Appleâs first foldable has given Samsung its most important competition in years. The iPhone Duo does not get everything right, but it makes several choices that expose weaknesses in the Galaxy Z Fold 8 (and even the Fold 8 Ultra).Samsung may already have finalized many of the Galaxy Z Fold 9âs hardware decisions. However, Appleâs entry could still influence Samsungâs priorities, software development, and future foldables.Here are five ways the iPhone Duo could ultimately make the Galaxy Z Fold 9 better.1. Flex Mode could make a comebackSamsung pioneered Flex Mode, allowing foldable phones to remain open at different angles. Apps could place content on one half of the screen and controls on the other, while users could also place the phone on a surface for hands-free photos and video calls.However, the standard Galaxy Z Fold 8 does not support Flex Mode. Its hinge can hold the phone at certain angles, but it eventually forces the device fully open or closed. The Fold 8 Ultra retains full Flex Mode support. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra | Source: Abhijeet Mishra / SamMobile The iPhone Duo has an equivalent feature, which Apple calls Hip Hinge. This makes Samsungâs decision to omit Flex Mode from the Fold 8 look even stranger.Samsung may have prioritized a smoother opening mechanism for the Fold 8, but Appleâs implementation should pressure it to find a better balance. Flex Mode should return with the Galaxy Z Fold 9.2. S Pen support may become a priority again Galaxy Z Fold 8 | Source: Abhijeet Mishra / SamMobile The Galaxy Z Fold series once appeared to be the perfect successor to the Galaxy Note lineup. Its large foldable display provided considerably more room for drawing, writing, and marking up documents.Samsung removed S Pen support with the Galaxy Z Fold 7, reportedly as part of its efforts to make the device thinner and lighter. The Fold 8 also lacks stylus support.Meanwhile, Apple has given the iPhone Duo Apple Pencil support. That leaves Samsung in the awkward position of offering no stylus support on its standard foldable despite pioneering pen input on smartphones.The Galaxy Z Fold 9 does not need a built-in S Pen slot. Just adding support for the S Pen would be enough to make the large foldable display more useful.3. Samsung could consider a matte foldable display Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 | Source: Abhijeet Mishra / SamMobile The Galaxy Z Fold 8âs crease is difficult to see when looking directly at the screen. However, it becomes more noticeable when light reflects across the middle of the display and at some viewing angles.Apple has used what it calls a nano-texture finish on the iPhone Duo to address this problem. Its matte surface reduces reflections and helps conceal the crease under bright lighting.But this is not automatically a better solution. The nano-texture finish slightly reduces perceived contrast and can give the display a hazy appearance when viewed from an angle. Some users, as we have seen on social media, prefer the clearer and more vibrant appearance of Samsungâs glossy foldable display, even if it produces more reflections.Samsung would be better off studying Appleâs approach instead of simply copying it and try to determine whether reducing reflections and crease visibility is worth the effect a matte finish can have on image quality.Ideally, Samsung could develop a solution that offers some of the benefits of Appleâs nano-texture finish without sacrificing as much clarity or contrast.4. Foldable apps and software could receive more attention Three-app split-screen on Galaxy Z Fold 8 | Source: Daniel Scuteri / SamMobile Samsung has spent years improving multitasking and other foldable features. Galaxy Z Fold devices can run three apps simultaneously, open apps in pop-up windows, force unsupported apps to fill the screen, and control what happens when the phone is closed.However, many of these options are buried inside menus, such as the option to continue using an app on the cover screen after folding the device. Some apps also open with layouts that poorly fit the Fold 8âs unusual aspect ratio, forcing users to adjust their settings manually.Apple has focused heavily on making the iPhone Duo feel like a device designed around folding. Things like the animations, app dock, and transitions make the hardware feel purpose-built.The foldable iPhone's launch will not automatically improve Android apps, as developers have to optimize their iOS and Android versions separately. However, it could encourage developers to take foldable layouts more seriously in general.It could also push Samsung to make its existing foldable features easier to discover and improve how apps behave by default.5. Samsung may reconsider its obsession with thinnessThe Galaxy Z Fold 8 is considerably thinner and lighter than the iPhone Duo. That is a major advantage, as Samsungâs foldable feels much closer to a regular smartphone when closed.However, Samsungâs aggressive pursuit of a thin and lightweight design has also required compromises, especially on the Ultra model. There is limited room for a larger battery, a stylus digitizer, and other hardware (such as a vapor chamber cooling system).The iPhone Duo takes a different approach. Apple has accepted additional thickness and weight to offer features such as IP68 water and dust resistance, Apple Pencil support, and longer claimed battery life.Samsung should not turn the Fold 9 into a brick. The slim and lightweight design is one of the Fold 8âs best qualities. But adding a little thickness would be a reasonable trade-off if it allows Samsung to improve battery life, durability, and S Pen support.Competition from Apple does not guarantee that Samsung will address every Fold 8 weakness next year. But the Galaxy Z Fold 9 could be a considerably better foldable if Samsung responds in the right ways.