Home IFTTT Pocket-lint Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2: Rumours, release date and everything we know so far

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2: Rumours, release date and everything we know so far

July 30, 2020

Samsung launched its second folding phone - the Galaxy Z Flip - on 11 February, but what of the update to Samsung's first folding phone, the Galaxy Fold? 

Rumours are regularly appearing about an update to the Galaxy Fold - which we think will be called the Galaxy Z Fold 2 5G. It's also been referred to as Project Champ and Winner 2, so there are plenty of monikers in play and there could be a number of different versions. We believe the Z Fold 2 will have the model number SM-F916.

Here's what we've heard about the Galaxy Z Fold 2 so far.

Release date and price

  • 5 August launch
  • September availability expected

The Galaxy Fold was originally unveiled at Mobile World Congress but Samsung has all but confirmed that its successor will launch alongside the Note 20 series on 5 August 2020 at an online event. Availability is expected to start from September. 

As for the pricing, guide pricing has been suggested as $1780-1980, looking to make it a little cheaper than the original Fold. There has also been talk of a Z Fold 'e' and Fold Special Edition, priced around $1100, which might present and entry-level offering rather than the premium we're expecting from the Z Fold 2 - although it's been suggested that Samsung is holding this until 2021.

collection: Galaxy Z Fold 2

Design

  • Stainless steel frame, ceramic option
  • Bronze or black colours
  • Waterproofing design measures suggested

We're expecting Samsung to stick to the book-style vertical fold like the original Galaxy Fold. Leaks early on speculated on the inclusion of the S Pen, although it's thought that this isn't going to happen because the display surface can't withstand the pressure of the stylus, as it can in the Galaxy Note devices.

Rumours from Max Weinbach suggest that there will be a stainless steel and ceramic version, we're assuming that there will be regular aluminium versions too, just to keep the price under control. Early leaks suggested it will come in blue, silver, gold, pink and black colours, although that's now distilled to just Mystic Bronze and Mystic Black.

The Galaxy Z Fold 2 is thought to use a punch hole camera with a 4.8mm hole and that the bezels have been reduced to 3.8mm, so it's likely to have an improved look over the previous model.

In late May 2020, a patent was filed showing Samsung's intent to waterproof a future folding phone, we hoping that the Z Fold 2 will come with an IP rating.

Display and hardware 

  • Infinity-V 7.7-inch AMOLED display with UTG expected
  • 4.23-inch AMOLED external display
  • Snapdragon 865 Plus + 5G?

It's thought that the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 will come with a 7.7-inch display, bigger than the original 7.2-inch. The 7.7-inch size has been mentioned many times, along with the Infinity-V name. With a 120Hz refresh rate on the Galaxy S20 series, it looks like the Fold 2 will have 120Hz too.

When Samsung launched the Galaxy Z Flip, one of the interesting points was that Samsung has used what it is calling Ultra Thin Glass to protect the display. This is still flexible, but should be more resistant to damage than plastic, although it appears that it's still covered with a plastic layer on the top. It's been said that Samsung has ordered supplies for the UTG, but it's still developing the technology for future products.

The external display was one of the negative aspects of the original Fold. The suggestion of a 6.23-inch display that fills the exterior will be welcomed, adding to the usability of this phone when it's closed. An official-looking marketing photo leak supports this rumour with an exterior display that extends to the edge of the device at the bottom. It's said the exterior display will be 60Hz.

Talk of an entry-level Fold 'e' model has hinted at a model with no external display to reduce the price.

On the hardware front there have been few leaks. We'd expect Samsung to use flagship-grade hardware, perhaps the recently-announced Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 Plus and keep this as a 5G phone. It's thought that the Fold 2 will start at 256GB storage with 512GB as an option. The battery is said to have a combined capacity of 4365mAh. 

Cameras 

  • Similar camera load-out as Galaxy S20
  • Punch hole front camera

The original Galaxy Fold had a lot of cameras, but it's clear that Samsung needs to reduce the front camera notch in the display.

There have been several different reports regarding the camera. One reliable leaker suggested that the Galaxy Z Fold 2 will have the same rear camera setup as the Galaxy S20+. That would see a 12-megapixel main camera, 64-megapixel 30x zoom camera and 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera, along with a DepthVision sensor.

Another report from ET News suggested there would be a triple rear camera with the same setup as the Galaxy S20, meaning no depth sensor.

There's also been talk of a 16-megapixel ultra-wide camera instead, so it's still a little up in the air.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 rumours: What's happened so far? 

Here are all the rumours and leaks that have appeared so far.

29 July 2020: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 leaks out: Hole punch, bigger screen revealed

Images of the next-gen Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 have leaked, showing a much more exciting design.

20 July 2020: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 photo leak hints at larger external display

Reliable leaker Universe Ice tweeted a blurry photo of the Galaxy Z Fold 2 showing what looks like Samsung's official marketing material for the device. The image shows a larger external display and a copper finish. 

20 July 2020: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 will be revealed on 5 August 

Samsung sent out a tweet from its official Twitter account teasing the reveal of a folding device. The tweet read: "A new look unfolds. 05.08.2020". There was also a video showing a copper ball folding out into a butterfly.

