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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Steve Hogarty

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide rumours: Everything we know about the iPhone Fold rival

The Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold lasted just three months before being discontinued - (David Phelan/The Independent)

Samsung looks set to add yet another foldable phone to its roster this summer. Rumoured to be named the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide, the handset would represent the biggest shift in form factor for the premium foldable series, since killing off the Galaxy Z TriFold earlier this year.

Leaked renders and specs suggest the Fold 8 Wide is swapping the narrow, chocolate bar proportions of the standard Fold in favour of a shorter and wider chassis.

If true, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide would launch alongside the regular Fold 8 and a new clamshell-style Flip 8 at Samsung’s annual summer showcase. The wider form factor also resembles the heavily rumoured iPhone Fold, which is said to be making its debut appearance later this year.

We won’t know any official details until Samsung’s event, but some credible leaks have already painted a picture of what to expect. Here’s everything we know so far about the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide.

Read more: The best phones in 2026, reviewed by tech experts

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 folds out to a square-ish aspect ratio (The Independent/Steve Hogarty)

Design and display

Thanks to a batch of CAD renders published by Android Headlines and notorious leaker OnLeaks, we already have an idea of what the Fold 8 Wide will look like. As the name suggests, the device takes the classic Fold blueprint and stretches it horizontally.

It’s worth mentioning that the classic Fold has already been taking steps towards a squatter form factor, with increasingly wide cover displays that feel more natural in the hand. This new rumoured phone looks to be a fresh start however, rather than another yearly incremental change to the existing hardware.

When closed, the phone will reportedly measure 123.9mm x 82.2mm x 9.8mm, making it significantly shorter and wider than the standard Galaxy Z Fold 7. This allows for a 5.4in cover display with a much more natural, user-friendly aspect ratio.

Unfold it, and you should be greeted by a 7.6in internal display. Because the chassis is set to be wider, this inner screen defaults to a landscape orientation right off the bat, making it immediately better suited for watching video or playing games without having to physically rotate the device. This would address one of the main issues with foldable phones – square-shaped inner displays that don’t have a useful aspect ratio for full-screen video.

It’s also rumoured to be impressively slim, measuring just 4.9mm thick when opened.

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge is the thinnest phone in Samsung’s line-up at 5.8mm (Steve Hogarty/The Independent)

Specs and performance

The Fold 8 Wide is expected to pack the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, tuned for Galaxy. That’s a top-tier chip that should chew through heavy multitasking and demanding 3D games, limited only by whatever cooling Samsung can squeeze into the phone’s thin shape.

Leaks point to a 5,000mAh battery – a decent size for a foldable – supported by respectable 45W wired fast charging to get you topped up.

Read more: What’s the best Samsung phone? Here’s my verdict as a tech expert

Cameras

The camera is usually first in the firing line when slimming down a phone, and early rumours suggest the wider Fold won’t carry the same triple-lens setup found in the standard Z Fold series. Leaked renders show a dual-lens array, which would be a significant downgrade in camera performance versus the mainline Galaxy S26 phones.

Design-wise, the camera module looks to be taking its cues from the sleek, minimalist styling of the Galaxy S25 Edge and S26. While dropping a lens (likely the dedicated telephoto) is a shame, a capable wide and ultrawide duo, backed by Samsung’s impressive AI image processing, should still be more than enough for most users.

Release date and price

Samsung holds its summer Galaxy Unpacked event in July or August, which is when we expect to see the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide break cover alongside the standard Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Flip 8.

This is unlikely to be a budget-friendly spin-off. Rumours suggest the Fold 8 Wide will launch for somewhere in the region of £1,500. Take that with a pinch of salt though – pricing is likely to be finalised much nearer to launch, given the volatility in the tech industry right now.

If these rumours turn out to be accurate, Samsung could be launching a premium, passport-style foldable just months before Apple is expected to reveal its own bending iPhone. If successful, it could spell the end of the classic Z Fold as we know it.

Don’t want to hang around for a new foldable? Check out the best phones to buy right now

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