Samsung Prepares Wider Fold to Take on Apple’s First Foldable

We recently shared the first look at Samsung’s passport-style foldable concept, supposedly called the Galaxy Z Fold Wide. What initially seemed like a forward-looking concept now appears to be a real product already in development, and the timing is no coincidence. Leaked dimensions and display details suggest the first foldable iPhone will adopt a similarly wide, book-like form factor. And Samsung’s new Fold is a direct response to Apple’s upcoming entry into the foldable market.

A foldable that breaks away from the “tall phone” trend

Leaked schematics suggest Apple isn’t interested in copying today’s tall, narrow foldable designs. Instead, the iPhone Fold reportedly adopts a wider footprint. The device is allegedly 120.6mm tall and 167.6mm wide when unfolded (folded width of 85.6mm). The reported thickness is 4.8mm (unfolded)/ 9.6mm (folded). For context, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 has dimensions of 158.4 x 143.2/ 72.8 x 4.2/ 8.9 mm. Quite clearly, Apple’s foldable is much wider the Samsung’s current Fold.

According to the leak, the upcoming iPhone Fold has a 5.49-inch cover screen with a resolution of 2,088 × 1,422. The schematics also show a punch-hole camera on the cover display instead of a Face ID module, along with a rear camera bar that echoes the design language of Apple’s ultra-thin concepts. On the inside, it has a 7.76-inch screen at a 2,712 × 1,920 resolution. It’s an almost tablet-like canvas in landscape orientation. An under-display camera outline is visible in the renders.

Samsung isn’t waiting to launch its own “wide” foldable

According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple is still targeting a second-half 2026 announcement for its first foldable iPhone. However, early yield issues could limit supply, with smoother shipments not expected until 2027. That combination of scarcity and pent-up demand could make the iPhone Fold extremely hard to buy in its first year. Samsung, meanwhile, is already planning a counter-move.

A report from ETNews claims Samsung is developing an additional Fold model alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 8, internally described as a “Wide Fold.” This device is expected to launch in fall 2026, directly targeting Apple’s first foldable iPhone. The Wide Fold reportedly features a 7.6-inch inner display and a 5.4-inch cover screen, with a 4:3 aspect ratio when unfolded. These dimensions almost mirror the iPhone Fold. Samsung’s Wide Fold is also rumored to support 25W wireless charging, potentially with Qi2.2 and built-in magnets.

The move toward a wider design isn’t entirely new. Brands like OPPO experimented with shorter, wider foldables through the Find N series before switching to Samsung-style proportions. Now, with Apple reportedly embracing a 4:3 layout, the industry may be circling back. A wider unfolded screen feels more natural for reading, browsing, and photo viewing. It also distributes weight differently, often making the device feel more stable in the hand, closer to holding an open book than a stretched slab of glass.

Samsung has largely ironed out the early compromises of its Fold lineup with the Galaxy Z Fold 7: it’s thinner, lighter, has a stronger main camera, and a less visible crease. But Apple’s entry threatens to reshape expectations around what a foldable should feel like. By preparing a Wide Fold alongside its traditional Fold, the company appears ready to meet Apple head-on. If these rumors hold true, 2026 could be the year we see foldables take a new shape.