There is an outlook that Samsung Electronics will launch a new form of foldable smartphone this year with a wider screen than the existing models.
According to U.S. outlets Forbes and SamMobile, Samsung Electronics plans to release the "Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide," which has a wider screen than the base model this year. The product's development drew attention after CAD images were released and certification under the product name "SM-F971B" was confirmed by the GSM Association (GSMA). In addition, images of the smartphone operating system "One UI 9" were leaked, gradually bringing its look into focus.
According to foreign reports, internal materials from the initial One UI 9 setup include the model name "SM-F971B." In the image, when the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide is unfolded, the horizontal width is wider with a 4:3 aspect ratio. While the previous Galaxy Z Fold series was closer to a square, this device would offer tablet-like usability. SamMobile projected that this screen usability would be similar to the previously released twice-folding foldable smartphone, the "Galaxy Z Tri-Fold."
Forbes reported, "Compared to the elongated Galaxy Z Fold 7, the new foldable phone is expected to be shorter and wider," adding, "Its exterior may be closer to the original Google Pixel Fold or Microsoft Surface Duo, and it could be similar to the next iPhone Fold."
Previously leaked CAD images showed the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide with a 5.4-inch cover display and a 7.6-inch inner display. The base Galaxy Z Fold 8 is expected to feature a 6.5-inch cover screen and an 8-inch inner screen.
Unlike the existing Z Fold series, which carried three cameras, the Wide model appears to be simplified to two, excluding the telephoto camera. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide is said to be 4.9 mm thick when unfolded and 9.8 mm when folded. That is thicker than the base Galaxy Z Fold 7 (4.2 mm and 8.9 mm). Forbes viewed this increase in thickness as hinting at a larger battery or S Pen support. It also analyzed that Samsung Electronics adding a Wide model could be a response to expectations that Apple will enter the foldable market.