The next Samsung Galaxy Z Fold will be lighter and thinner than the Z Fold2 thanks to display and hinge refinements; Z Fold3 Pro a possibility too

Samsung has big plans for its Galaxy Z series this year, according to a new report. Apparently, we may see two Galaxy Z Fold models this year, which @FrontTron has referred to as the Z Fold 3 and the Z Fold 3 Pro. We would not surprised if Samsung continues not to leave a space between the series name and the model number though, which would leave those names as the Z Fold3 and the Z Fold3 Pro.

It is unclear how Samsung would distinguish the Z Fold3 from the Z Fold3 Pro, though. The Z Fold2 is expensive enough as it is, so we cannot see how Samsung could justify even more for a Pro model. However, Samsung has supposedly shaved a few grammes off its flagship foldable smartphone this year. According to the same report, the next Z Fold will come in at under 250 g, which would make it over 10% lighter than the Z Fold2.

Conversely, a 250 g Z Fold3 or Z Fold3 Pro would still be noticeably heavier than the S21 Ultra and Note 20 Ultra. The report alleges that Samsung has achieved this weight reduction with a revised hinge design, although it does not specify how.

The new hinge design will also allow the next Z Fold to be thinner than the current model, which will be complemented by a thinner display This new display reputedly has new a built-in polarizer and may be one of the first with an under-display camera, as we discussed previously. Similarly, this year's Z Fold is expected to support Samsung's S-Pen, which may indicate the use of ultra-thin glass (UTG) too.

Overall, the next Z Fold is shaping up to feature notable display improvements over the current model, just as the Z Fold2 did compared to the Galaxy Fold. We would expect Samsung to release the next Z Fold in early Q3 2021, if the Galaxy Z Fold 2's release is anything to go by.

Purchase the Galaxy Z Fold2 on Amazon