Samsung is reportedly developing a new foldable phone, dubbed the “Wide Fold,” intended to arrive alongside its regular Fold model and directly target Apple’s rumored first foldable iPhone. Leaks attribute a 7.6-inch inner OLED with a 4:3 aspect ratio and a 5.4-inch outer screen to the Wide Fold, a layout designed for a tablet-like reading and viewing experience. The device is also said to support 25W wireless charging and is expected to launch in fall 2026, around the same window as Apple’s tentative rollout. If true, the Wide Fold would broaden Samsung’s Z-series to three distinct foldables and place it in direct product-class competition with Apple.
Key Takeaways
- Leaked specs claim a 7.6-inch inner OLED with a 4:3 aspect ratio and a 5.4-inch outer display for Samsung’s Wide Fold.
- The Wide Fold’s dimensions are reportedly near Apple’s rumored foldable iPhone, which is said to have a 7.58-inch inner screen and a 4:3 ratio.
- Samsung plans to keep its tall Fold model (Fold 8 class) while adding a Wide Fold and a Flip, creating three Z-series devices.
- The Wide Fold is described as optimized for stability and two-handed use, with reading and photo viewing as intended strengths.
- Wireless charging at 25W is expected on the Wide Fold — the fastest wireless speed Samsung has announced for a phone so far.
- Samsung may debut 25W wireless charging on the Galaxy S26 Ultra early next year before bringing it to foldables.
- Reported launch timing is fall 2026, potentially coinciding with Apple’s first foldable iPhone release window.
Background
Foldable phones have become a testing ground for handset makers seeking new form factors beyond slab smartphones. Samsung established an early lead with the Galaxy Z Fold and Flip families, iterating toward thinner hinges, tougher displays and more varied screen ratios. Apple, historically conservative about new physical formats, is widely reported to be preparing its first foldable iPhone, which would mark a major new entrant into the category and likely shift competitive dynamics.
Samsung has experimented with multiple concepts — including the recent Galaxy Z TriFold — signaling a willingness to diversify beyond the tall, book-like Fold layout. Analysts and industry sources say manufacturers are evaluating how size, aspect ratio and hinge design affect ergonomics, content consumption and accessory ecosystems. In that context, a wider, tablet-like foldable could serve different user needs than the existing Fold models.
Main Event
According to reporting tied to South Korean outlets, Samsung’s Wide Fold would adopt a wider inner display that approaches a 4:3 aspect ratio, yielding a more square, tablet-like canvas when opened. That contrasts with the Galaxy Z Fold 7 lineage, which favors a narrow, taller interior and an outer display around 6.5 inches. The Wide Fold’s 7.6-inch inner panel would make reading, browsing and media viewing more similar to small tablets.
Design material that surfaced in Samsung-conducted surveys reportedly included concept images matching the Wide Fold’s proportions, suggesting the company is actively testing consumer reactions to a broader book-style device. Industry sources cited in the leaks argue that a wider spread improves balance when held with two hands and reduces the feeling of top-heaviness that some taller folds can exhibit.
The leaked feature set also highlights improved wireless charging: sources say the Wide Fold would support 25W wireless charging, a marked jump over prior foldable wireless rates. Samsung is said to be staging that wireless charging upgrade to debut first on a flagship S-series model and then roll it out to the foldable lineup.
Analysis & Implications
If Samsung introduces a wide, 4:3 foldable, it signals a deliberate strategy to occupy multiple ergonomic niches within the foldable category rather than iterate on a single form factor. Offering both tall and wide Fold variants would let Samsung compete on flexibility of use cases — from single-handed phone use to two-handed reading and creative tasks — and strengthen its appeal to different buyer segments.
Product similarity between Samsung’s Wide Fold and Apple’s rumored foldable raises strategic stakes. With near-identical inner dimensions reported, visual differentiation could be limited when devices are opened; industrial design, software optimization and feature sets (camera, charging, OS integration) will become decisive factors for consumers and reviewers.
Technically, a 4:3 inner panel favors content types formatted for near-square displays: magazines, documents, and some tablet-optimized apps. For developers and accessory makers, multiple aspect ratios complicate optimization but also expand potential use cases. If Samsung ships a Wide Fold alongside a tall Fold, app ecosystems will need to accommodate both ratios to avoid fragmented user experiences.
Comparison & Data
| Device | Inner Size | Aspect Ratio | Outer Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung Wide Fold (leak) | 7.6 in | 4:3 | 5.4 in |
| Apple rumored foldable | 7.58 in | 4:3 | — |
| Galaxy Z Fold 7 | — | taller format | 6.5 in |
The table shows close parity between the Wide Fold and Apple’s reported inner screen diagonal and ratio. Samsung’s existing Fold class remains oriented toward taller aspect ratios and different outer display sizing. These numeric similarities underscore why observers interpret the Wide Fold as a targeted response to Apple’s anticipated entry.
Reactions & Quotes
“A wider screen is easier to hold with two hands, feels more balanced when opened like a book, and works better for reading, browsing, and viewing photos.”
Industry source via ETNews
“Samsung’s survey imagery included tablet-like wide fold concepts, indicating active consumer testing of broader foldable layouts.”
Reporting from ETNews
Observers in the supply chain and analyst community see the rumored Wide Fold as logical competitive positioning: securing both tall and wide folds would make Samsung harder to dislodge as the category leader even as Apple enters. Consumer reaction will hinge on pricing, durability and software that makes the 4:3 space feel native rather than an awkward compromise.
Unconfirmed
- Exact confirmation that Samsung’s Wide Fold will ship with a 7.6-inch 4:3 inner OLED is pending an official announcement; current data derive from leaks and reports.
- Precise launch timing in fall 2026 and the claim Apple will debut a foldable at the same event are based on industry rumor and remain unverified.
- The assertion that 25W wireless charging will first appear on the Galaxy S26 Ultra is reported but not officially confirmed by Samsung.
Bottom Line
The Wide Fold rumor, if accurate, indicates Samsung is preparing to broaden its foldable portfolio to address different user needs and to blunt Apple’s market entry by matching display class and proportions. Offering a distinct wide Fold alongside a tall Fold and a Flip would strengthen Samsung’s position across use cases and price bands.
Key decision points going forward will be official specifications, software that adapts apps to a 4:3 foldable canvas, durability and pricing. For consumers, the practical difference between competing 4:3 foldables will likely come down to software polish, camera and charging behavior rather than raw display diagonal alone.