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| The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8, Galaxy Z Flip8, and Galaxy Z Wide might already have a set release date |
Just when we thought Samsung had settled into a predictable rhythm with its foldable phones, a fresh leak out of South Korea suggests the company is about to shake things up in a major way. Designs for all three of Samsung’s 2026 foldables have surfaced online in recent days, and while the expected Galaxy Z Fold8 and Galaxy Z Flip8 upgrades look familiar, it’s the mysterious third device—tentatively called the Galaxy Z Wide Fold—that has industry watchers buzzing.
Why all the excitement? Because this new form factor puts Samsung on a direct collision course with Apple’s long-rumored first foldable iPhone, which is widely expected to debut in September alongside the iPhone 18 Pro lineup. If the leaks are accurate, Samsung isn’t just beating Apple to the punch—it’s redefining what a “book-style” foldable can be.
Three Foldables, One Unpacked Event: July 22 in London
According to a report from the Korean news outlet Wowtv, which cites anonymous industry sources, Samsung has already locked in both a date and a venue for its next major Galaxy Unpacked event. The showcase is said to take place on Wednesday, July 22, and for the first time in years, it won’t be in Seoul, New York, or San Francisco—instead, London will host the summer spectacle.
As usual, Samsung has not officially confirmed any details, and leaks this far ahead of a launch should always be taken with a grain of salt. But the consistency of the information across multiple industry channels suggests that the company is preparing for an earlier-than-typical unveiling. If July 22 holds true, that would put Samsung’s foldables on shelves by early August, giving them a solid six-week head start before Apple’s anticipated entry into the foldable market.
For those keeping score at home, the existing Galaxy Z Fold7—still available on Amazon at competitive prices—has been a solid performer, but the leaks indicate that Samsung is ready to move beyond incremental updates.
What’s New (and What’s Not) on the Z Fold8 and Z Flip8
Let’s start with the familiar faces. Based on leaked CAD renders circulating among case manufacturers, neither the Galaxy Z Fold8 nor the Galaxy Z Flip8 is expected to undergo a dramatic redesign. That might disappoint fans hoping for a radical departure, but it’s also par for the course in Samsung’s foldable evolution.
The Z Fold8 appears to retain the same tall, narrow cover display and roughly 7.6-inch inner screen that users have grown accustomed to. Meanwhile, the Z Flip8 is said to stick with the clamshell formula that has made the Flip series a mainstream hit, with only minor tweaks to hinge durability and camera placement.
In other words, if you own a Z Fold7 or Z Flip7, you probably won’t feel compelled to upgrade for design reasons alone. Performance, however, is another story—both devices are rumored to pack the next-generation Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, which should bring noticeable gains in AI processing, battery efficiency, and graphics.
But the real headline-grabber is the third device.
Enter the Galaxy Z Wide Fold: A New Contender
The Galaxy Z Wide Fold (name not yet confirmed) is where Samsung is taking a genuine risk. Unlike the traditional Fold series, which unfolds from a narrow candy-bar shape into a near-square tablet, the Wide Fold is designed from the ground up with a different aspect ratio in mind.
Here’s what the leak claims:
- Inner display: 7.6-inch AMOLED with a 4:3 aspect ratio – that’s noticeably squarer than the Fold8’s inner screen, making it feel more like an iPad mini than a widescreen tablet.
- Cover display: Just 5.4 inches, significantly smaller than what you’ll find on the Z Fold8. That suggests Samsung is betting that users will spend most of their time with the device unfolded.
- Thickness: An impressively slim 0.39 inches (roughly 9.9mm) when folded, which would make it one of the thinnest book-style foldables on the market.
- Chipset: Same Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 as the other two models.
- Cameras: A surprisingly modest dual-camera setup – no triple or quad arrays here.
The 4:3 aspect ratio is particularly interesting. It’s the same proportions as the original iPad and many e-readers, and it’s ideal for reading documents, browsing social media in portrait mode, or viewing square-format photos. But it also happens to be the exact aspect ratio rumored for Apple’s first foldable iPhone, which is expected to feature a similar 7.5- to 8-inch inner display when unfolded.
In other words, Samsung is meeting Apple on its own turf before Apple even gets there.
Why the Dual Camera? A Calculated Trade-Off
At first glance, the dual-camera setup on the Wide Fold might seem like a step backward. Even mid-range phones now ship with three or four lenses. But there’s a method to the madness.
By stripping back the camera hardware, Samsung can keep the device thinner, lighter, and potentially more affordable than the Z Fold8. The 0.39-inch folded thickness is no accident—it’s likely the result of eliminating a telephoto or ultra-wide lens. For users who prioritize portability and screen real estate over zoom photography, that trade-off might be well worth it.
It also positions the Wide Fold as a companion device rather than a direct competitor to Samsung’s own flagship Fold8. Think of it as a foldable for readers, note-takers, and multitaskers who don’t need pro-grade cameras.
Samsung vs. Apple: The Battle of the Foldables Heats Up
Apple has been rumored to be working on a foldable iPhone for years, with most analysts now pointing to a September 2026 launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro series. That device is expected to feature a seamless, nearly crease-less display and Apple’s proprietary hinge design—but it’s also likely to carry a price tag well north of $2,000.
Samsung’s Wide Fold, by contrast, could hit shelves as early as August, giving it a crucial first-mover advantage. And while Apple fans are famously patient, a six-week head start in the critical back-to-school and pre-holiday shopping season is nothing to sneeze at.
Of course, the success of the Wide Fold will depend on execution. A 5.4-inch cover display is small—smaller than the iPhone 13 mini’s screen. That means you’ll be unfolding the device for almost any task beyond checking notifications. Whether consumers are ready for that behavior shift remains an open question.
When Can You Expect Official News?
As with any leak, take these details with a healthy dose of skepticism. Samsung has not confirmed the July 22 London event, nor has it acknowledged the existence of a Wide Fold model. The company is known for testing multiple prototypes, and not all of them make it to mass production.
However, the Wowtv report (which you can read in full here) has a track record of accurate supply-chain leaks. The fact that CAD renders have already circulated to case makers suggests that at least one of these devices is well into the manufacturing planning phase.
If history is any guide, Samsung will begin sending out invitations for Galaxy Unpacked in late June. That gives us roughly two months to see whether the London rumor holds water.
Should You Wait for the Wide Fold, or Buy the Z Fold7 Now?
That’s the million-dollar question. If you need a foldable today, the Galaxy Z Fold7 remains a fantastic device—you can grab it on Amazon with current discounts that make it more affordable than ever. It’s battle-tested, has a refined hinge, and offers a triple-camera system that the Wide Fold won’t match.
But if you’re willing to wait until late summer, the Wide Fold could be something genuinely different. A 4:3 screen, ultra-slim profile, and potentially lower price point might make it the foldable for people who found the Z Fold series too narrow or too expensive.
Either way, 2026 is shaping up to be the year the foldable market finally gets interesting. And for the first time in a long time, Samsung isn’t the only name on everyone’s lips—Apple is coming. The only question is whether Samsung’s early move will be enough to steal the spotlight.
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