14 July 2020: Spec leak suggests different camera setup

A report published on ET News, spotted by Sammobile, offers a rundown of some of the specs for the Galaxy Z Fold 2, inlcuding the same triple camera as the Galaxy S20 and a combined battery capacity of 4365mAh. 

13 July 2020: Maybe a later launch?

According to an established Samsung leaker the Fold 2 may launch later than the Unpacked event - Max Weinbach says he is "100% sure they won't release it" while saying it's also unlikely they will even talk about it. So maybe we're looking at a September or October launch for the Fold 2. 

8 July 2020: Galaxy Unpacked event announced: Is Samsung teasing a copper Note 20?

Samsung confirmed it would hold its next Galaxy Unpacked event on 5 August at 10AM ET. The Galaxy Note 20 series is expected to be revealed, along with the Galaxy Z Fold 2.

6 July 2020: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 tipped to be the name of Samsung's next folding phone

New information suggests that Samsung will be using the Galazy Z name for all its folding devices.

29 June 2020: Entry-level Galaxy Fold model not expected until 2021

Korean media has reported that Samsung will not be launching the rumoured entry-level Fold model until 2021.

25 June 2020: Samsung Galaxy Fold 2 leaks out: Render shows notchless display, hole punch

A reliable leaker shares an image showing what we might expect from the Galaxy Fold 2, with a punch hole display.

21 June 2020: Display specs reinforced by established leaker

11 June 2020: More specs and details for the Fold 2 appear

Korean media discuss the display changes on the Fold 2.

9 June 2020: Samsung expected to use UTG on Fold 2 display

Supply chain sources suggest that Samsung will be using ultra-thin glass on the Galaxy Fold 2, with agreements with Schott and Corning.

8 June 2020: Samsung Galaxy Unpacked date rumoured

It has been suggested that Samsung's Galaxy Packed Online will take place on 5 August, seeing the launch of the Galaxy Fold 2 and the Galaxy Note 20.

26 May 2020: 'Notification display' and waterproofing

A two-in-one news day, with patents filed for both waterproof design measures in a future folding phone, plus further information about how a notification display could be actioned.

12 May 2020: Rumours suggest a brown colour for the Fold

SamMobile has suggested that the Fold 2 will be available in black and brown colours.

11 May 2020: Rumours of a cheaper Galaxy Fold model continue to circulate

We first heard that Samsung would be selling a Fold Special Edition at $1099 from Ross Young, now Max Weinberg is talking about another $1100 Galaxy Fold, which could be very much the same thing - a way for Samsung to sell older components to clear out stock before the full Fold 2 refresh.

28 April 2020: New Samsung Galaxy Fold 2 leaks suggest new cameras and lower pricing

More leaks have emerged suggesting that the Fold 2 will have superior cameras to its predecessor, as well as a slightly cut-down price.

27 April 2020: Prices are suggested for the new Galaxy Fold

There's a lot of leaks coming from Ross Young on Twitter, including a suggestion of the price.

26 March 2020: New renders show what the Samsung Galaxy Fold 2 could look like

Having seen one set of speculative renders, we now have another set, giving us an idea of what the Samsung Galaxy Fold 2 might look like.

17 February 2020: Concept images give us an idea of what the Fold 2 might look like

Ben Geskin has drawn up concept images based on rumours giving us a picture of what to expect from the Samsung Galaxy Fold 2.

17 February 2020: Samsung Galaxy Fold 2 could feature under-display camera

Korean sources have suggested that Samsung is going to be using under-display camera technology in the forthcoming Galaxy Fold 2, while a reliable Samsung leaker provided a range of potential detials.

5 February 2020: Samsung Galaxy Fold 2 codename revealed as Winner 2, confirms direct replacement for Fold

A leak suggests that the next Galaxy Fold is codenamed Winner 2 and that it will be a direct replacement for the Galaxy Fold.

29 January 2020: A couple of display details appear for Galaxy Fold 2 

A couple of details drop into a conversation from Ross Young, founder of DisplaySearch, on Twitter.

27 January 2020: Samsung Galaxy Fold 2 could feature 108MP camera, 5G and S Pen support, launch in Q2

Details about the Fold 2 shared by Max Weinbach on Twitter, giving us some of the first information about the Fold update.

6 December 2019: Samsung Galaxy Fold 2 could come with 108-megapixel camera

Bloomberg reported a handful of specs for the Galaxy S20 and the Galaxy Fold - including that it could have a 108-megapixel sensor.

18 October 2019: Samsung has a new plan for the screen for Galaxy Fold 2

Samsung is said to be planning to use ultra thin glass as protection for folding phones.  

6 October 2019: Samsung patents reveal folding phone with S Pen

LetsGoDigital uncovered a Samsung patent relating to folding phone and S Pen, suggesting that an updated Galaxy Fold could support the S Pen, a little like a Note replacement. 

26 June 2019: Second-gen Samsung foldable to have S Pen and 8-inch display

A report from Korean news site The Elec, suggested that a second-gen Galaxy Fold would add support for the S Pen and have a larger display.



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