Samsung could bring back one of its most distinctive foldable smartphone features with the Galaxy Z Fold 9. According to a new leak, the company is considering reintroducing an under-display selfie camera, just two years after replacing the technology with a conventional hole-punch camera on the Galaxy Z Fold 7.
The information was shared by tipster kro (@kro_roe) in a post on X, claiming that the Galaxy Z Fold 9 will feature a camera positioned beneath its foldable display. The tipster also suggested that Samsung is planning major internal changes to the upcoming device, although its overall design and thickness may remain largely unchanged.
If the information proves accurate, the move would mark a significant change in Samsung’s approach to selfie cameras on its book-style foldables. The company had previously moved away from under-display technology, reportedly because of concerns surrounding image quality.
Samsung Could Revisit Its Under-Display Camera Technology
Samsung first introduced an under-display camera on the Galaxy Z Fold 3, which arrived in August 2021. The device featured a 4-megapixel sensor positioned beneath its 7.6-inch foldable inner display, allowing users to take selfies and make video calls without a conventional camera cutout.
The company continued using the technology across the Galaxy Z Fold 4, Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Fold 6. However, that approach changed with the Galaxy Z Fold 7 in 2025.
Instead of retaining the under-display solution, Samsung switched to a conventional 10-megapixel selfie camera housed inside a hole-punch cutout. The newer Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra have reportedly continued with the same 10-megapixel camera arrangement.
The reported decision to abandon the earlier technology was linked to its image quality limitations. Under-display cameras have to capture images through the display layer, which can affect the quality of photographs compared with conventional selfie cameras.
The Galaxy Z Fold 9 could therefore represent another attempt by Samsung to balance an uninterrupted display experience with improvements to camera technology.
Galaxy Z Fold 9 May Focus on Internal Changes Rather Than Design
The latest leak suggests that the camera may not be the only area receiving attention. Samsung is reportedly planning major changes to the smartphone’s internal hardware, although specific details about the expected upgrades have not been revealed.
Interestingly, the tipster indicated that the device’s thickness and overall design may not change significantly compared with the Galaxy Z Fold 8.
This suggests that Samsung could focus more on upgrading the technology inside the device rather than introducing a completely different physical design. However, no confirmed specifications or hardware details are available at this stage.
Samsung’s Foldables Could Move Closer to Apple’s iPhone Duo
The reported camera decision also comes amid suggestions that Samsung is adjusting the dimensions of its foldable smartphones.
The same tipster had previously claimed that the Galaxy Z Fold 8 would have dimensions closer to Apple’s iPhone Duo. Apple introduced the iPhone Duo in September, featuring an under-display front camera that the company refers to as a FaceTime camera.
If Samsung continues in this direction with the Galaxy Z Fold 9, the two companies could end up adopting more similar approaches to their foldable designs and front-camera placement.
However, the similarities remain speculative, and Samsung has not officially confirmed its plans for the Galaxy Z Fold 9.
For now, the return of the under-display camera remains an early leak rather than a confirmed feature. If Samsung does bring it back, the bigger question will be whether the company has managed to address the image quality concerns that led it to abandon the technology in 2025.
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