Samsung is continuing its preparations to maintain its leadership in the foldable phone market and respond to Apple’s first iPhone Fold move. Design details of the new wide-screen foldable model the company is working on have been revealed through leaked mockups. Expected to be introduced in the second half of 2026 alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Flip 8 models, this new device completely differs from the current series in its form factor.
Passport-style wide design
Reports that emerged last month indicated that Samsung was working on two different devices with model numbers SM-F976 and SM-F971. Initially thought to be a more affordable model, the SM-F971 device turned out to be the Wide Fold, or wide foldable model. Mockups shared by the well-known leak source UniverseIce show that the device has a shorter and wider passport design, unlike the long and narrow structure of the current Z Fold series. While quite similar in design language to the iPhone Fold, the device differs from its competitor with its more angular lines.
According to leaked information, the Samsung Wide Fold will have a 7.6-inch main screen and a 5.4-inch cover screen. These dimensions are almost identical to its Apple competitor. The iPhone Fold model is also expected to come with a 7.58-inch inner screen and a 5.35-inch outer screen. The fact that both tech giants have agreed on a larger foldable format with a 4:3 aspect ratio indicates that the new standard in the industry is shifting in this direction.
Another important innovation that the new model will bring is S Pen support. As you may recall, Samsung removed stylus support from the Galaxy Z Fold 7 model to make the device thinner and lighter. However, it is rumored that the larger Wide Fold model will bring back this beloved feature. The larger screen area and stylus support could make this model an attractive option, especially for productivity-focused users.
So, which do you find more convenient in foldable phones: the current long design or the new wide passport-style design? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
