipster kro (@kro_roe) suggest that the South Korean tech giant is pushing the boundaries of display physics on two major fronts: early concept engineering for the Galaxy Z Fold 9 and the development of an ambitious 17-inch foldable tablet.
As the hardware arms race heats up following Apple’s market entry with the rumored iPhone Duo foldable concept, Samsung appears to be redesigning its foldable lineup to emphasize extreme thinness, display integration, and versatile productivity form factors.
The Galaxy Z Fold 9: Targeting Ultra-Thin Supremacy
According to recent posts by kro, Samsung has already kicked off development on the Galaxy Z Fold 9 concept. The primary goal of this next-generation device isn’t just iterative performance—it is designed as a direct answer to Apple’s newly targeted iPhone Duo form factor.
| Key Feature / Spec | Galaxy Z Fold 9 Concept Target | iPhone Duo (Target Benchmark) |
| Unfolded Thickness | 3.9 mm | 5.2 mm |
| Folded Thickness | 7.9 mm | 11.3 mm |
| Front Camera Tech | Under-Display Camera (UDC) considered/confirmed | Touch ID Button / Hole Punch cutout |
| Market Position | Ultra-thin flagship direct competitor | Dual-screen entry flagship |
To maintain its lead in hardware engineering, Samsung is targeting a mind-boggling thickness of just 3.9mm when unfolded and 7.9mm when folded. Achieving sub-8mm folded dimensions would make the Z Fold 9 feel substantially closer to a standard slab smartphone in the pocket, eliminating one of the longest-standing complaints about book-style foldables.
In addition to the physical slim-down, Samsung is actively working on refined Under-Display Camera (UDC) technology. While previous iterations of UDC faced criticism regarding selfie quality and screen pixel density over the lens, sources suggest Samsung may have confirmed a revamped UDC solution for the Z Fold 9, bringing a truly uninterrupted inner canvas to fight the competition. For a look at Samsung’s broader hardware roadmap, check out our report on the Samsung Galaxy Unpacked leaks and specs roundup.
Expanding the Horizon: The 17-Inch Foldable Tablet
Samsung’s foldable ambitions aren’t limited to smartphones. A secondary leak confirmed that Samsung has officially started test production on a massive 17-inch foldable tablet concept.
“A 17-inch foldable tablet is currently in development. When folded, it becomes an 8-inch tablet, and when unfolded, it expands to 17 inches. Multiple versions and test devices are currently being developed.” — kro (@kro_roe)
The concept bridges the gap between compact hand-held tablets and desktop-grade portable workstations:
Compact 8-Inch Folded Mode: Works as an easy-to-hold single-hand tablet for reading, quick note-taking, or standard media consumption.
Massive 17-Inch Unfolded Canvas: Opens into a full-sized display larger than most high-end laptops, catering to digital artists, multi-window power users, and mobile professionals.
Samsung is testing multiple prototype iterations behind closed doors to figure out structural integrity, hinge strength, and weight distribution before committing to a commercial release timeline.
What This Means for the Foldable Market
Samsung’s aggressive push toward ultra-thin engineering and flexible large-format displays demonstrates a clear commitment to defending its market share. With competing brands pushing the limits of slim hinge designs—such as the profile detailed in the Galaxy Z Flip 8 ultra-thin design leak—a 7.9mm folded profile for the Galaxy Z Fold 9 would mark a historic leap forward for the industry.
