Samsung Prepares a ‘Wide Fold’ to Take On Apple’s First Foldable iPhone

Samsung may already be laying the groundwork for its next major foldable shift, well before Apple even enters the category.

Fresh reports suggest the South Korean tech giant is developing a new “Wide Fold” smartphone, a wider, book-style foldable designed to directly rival Apple’s first foldable iPhone, which is widely expected to debut in 2026. If true, this move signals that Samsung is not just reacting to Apple’s entry but actively shaping the competitive battlefield in advance.

Apple’s Foldable iPhone Is Changing the Rules

Apple has yet to confirm a foldable iPhone, but industry leaks point to a distinctly different design philosophy from most existing foldables.

Unlike today’s tall, narrow foldable phones, Apple’s device is rumored to feature a wider, book-like form factor, similar to a small passport. The unfolded display is expected to offer a 4:3 aspect ratio, closer to an iPad mini than a traditional smartphone.

That design choice matters. A wider canvas allows for better multitasking, more natural video playback, and a more tablet-like experience, areas where current foldables often feel compromised.

For Samsung, which has dominated the foldable space for years, Apple’s approach represents both a threat and a validation.

Samsung’s ‘Wide Fold’: What We Know So Far

According to reports from South Korea, Samsung has begun developing a new Wide Fold form factor that goes beyond the current Galaxy Z Fold lineup.

A Wider Inner Display to Match Apple

The Wide Fold is said to feature a 7.6-inch inner OLED display, nearly identical to Apple’s rumored 7.58-inch foldable screen. More importantly, the inner display is expected to use a 4:3 aspect ratio, mirroring Apple’s strategy.

This would be a notable departure from Samsung’s tall, narrow foldables, which often feel more like stretched smartphones than compact tablets.

A Shorter, Wider Cover Screen

One of the most significant changes could be the outer display.

Instead of the tall 6.5-inch cover screen seen on the Galaxy Z Fold 7, the Wide Fold may feature a 5.4-inch outer display that is wider than it is tall. This would make everyday tasks, texting, browsing, and quick replies feel more natural without opening the device.

This design isn’t entirely new. Phones like Oppo’s Find N series and the original Google Pixel Fold explored similar proportions, earning praise for comfort and usability.

Why Are Samsung and Apple Moving in the Same Direction?

The shift toward wider foldables appears to be driven by usability rather than novelty.

Taller foldables often struggle with one-handed use, awkward typing, and uneven app scaling. A wider form factor offers:

• Better weight distribution

• More stable handling

• Improved multitasking layouts

• Fewer compromises between phone and tablet modes

Reports suggest this “sense of stability” is one of the key reasons both companies are reconsidering traditional foldable dimensions.

If Apple adopts this design, Samsung cannot afford to ignore it.

Three Foldables in One Year? Samsung’s 2026 Strategy

Perhaps the most telling detail is Samsung’s reported launch roadmap. The Wide Fold is expected to debut in the fall, alongside two other foldables:

• Galaxy Z Fold 8

• Galaxy Z Flip 8

This would mark the first time Samsung offers three distinct foldable models in a single year, each targeting a different type of user.

What This Means for Consumers

A three-device strategy suggests Samsung sees foldables moving beyond early adopters into mainstream segmentation, much like traditional smartphones.

• The Z Flip appeals to style-focused users

• The Z Fold targets productivity and power users

• The Wide Fold could sit in between, offering balance and comfort

The Bigger Picture: Foldables Are Entering Their Second Phase

Samsung has spent years refining hinge mechanisms, display durability, and software optimization. Apple, meanwhile, is known for entering markets late but reshaping them decisively.

If Apple launches a wide foldable in 2026, it could redefine expectations overnight. Samsung’s early move suggests it understands that risk, and intends to meet Apple on equal design terms rather than relying solely on experience.

Will Samsung Beat Apple at Apple’s Own Game?

That remains the key question.

Samsung has scale, manufacturing expertise, and years of foldable data. Apple has ecosystem power, developer influence, and unmatched consumer loyalty. The emergence of the Wide Fold hints that the next phase of the foldable war will not be about who folds first but who folds smarter.

And for the first time in years, Samsung may be preparing not to lead the category but to defend it.

ALSO READ: Apple Foldable iPhone Enters Prototype Testing Phase, Set for 2026 Launch