Samsung may bring back an under-display selfie camera on the Galaxy Z Fold9’s inner screen, according to an X post cited by the report. The foldable is expected in 2027, although neither its launch timing nor its specifications have been confirmed by Samsung. A return to the technology would remove the visible punch-hole from the larger display, but it would also revive a camera-quality compromise Samsung moved away from in recent models.
The rumored Fold9 is said to have major internal changes but no dramatic redesign. No sensor resolution, image-processing details or evidence of improved under-display camera performance was provided.
Samsung previously used an under-display camera for four Fold generations before returning to a conventional cutout. The reported progression is as follows:
- Galaxy Z Fold3 (2021): Samsung’s first Fold model with an under-display camera on its folding screen.
- Galaxy Z Fold6: the last model in the four-generation under-display camera run.
- Galaxy Z Fold7 (2025): switched back to a punch-hole camera on the inner display.
- Galaxy Z Fold8: retained the punch-hole solution.
- Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra: also retained the punch-hole camera.
The trade-off is central to the rumor. An under-display sensor leaves the screen uninterrupted, but it captures light through layers of display pixels, typically reducing image quality—particularly in difficult lighting. Apple faces a similar limitation with the 4 MP inner camera on its iPhone Duo, which is positioned primarily for FaceTime video calls rather than as its best front-facing camera.
The same source also claims the Fold9 could be markedly slimmer than the current wide Galaxy Z Fold8 variant:
| Model | Thickness unfolded | Thickness folded |
|---|---|---|
| Galaxy Z Fold9 (rumored) | 3.9 mm | 7.9 mm |
| Galaxy Z Fold8 wide version | 4.5 mm | 9.7 mm |
Those figures would represent a significant reduction in thickness, making the claim difficult to square with the report’s suggestion that the Fold9’s design will remain largely unchanged. The key unanswered question is whether Samsung has improved under-display camera output enough to justify replacing the punch-hole once again.
