Causes
- Plastic deformation of the display stack from repeated folding — The Fold 8's "virtually crease-free" look depends on the factory-tensioned Flex Titanium display: a titanium alloy film paired with a micro-perforated titanium base plate that the display stack adheres to with almost no air gaps. Every open/close cycle bows the ultra-thin glass and film layers into the hinge's teardrop cavity, and after hundreds of cycles those layers undergo plastic deformation and slowly settle into the mechanical trench underneath — which is why the crease looks almost gone on day one but is visibly back by day seven, exactly what Tom's Guide documented after a week of daily driving.
- Heat accelerating the loss of display tension — The adhesives and polymer layers in the display stack soften when the phone gets warm (intense multitasking, gaming, video recording, fast charging, or a hot summer day). Reviewers noticed the Fold 8's crease settles in faster when the device heats up, because a warm display stack loses its factory-fresh tension more quickly than a cool one.
- Pressure in tight pockets and bags — The Fold 8's passport-size body is easy to slide into a front pocket, but stuffing it into ultra-tight jeans or a crammed bag squeezes the two folded display halves together against the hinge cavity, which deepens the crease faster than normal folding alone.
- Dust and grit working into the hinge and display edge — The Fold 8 is rated IP48, meaning it is not dust-resistant. Fine particles can work their way around the hinge and the edge of the main display; combined with the pressure of folding, they accelerate crease wear and can leave micro-scratches right along the crease line.
- Removing or damaging the pre-installed screen protector — The factory protector on the main display is part of the display stack's tension and integrity. Peeling it off (or letting a corner bubble up) changes how the layers flex, makes the crease far more noticeable, and voids Samsung's display coverage.
How to Fix
- Keep the pre-installed screen protector on the main display — Samsung explicitly warns against removing the factory screen protector on the Fold's main display. It is part of the display stack; removing it changes how the panel flexes at the hinge and immediately makes the crease more visible. If the protector develops bubbles or a lifted corner, take the phone to a Samsung service center for an official replacement instead of peeling it yourself.
- Let the phone cool before folding and unfolding it — Avoid repeatedly opening and closing the Fold 8 right after gaming, recording video, or fast charging, when the display stack is warm and most pliable. Give it a few minutes to cool down and the display layers stay closer to their factory tension.
- Open and close it gently with two hands — Support both halves with both hands and let the hinge move through its natural range without forcing it. Flicking the phone open one-handed or pushing the halves past the hinge stop puts extra stress on the exact spot where the crease forms.
- Give the phone a dedicated, looser pocket — Don't share a pocket with keys, coins, or other hard objects, and avoid ultra-tight jeans that press the folded phone together. If you use a case, pick a slim one that doesn't squeeze the hinge or catch dust around it.
- Keep dust away from the hinge — Gently brush the hinge area and the edges of the main display with a soft, dry brush (a clean makeup brush or soft paintbrush works) to remove grit. Do not use compressed air — it can force particles deeper into the hinge mechanism. Avoid taking the phone to the beach or other dusty environments without a case.
- Wipe the display clean and check the crease under normal lighting — The crease is mostly a visual artifact: it's only really visible when light reflects off the display at an angle. Clean the screen with a dry microfiber cloth (the Fold 8's anti-reflective coating smudges easily and oil buildup makes the crease far more obvious), then judge the crease against a bright background. If it's only visible at an angle, it's cosmetic and not a fault.
- Run the Samsung Members display diagnostic — Open the Samsung Members app, go to Support → Phone diagnostics, and run the Display test. This exercises the panel and checks for dead pixels, lines, or touch issues. It also creates a diagnostic log you can attach when contacting Samsung if the crease area shows real damage.
- If the crease is accompanied by cracks, dead pixels, or a bubble, stop folding and contact Samsung — A crease that turns into a visible crack line, black spots, or an air bubble under the display is a display failure, not normal wear. Back up your data, stop folding the phone, and contact Samsung support or visit a service center. Samsung's warranty has historically covered crease-area display failures that occur without physical impact, and the Fold 8's one-year manufacturer warranty covers manufacturing defects in the Flex Titanium display stack.