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| Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide renders next to the Huawei Pura X Max. |
New leaked specs suggest Samsung is abandoning its tall, narrow identity for a radically wider — and thinner — foldable. And Huawei might have just lost its first-mover advantage.
For years, the foldable smartphone market has been a game of two very different philosophies. On one side, you had Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold series: a tall, slender cover display that felt more like a TV remote than a traditional phone. On the other, competitors like Huawei embraced a shorter, wider stance that aimed to mimic the feel of a classic smartphone when folded.
Now, the tide is turning. And according to an exclusive new leak from veteran industry insider Ice Universe, Samsung is preparing to ditch its signature “tall and narrow” identity in a big way.
Meet the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide — a device that doesn’t just tweak the formula; it completely rewrites it. And its most direct rival? The recently launched Huawei Pura X Max, which until now held the crown as the first truly wide-style foldable on the market.
But after comparing the latest renders and specifications, one thing becomes painfully clear for Huawei: Samsung isn’t just playing catch-up. It’s playing to win.
Ice Universe Drops the Bombshell: Side-by-Side Renders Reveal Everything
The leak, which originated from the notoriously accurate leaker Ice Universe, gives us our clearest look yet at how the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide stacks up against the Huawei Pura X Max. The visual comparison is nothing short of dramatic.
You can see the full side-by-side breakdown in Ice Universe’s original post here:
👉 Ice Universe’s Exclusive Comparison on X (formerly Twitter)
And the numbers? They tell a story of two devices headed in opposite directions — even though both are chasing the “wider is better” dream.
Specs Showdown: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide vs. Huawei Pura X Max
Let’s cut straight to the leaked specifications. According to Ice Universe’s data, here’s how these two wide-style foldables compare on paper:
| Metric | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide | Huawei Pura X Max |
|---|---|---|
| Width (unfolded) | 161.4 mm | 166.5 mm |
| Width (folded) | 82.2 mm | 85.0 mm |
| Height | 123.9 mm | 120.0 mm |
| Thickness (unfolded) | 4.3 mm | 5.2 mm |
| Thickness (folded) | 9.8 mm | 11.2 mm |
| Inner display aspect ratio | 4:3 | 4.24:3 |
| Outer display aspect ratio | 4.7:3 | 4.4:3 |
At first glance, Samsung’s device is noticeably less wide than Huawei’s — but that’s not a bad thing. In fact, it might be the smarter move.
Width vs. Ergonomics: Why Samsung’s “Less Wide” Approach Wins
The Huawei Pura X Max is an absolute unit. With an unfolded width of 166.5 mm, it’s almost uncomfortably broad for one-handed use. Samsung’s 161.4 mm width might not sound like a massive reduction, but in the hand, those extra millimeters make all the difference.
More importantly, Samsung is targeting a classic 4:3 inner display aspect ratio — the same ratio found on iPads and traditional photo prints. That’s a deliberate choice. Apps, videos, and games have been optimized for 4:3 for decades. Huawei’s 4.24:3 ratio is slightly wider, which means more letterboxing on certain content.
The outer displays tell a similar story. Samsung’s 4.7:3 cover screen is nearly square, making it far more usable for typing, scrolling, and quick interactions. Huawei’s 4.4:3 remains wider, but that also means a narrower keyboard and more cramped one-handed use.
What this means for real-world users:
- Less thumb-stretching when the phone is folded.
- Fewer app compatibility headaches on the inner screen.
- A more natural transition between cover and main displays.
The Thinness War: Samsung Just Laid Down a Gauntlet
If there’s one number in this leak that should worry every other foldable maker, it’s 4.3 mm.
That’s the unfolded thickness of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide. For context, the Huawei Pura X Max measures 5.2 mm in its unfolded state — nearly a full millimeter thicker. And when folded, Samsung’s 9.8 mm thickness is almost as slim as a standard candybar phone (the iPhone 15 Pro, for reference, is 8.25 mm).
Huawei, meanwhile, bulges out to 11.2 mm folded.
Why does thinness matter in a foldable? Because the number one complaint about folding phones has always been bulk. A device that’s too thick in your pocket or too heavy in your hand kills the premium feel. Samsung is aggressively chasing the dream of a foldable that disappears in your pocket and feels like a regular phone when you need it to.
At 4.3 mm unfolded, the Z Fold 8 Wide would be one of the thinnest foldable tablets on the market — period.
Design Philosophy Clash: Classic Tablet vs. Experimental Stretch
Ice Universe’s leak also highlights a deeper philosophical divide.
Samsung’s approach: Anchor yourself in proven, comfortable ratios (4:3 inner, 4.7:3 outer) and push the limits of thinness and build quality.
Huawei’s approach: Go as wide as physically possible, even if it sacrifices ergonomics and thickness, just to claim the “biggest screen” crown.
Neither is inherently wrong — but the market tends to reward usability over raw specs. Remember when smartphones got absurdly tall? Brands eventually walked it back. Samsung itself is famous for correcting course after the Galaxy Note’s “too big” era.
The Z Fold 8 Wide feels like Samsung applying those lessons to the foldable space.
What This Means for Huawei’s Dominance
Until now, Huawei has been the undisputed leader in wide-style foldables. The Pura X Max was first to market, and it turned heads with its aggressive aspect ratio. But first-mover advantage only lasts as long as the competition takes to respond.
If the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide ships with these dimensions — thinner, better proportions, and likely Samsung’s superior display technology (think anti-reflective coating, higher peak brightness, and S Pen support) — Huawei could find itself playing defense.
Let’s not forget software. Samsung’s One UI has matured into one of the most foldable-friendly Android skins, with features like Flex Mode, taskbar improvements, and seamless app continuity. Huawei’s HarmonyOS, while impressive, still struggles with Google app support outside of China. That’s a global sales problem Samsung doesn’t have.
The Bottom Line: A Wake-Up Call for the Entire Foldable Market
The foldable market is shifting toward wider aspect ratios — that much is clear. But “wider” doesn’t have to mean “unwieldy.” Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide appears to be threading the needle perfectly: a broad, immersive inner display that still folds down to a manageable, pocketable slab.
Huawei fired the first shot with the Pura X Max. But if Ice Universe’s leak holds up, Samsung is about to fire the last one.
Key takeaways for foldable shoppers:
- Wait for the Z Fold 8 Wide if you value thinness and classic 4:3 screen proportions.
- Stick with the Pura X Max only if you absolutely need the widest possible unfolded display.
- Either way, the era of narrow, remote-control foldables is officially over.
And as always, take leaks with a grain of salt — but given Ice Universe’s decade-long track record, these dimensions are almost certainly close to final.
One thing’s for sure: 2026 is shaping up to be the year foldables finally grow up. And Samsung just showed its homework.
Source: Ice Universe via X (Twitter)
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| Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide renders next to the Huawei Pura X Max. |
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| Huawei Pura X Max. |