Samsung looks to be rethinking its foldable playbook as it prepares for what could be its most serious competition yet from Apple. According to fresh industry chatter, the company is developing a new foldable smartphone that insiders are calling the “Wide Fold.” If current plans hold, this device is expected to arrive sometime next year, launching alongside the familiar Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8.
What makes this model interesting is not just its timing, but its direction. The Wide Fold reportedly signals a clear shift in Samsung’s design thinking, moving away from tall and narrow proportions toward a wider, more tablet-like shape. The goal appears to be simple: match, or even pre-empt, the form factor Apple is expected to introduce with its first foldable iPhone.
A Wider Take on Foldable Design
A report from Korean outlet ETNews suggests Samsung is targeting a launch window in the second half of 2026. People familiar with the project describe the device as having a “passport-style” layout, a noticeable departure from the slimmer profiles seen on earlier models such as the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7.
On the inside, the Wide Fold is tipped to feature a 7.6-inch main display with a 4:3 aspect ratio. That size and shape closely match what has been leaked about Apple’s upcoming foldable, which is said to use a 7.58-inch inner screen. When folded, Samsung’s device is expected to offer a much wider 5.4-inch cover display, addressing long-standing complaints about cramped outer screens on book-style foldables. The phone is also rumored to support 25W wireless charging, keeping it in line with Samsung’s current premium lineup.
Setting Up a Direct Showdown With Apple
The rumored launch timing is no coincidence. Both Samsung’s Wide Fold and Apple’s first foldable device are expected to arrive in the fall of 2026, setting up a rare head-to-head battle at the very top of the smartphone market. Leaks and CAD-based renders suggest Apple’s foldable could resemble a compact tablet when opened, similar in feel to an iPad mini, with a folded width of around 83.8mm and a thickness close to 9.6mm.
As always, Apple has not officially acknowledged any such product. Still, the fact that both companies appear to be converging on wider, more practical designs says a lot about where foldables are headed. After years of experimentation, the next generation of foldable phones may finally prioritize everyday usability over futuristic form alone, and Samsung seems determined to be ready when Apple enters the arena.
