iPhone Fold vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7: Which Foldable Phone Deserves Your Money in 2026?

Foldable phones are no longer experimental gadgets. They have become serious daily drivers for professionals, content creators, and tech enthusiasts across the UAE and beyond. Samsung has been refining its foldable lineup for over five years now. Apple is finally stepping into the ring with its first ever foldable - the iPhone Fold.

So how do these two stack up against each other? If you are deciding between the upcoming iPhone Fold and the already available Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, this comparison breaks down everything you need to know before spending your money.

Release Date and Availability

Samsung launched the Galaxy Z Fold 7 on July 25, 2025. You can walk into any major electronics store in Dubai, Sharjah, or Abu Dhabi and pick one up today. It is available across all major UAE retailers including Samsung's official store, Sharaf DG, Jumbo Electronics, Amazon.ae, and Noon.

Apple's iPhone Fold has not been officially announced yet. However, credible sources including Bloomberg's Mark Gurman and analyst Ming-Chi Kuo agree that Apple plans to release its first foldable in the fall of 2026. It will likely launch alongside the iPhone 18 lineup. Apple has reportedly entered the engineering verification stage, and Samsung Display is preparing OLED panels for mass production in Q3 2026.

Bottom line: If you want a foldable phone right now, Samsung is your only option here. If you can wait a year, Apple's offering might change the game.

Design and Build Quality

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is the thinnest and lightest Samsung foldable ever made. It measures just 4.2mm when unfolded and 8.9mm when folded. At 215 grams, it weighs less than the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Samsung uses Advanced Armor Aluminum for the frame and Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 on the cover display. The new ArmorFlex hinge uses a water droplet design that reduces visible creasing significantly.

Apple's iPhone Fold takes a different approach to materials. Reports suggest Apple will use a combination of titanium and aluminum for the frame, with Liquidmetal alloy in the hinge. This material can be twice as strong as titanium alone. Apple's biggest design goal is eliminating the screen crease entirely - something no foldable has achieved so far. A special metal plate underneath the display disperses bending stress to keep the screen virtually flat.

Both phones use a book-style fold design. When folded, each works like a regular smartphone. When opened, they reveal a tablet-sized display.

Bottom line: Samsung delivers a proven, polished design available today. Apple is pushing for a crease-free display, which could set a new industry standard - if they pull it off.

Display Comparison

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 gives you an 8.0-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X main display with 2184 x 1968 resolution and 120Hz refresh rate. Peak brightness reaches 2,600 nits. The 6.5-inch cover screen now uses a 21:9 aspect ratio, making it feel much more like a regular smartphone when folded.

Apple's iPhone Fold is expected to feature a 7.76-inch inner OLED display with 2,713 x 1,920 resolution and a 5.5-inch outer screen. Apple plans to use Samsung-made CoE (Color Filter on Encapsulation) technology. This allows the display panel to be thinner and brighter than traditional OLEDs. Both displays should support 120Hz refresh rates.

Samsung's main screen is slightly larger at 8.0 inches compared to Apple's expected 7.76 inches. However, Apple's inner display resolution is higher. The outer screen comparison leans toward Samsung as well - 6.5 inches against Apple's 5.5 inches provides a more comfortable experience when the phone stays folded.

Bottom line: Samsung wins on screen size. Apple could win on display quality and crease elimination.

Performance and Processor

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 runs on the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset built on a 3nm process. It comes with 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM (16GB on the 1TB model) and handles multitasking, gaming, and productivity without breaking a sweat.

Apple's iPhone Fold is rumored to pack the A20 Pro chip, also built on a cutting-edge 2nm process. This could deliver up to 15% faster speeds and 30% better power efficiency compared to Apple's current generation chips. RAM is expected to be 12GB.

Apple has always optimized its chips to work seamlessly with iOS. The A-series chips consistently outperform Snapdragon in single-core tasks. Samsung, on the other hand, benefits from Android's flexibility and the Snapdragon 8 Elite's strong multi-core performance.

Bottom line: Both devices sit at the top of mobile performance. Apple typically leads in efficiency, while Samsung offers more raw multitasking power with Android.

