The Galaxy Z Fold 8 may arrive featuring a significantly improved camera.

      Samsung

      The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 may replace its under-display camera (UDC) with a conventional pinhole camera, as suggested by renowned tipster yeux1122. Samsung has favored under-display technology for some time, exclusively using it in the Galaxy Z Fold series. Although UDCs offer a seamless design, their image quality pales in comparison to that of dedicated cameras.

      Yeux1122 posted this information on Naver, a Korean blogging site, indicating that UDCs might not be as cost-effective as other options. In light of the current economic situation, he mentioned that Apple has delayed adopting this technology in its devices, while Samsung's Galaxy division "is also following a similar trend." Cost considerations are a factor, but there are reports that Samsung faces challenges in enhancing the technical quality of the camera as well.

      The anticipated Galaxy Z Fold 7 is set to be released this summer and will feature an under-display camera, yet future iterations could resemble the Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition, which employs a pinhole camera.

      Under-display cameras are implemented to create a more refined look for the device, but they cannot capture images at the same resolution as other camera types. The screen pixels positioned above the camera hinder sufficient light from passing through and can distort light as well. Consequently, images often exhibit less color accuracy due to these obstructions and the potential for color shifts.

      However, there is no need to worry; if Samsung eliminates the under-display camera, the selfie and primary cameras will still be available. Removing UDCs could lower costs and enable Samsung to keep the Galaxy Z Fold 8 more affordable. Ultimately, the UDC is not the phone's primary selling point.

      While losing a feature—even one that isn't heavily utilized—is disappointing, this change could allow Samsung to enhance the other cameras on the device, resulting in a significantly better product.

      Patrick Hearn covers smart home technology, including Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, smart light bulbs, and more. If it’s a…

      Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra may introduce impressive camera enhancements worth the wait

      The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is among the most advanced smartphone cameras available, provided your search is confined to the US. It performs exceptionally well; however, the pace of camera advancements has somewhat slowed, particularly with competitors like the Xiaomi 15 Ultra raising the bar. Next year, Samsung's fortunes might finally change.

      A recent leak suggests that Samsung is preparing several significant upgrades for the imaging hardware of the Galaxy S26 Ultra. Instead of the 10-megapixel short-range telephoto camera featured in the Galaxy S25 Ultra, the next model is reportedly set to include a larger 50-megapixel sensor.

      Additionally, the optical zoom range may improve, increasing from 3x to 3.5x zoom. For long-range photography, the periscope-style telephoto camera might also advance from a 5x to an 8x optical zoom range, along with a wider aperture. As is customary, optical image stabilization will be incorporated across both the primary and zoom cameras.

      The main camera of the Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to maintain a 200-megapixel configuration, with a similar 1/1.3-inch sensor format and a 0.6-micron pixel size. However, it may reintroduce an innovative aperture feature that Samsung launched years ago.

      Reintroducing the variable aperture

      Samsung first introduced the variable aperture system with the Galaxy S9 Plus in 2018, which allowed the main sensor to switch between f/1.5 and f/2.4. The Galaxy S26 Ultra might bring back this variable aperture functionality, potentially in a more advanced form.

      The Oppo Find N5 should have been the OnePlus Open 2, here's why

      Phone manufacturers rarely capture our attention repeatedly, but Oppo and OnePlus have managed to do so with their folding smartphones. The OnePlus Open, which is OnePlus’s debut foldable device based on the Oppo Find N3, has been broadly acknowledged as the best folding phone since its release in October 2023.

      The anticipated successor was meant to be the Oppo Find N5. After using Oppo's latest folding phone for the past month, it's become my favorite. It significantly surpasses the OnePlus Open in terms of experience, but there's one drawback: it's not available for purchase.

      Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 size upgrade hinted at in recent leak

      The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 is almost certainly on its way, and a recent leak may have disclosed some important details. The latest iteration of Samsung's flip phone could see an increase in size compared to the current Flip 6 model.