TL; DR
- Samsung is developing a new Wide Fold model with a 7.6-inch 4:3 inner display and a 5.4-inch outer screen.
- The dimensions closely match leaks around Apple’s foldable iPhone, moving away from Samsung’s tall Z Fold design.
- The Wide Fold is planned to launch alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 8 in fall 2026, expanding Samsung’s foldable lineup.
With leaks around Apple’s foldable iPhone gaining momentum, Samsung is moving quickly to respond. Reports from late December 2025 say the company is accelerating development of a new foldable variant internally referred to as the Wide Fold.
According to ETNews (in Korean), the device will feature a 7.6-inch OLED display when unfolded, using a near-4:3 aspect ratio. The outer cover screen is said to measure around 5.4 inches, creating a short and wide closed form factor that looks very similar to Apple’s rumored foldable dimensions.
This marks a major shift for Samsung. For years, the Galaxy Z Fold line has followed a tall and narrow approach, prioritizing one-handed usability when closed. The Wide Fold represents a deliberate pivot away from that philosophy, favoring a more tablet-like experience when opened.
ALSO READ: Apple’s iPhone Fold Leaks Revive the Original Pixel Fold’s Wide Design
Samsung is not replacing its existing strategy just yet. The Wide Fold is expected to launch alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 8 in the second half of 2026. The TriFold will also continue to exist. This would give buyers a clear choice within the same generation, either the traditional narrow Fold or a wider, productivity-focused alternative.
The timing is no coincidence. Apple’s first foldable iPhone is also expected in fall 2026, and leaks suggest it will use a similarly wide layout. Samsung has reportedly been conducting internal user surveys focused on wide foldable ergonomics, signaling that this design direction is being taken seriously rather than treated as an experiment.
ALSO READ: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 Review: The Boldest Fold Yet
There is some irony here. Both Samsung and Apple appear to be circling back to a form factor first popularized by the Google Pixel Fold. That wider, passport-like design was eventually abandoned as the market leaned toward taller foldables. Now, with the two biggest players embracing it, the industry may be ready for a rethink.
If both devices land as expected, 2026 could mark a turning point for foldables. Instead of one dominant shape, the market may finally split between phone-first and tablet-first designs. And this time, the wide foldable might not be a niche experiment.
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