Apple might finally jump into the foldable fray this year. But Samsung isn’t waiting for the iPhone Ultra to steal its thunder. Instead, the tech giant is preparing to launch a competitor before the Cupertino giant even reveals its own device.
Samsung has scheduled its Galaxy Unpacked event for London on July 22. Everyone expects the company to announce a third distinct foldable form factor. This new device will reportedly be shorter and wider than current models, mimicking the rumored shape of Apple’s upcoming foldable.
If you’re tracking the rumors for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide, here is what we actually know so far.
When will the Z Fold 8 Wide launch?
The date is set for July 22 in London. But don’t expect to walk into a store on that day and walk out with a phone in hand.
Precedent suggests availability will follow a few weeks after the announcement. If history holds true, pre-orders might start immediately, but actual delivery will lag. We are likely looking at late August or early September for widespread availability.
Is this actually the Z Fold 8?
The naming scheme is already getting messy. Yes, the new wide device will likely carry the name Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8. But here is the catch: it is not the direct successor to the Z Fold 7.
Samsung will launch the true Z Fold 8 successor alongside it. That model is reportedly going by the name Z Fold 8 Ultra. It seems Samsung is splitting the foldable line into two distinct tracks. One for the standard wide form factor. One for the traditional tall, vertical folder. We will have to wait for the keynote to see if they can untangle this acronym spaghetti.
Design and hardware specs
Samsung has not officially confirmed the Z Fold 8 Wide yet. But leaks are stacking up fast.
Prominent leaker Sonny Dickson shared images of dummy units on X in April. Most cases looked standard. One was different. It looked squat. Wider than anything Samsung has produced previously. This matches the description of the new wide foldable perfectly.
Tech leaker Tarun Vats recently dumped a spec sheet online. It paints a clear picture of the internal guts:
- Cover Display: 5.5 inches. 120Hz refresh rate.
- Inner Display: 7.6 inches. 120Hz.
- Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 “for Galaxy.”
- Memory: 12GB RAM.
- Storage: Options for 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB.
- Battery: 4,800mAh.
These dimensions point toward a roughly 4:3 aspect ratio on the main screen. That is a significant shift from the tall rectangles we are used to. Apple is reportedly aiming for this exact same ratio with its foldable. Samsung might be trying to match Apple’s geometry head-on.
Android Authority recently corroborated this design. They found alleged images of the phone hidden within One UI 9 beta files. The aspect ratio holds up.
The specs aren’t shocking. The RAM and storage levels are standard for a premium device. The Snapdragon 8 Elite chip has powered recent Samsung flagships, ensuring smooth performance. A 4,800 mAh battery is also expected. Whether it will last all day? That is the real question.
Camera concerns
This is where the Z Fold 8 Wide might disappoint.
The renders from Android Authority show only two rear cameras. The previous Z Fold 7 came with three lenses. The rumored Z Fold 8 Ultra will likely keep that trio. Compromising on the main camera module feels like a step back for a flagship device.
The spec leak suggests modest lenses too. A 50MP main wide shooter. A 50MP ultrawide. Two 10MP selfie sensors. Compare that to the 200MP sensor on the Z Fold 7. The jump in resolution is gone. The zoom capabilities will likely suffer. If you are buying this phone for photography, it may not be the upgrade you want.
It is a far cry from the 20 aspect of the 200MP main lens on the Z Fold 7.
How much will it cost?
Pricing is hard to pin down. But it will be expensive.
Global memory shortages have driven up component costs. Foldables already sit in the $2,000 ballpark. Adding a new form factor does not lower prices. If anything, the R&D for the unique hinge and wide chassis might push it higher.
Do not be shocked if the price tag exceeds your budget. Even with the weaker camera system, this will remain a niche luxury item. Expect a high entry fee.
