Best Foldable Phones 2026: Galaxy Z Fold 7 (Rumors) vs. OnePlus Open 2
"Is the crease finally gone? We analyze the latest Galaxy Z Fold 7 leaks and compare them to the reigning king, OnePlus Open 2. Durability, screen size, and multitasking tested."
Foldables Have Gone Mainstream. Now Who Is King?
January 2026. The era of foldable skepticism is officially over. What was once dismissed as a fragile gimmick for early adopters has matured into a legitimate category that now commands 15% of the premium smartphone market. Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold series pioneered the book-style foldable, but competitors have caught up — and in some cases, surpassed the original innovator. The OnePlus Open 2, launched in October 2025, currently wears the crown as the best foldable money can buy. But Samsung is preparing its counterstrike: the Galaxy Z Fold 7, expected to launch in August 2026, is already the subject of tantalizing leaks.
This guide serves two purposes: a deep-dive review of the OnePlus Open 2 for those ready to buy today, and a speculative analysis of the Z Fold 7 for those willing to wait. We'll dissect hinge mechanics, crease visibility, multitasking software, and the million-dollar question: is the crease finally, truly gone? For those comparing traditional flagship alternatives, see our Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 17 Pro Max showdown.
The Rumors: What We Know About Galaxy Z Fold 7
Samsung's next-generation foldable is shaping up to be their most ambitious engineering feat yet. According to multiple reliable sources (including supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and Korean tech outlet The Elec), the Z Fold 7 will address every criticism leveled at its predecessors. Here's what the leaks suggest:
Thinner & Lighter
The Z Fold 7 is reportedly 11.5mm thin when folded, down from the Fold 6's 12.1mm. This is achieved through a new titanium-carbon fiber composite frame and a slimmer hinge mechanism. Weight is expected to drop below 250g.
Wider Cover Screen
The front display is rumored to expand from a 6.3" aspect ratio to a more usable 6.5" 20:9 ratio, addressing the "candy bar" criticism. This alone would make the Fold 7 feel like a normal phone when closed.
40% Reduced Crease
Samsung's new "Ultra Thin Glass 3.0" (UTG 3.0) and a redesigned teardrop hinge reportedly reduce the visible crease by 40% compared to the Fold 6. It won't be invisible, but it may finally be ignorable.
IP58 Dust Resistance
After years of only water resistance (IPX8), the Z Fold 7 is expected to finally earn a full IP58 rating. This means certified protection against harmful dust ingress — a critical durability milestone for foldables.
⚠️ Note: All Z Fold 7 specifications are based on rumors and leaks as of January 2026. Official details will be confirmed at Samsung Unpacked in August 2026.
The Reigning Champion: OnePlus Open 2
While Samsung is still developing the Z Fold 7, the OnePlus Open 2 is available right now — and it's spectacular. OnePlus entered the foldable market as a newcomer but delivered a device that immediately embarrassed the competition. The Open 2 builds on that foundation with refinements that make it, in our opinion, the best foldable you can buy in January 2026.
The headline feature is the Flexion Hinge 2.0, a dual-pivot mechanism with over 400 precision-milled parts. The result? When unfolded, the OnePlus Open 2 lies completely flat — something the Z Fold 6 still struggles with. The crease is present but remarkably shallow, described by most reviewers as "barely noticeable after the first hour of use." The 7.8-inch inner display is a gorgeous LTPO 3.0 AMOLED panel with 2800 nits peak brightness, making it usable even in direct sunlight.
Software is where OnePlus truly differentiates. Open Canvas, their multitasking framework, allows you to run three full apps side-by-side with fluid drag-and-drop between them. It's a productivity powerhouse that makes tablet and laptop users reconsider their workflows. The cover screen at 6.3 inches is also more usable than Samsung's historically narrow offerings.
Samsung One UI (Z Fold)
Samsung's One UI has been optimized for foldables since the original Fold. The "Flex Mode Panel" allows apps to adapt when the phone is half-folded. Multi-Window supports up to 4 apps simultaneously. Samsung DeX mode can transform the foldable into a full desktop experience when connected to a monitor. Integration with Galaxy ecosystem (Watch, Buds, Tab) is seamless.
- ✅ Deep S Pen Integration (Notes, Markup)
- ✅ Edge Panel for Quick App Access
- ✅ Samsung DeX for Desktop Experience
OnePlus Open Canvas
Open Canvas is a revelation. It treats the inner screen as a literal canvas where you can resize, stack, and arrange apps with intuitive gestures. A two-finger swipe collapses an app into a floating window. Dragging content between apps (images, text, files) is instant and works universally. For content creators and multitaskers, it's the better experience out of the box.