Camera System

Samsung pulled out all the stops with the Z Fold 7 camera. It now features a 200MP main sensor - a first for any foldable phone. Alongside it sits a 12MP ultra-wide lens and a 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom. The AI-powered ProVisual Engine handles noise reduction, scene analysis, and HDR processing. You also get a 10MP selfie camera on both the cover and main displays.

Apple's iPhone Fold will reportedly carry a dual rear camera setup with a 48MP main sensor and an ultra-wide lens. The inner display will use an under-display camera - hidden beneath the screen for a cleaner look. The outer display will have a punch-hole selfie camera.

Samsung clearly leads in camera hardware with that 200MP sensor and dedicated telephoto. Apple usually compensates with superior computational photography, but two rear cameras against Samsung's three is a notable gap on paper.

Bottom line: Samsung has the camera hardware advantage. Apple will rely heavily on software processing to close that gap.

Battery Life and Charging

Samsung equips the Z Fold 7 with a 4,400mAh dual-cell battery. It supports 25W wired charging, 15W wireless charging, and 4.5W reverse wireless charging. Samsung claims it lasts through a full day of heavy use.

Apple's iPhone Fold is expected to carry a larger 5,000 to 5,500mAh battery. Combined with the A20 Pro chip's 2nm efficiency and iOS power management, battery life could be a strong selling point for Apple.

Bottom line: Apple's larger battery and more efficient chip could give it an edge, but real-world testing will tell the full story once the phone launches.

Software Experience

Samsung runs One UI 8 based on Android 16. The Z Fold 7 supports up to seven major OS updates, which means software support well into the 2030s. Galaxy AI features include Audio Eraser, Photo Assist, Gemini Live integration with screen sharing, and Flex Mode for split-screen productivity.

Apple will run iOS with optimizations specifically designed for the foldable form factor. Apple has reportedly focused iOS 27 features around the foldable experience. Expect tight ecosystem integration with iPad-style multitasking, Handoff between devices, and long-term software updates.

Samsung offers more customization and flexibility. Apple offers tighter ecosystem control and simpler user experience. Your preference depends on which ecosystem you already live in.

Price Comparison

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 pricing in the UAE starts at AED 7,599 for the 256GB model. The 512GB variant costs AED 8,099, and the 1TB version goes up to AED 9,349. You can often find discounted prices through retailers and trade-in deals.

Apple's iPhone Fold pricing is not confirmed yet, but industry estimates place it between $1,799 and $2,399 - that could translate to roughly AED 6,600 to AED 8,800 depending on Apple's regional pricing strategy. As a first-generation product, expect premium pricing with limited initial stock.

Bottom line: Samsung is available now with established pricing and regular discounts. Apple will likely come in at a similar or higher price point.

Durability and Repairability

Foldable phones demand extra care. The folding mechanism, flexible display, and thinner build make them more vulnerable to damage than regular smartphones.

Samsung rates the Z Fold 7 at IP48 for dust and water resistance and certifies the hinge for 200,000 folds. Apple has not disclosed durability ratings yet, but the company's strict quality standards suggest strong hinge endurance testing.

Here is the reality: foldable screens crack, hinges wear out, and inner displays develop issues over time regardless of the brand. When that happens, you need a repair center that actually knows how to handle foldable devices.

If your Samsung Galaxy Z Fold develops screen issues, hinge problems, or battery concerns, our technicians at My Celcare JLT handle Samsung phone repairs with genuine parts and experienced hands. We have serviced Samsung devices since 2012 and understand the unique challenges foldable phones bring.

Similarly, when Apple releases the iPhone Fold, expect that repair complexity will be even higher given Apple's use of advanced materials like Liquidmetal hinges and under-display cameras. Our iPhone repair service covers everything from screen replacements to motherboard-level diagnostics. We stay ahead of the curve with training and tools for the latest Apple devices.

Quick Specs Comparison Table

Which One Should You Buy?

Last updated: February 2026 - Specifications for the iPhone Fold are based on credible leaks and analyst reports. This article will be updated once Apple officially announces the device.