- ✅ Intuitive Drag-and-Drop Everywhere
- ✅ Fluid 3-App Multitasking
- ✅ Smarter App Continuity Front-to-Inner
Durability: The Hinge & Crease Reality
Let's address the elephant in the room: foldable durability. Both devices use Ultra Thin Glass (UTG) for their inner displays, which is more durable than plastic but still softer than traditional Gorilla Glass. OnePlus Open 2 claims a 500,000 fold lifespan — equivalent to folding and unfolding 137 times per day for 10 years. Samsung has historically claimed similar numbers for the Z Fold series.
Dust resistance has been a weak point for foldables. The tiny hinge mechanism is vulnerable to particle ingress. OnePlus Open 2 has an IP54 rating (limited dust protection), while the current Z Fold 6 only has IPX8 (water resistance, no dust rating). If the Z Fold 7 truly achieves IP58 as rumored, it will be a major selling point. For outdoor adventurers, consider pairing your foldable with rugged peripherals like those in our DJI Drone Comparison.
As for the crease: it exists on both devices, and it always will with current technology. The question is degree. The OnePlus Open 2 has a shallower crease than the Z Fold 6 due to its teardrop hinge radius. If Samsung's rumors are accurate, the Z Fold 7 will close this gap significantly.
📐 UI SIMULATION / DEMO ONLY — Illustrative Visualization
Toggle the button below to simulate the crease visibility analysis between devices. This is based on reported measurements and user feedback.
Specification Comparison
| Specification | Z Fold 7 (Rumored) | OnePlus Open 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Release Date | August 2026 (Expected) | Available Now |
| Thickness (Folded) | ~11.5mm | 11.7mm |
| Weight | ~248g | 245g |
| Inner Screen Size | 7.6" Dynamic AMOLED | 7.8" LTPO AMOLED |
| Inner Screen Brightness | ~2600 nits (Expected) | 2800 nits |
| Dust Resistance | IP58 (Rumored) | IP54 |
| Starting Price | ~$1,899 (Expected) | $1,699 |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 |
Camera: Foldables Catching Up
Historically, foldables sacrificed camera quality due to space and weight constraints. The OnePlus Open 2 challenges this with a Hasselblad-tuned triple camera system (50MP main + 48MP ultrawide + 64MP 3x telephoto) that rivals traditional flagships. The unique advantage of foldables is using the main camera for selfies by folding the phone and using the cover screen as a viewfinder — resulting in dramatically better self-portraits than any front-facing camera can manage.
The Z Fold 7 is rumored to inherit the camera system from the S26 Ultra, including the 200MP main sensor. If true, this would be a major upgrade and a first for the Fold series, which has always used slightly downgraded sensors compared to Samsung's S series. For those who prioritize pure photography performance, check our OnePlus 14 vs Pixel 10 Pro camera comparison.
More From Our Reviews Lab
Final Verdict: Wait or Buy Now?
Wait for Galaxy Z Fold 7 If:
- Dust resistance (IP58) is critical for your environment
- You need S Pen support for productivity
- You're invested in Samsung's ecosystem (Watch, Tab, SmartThings)
- A wider cover screen is a must-have
- You can wait until August 2026
Buy OnePlus Open 2 Now If:
- You want the best foldable available today
- Open Canvas multitasking appeals to your workflow
- You prefer a slightly larger inner screen (7.8")
- Saving $200+ matters to you
- You don't want to wait 7+ months
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the screen warranty on foldable phones?
Samsung offers a standard 1-year warranty on Z Fold displays, with Samsung Care+ extending coverage for accidental damage. OnePlus offers a 2-year warranty on the Open 2, including one free screen replacement within the first year for manufacturing defects. Always purchase from authorized retailers to ensure full warranty coverage.
Can I use a screen protector on the inner foldable display?
Both devices come with a pre-installed screen protector on the inner UTG display. Do not remove it. Removing the factory protector voids the warranty on Samsung devices and can damage the screen. If it peels naturally, contact official support for a replacement — both brands offer this service for a fee.
Is the crease noticeable when watching videos?
In our testing, the crease is most visible when the screen is off or displaying a solid white background. During video playback, HDR content, or gaming, the crease becomes nearly invisible because your eyes focus on the dynamic content, not the surface. Most users report "forgetting" the crease exists after the first day of use.
The Bottom Line: Folding Into the Future
Foldable phones in 2026 are no longer a compromise — they're a superpower. The ability to carry a tablet-sized screen in your pocket fundamentally changes how you consume media, multitask, and create content. Whether you choose to wait for the Z Fold 7's rumored improvements or buy the excellent OnePlus Open 2 today, you're investing in the future of mobile computing.
Our recommendation? If you can wait until August 2026, the Galaxy Z Fold 7's rumored IP58 dust resistance and wider cover screen could be worth it — especially if you're a Samsung ecosystem user. But if you want the best foldable experience right now, the OnePlus Open 2 is an absolute triumph that delivers on every promise. Either way, welcome to the foldable revolution. The crease is fading. The future is unfolding.
Crease reduced by 40% compared to Fold 6.