Excitement is building ahead of Galaxy Unpacked… and much of the attention is on a shorter, wider Galaxy Fold that could be more comfortable to use while closed.
Reports indicate the company could introduce a shorter, wider Galaxy Fold at its July 22 Unpacked event, potentially under the Galaxy Z Fold 8 or Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide name. The redesigned proportions may provide a more conventional cover screen, although rumored specifications point to a $1,899 starting price and no dedicated telephoto camera.
With Galaxy Unpacked approaching, I’ve compiled everything we know so far about the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide, from the name Samsung may use to the design and hardware buyers could see at launch.
A wider outer screen could reduce the Fold’s cramped layout
Renders published by Android Headlines show a passport-style foldable with a cover screen that more closely resembles a traditional smartphone. Earlier Fold models can feel cramped when closed, mainly during typing or browsing, so the extra width could make day-to-day use more comfortable.
Extra width on the outside is only part of the story. Current details provided by Android Headlines also include a squarer inner display and a lighter body.
| Cover display | 5.5 inches, 16:10, up to 120Hz |
| Inner display | 7.6 inches, 4:3, up to 120Hz |
| Weight | About 200 grams |
| Thickness | 4.5mm open and 9.7mm folded |
| Colors | Cream, Graphite, Lavender, and possibly Pistachio |
An inner screen with a 4:3 aspect ratio would provide extra horizontal space for documents and split-screen apps. Video and games would already be in landscape view, reducing the need to rotate the phone after opening them.
Naming remains murky. Most outlets refer to the device as the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide, though the company may sell it simply as the Galaxy Z Fold 8. Certification records link model SM-F976 to the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, suggesting the taller successor to last year’s Fold 7 could take the Ultra name.
Fast hardware with a simpler camera system
Changes on the outside do not appear to come with a lower-tier processor. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy could power the phone with 12GB of RAM, while storage choices may include 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB.
Cameras may be where the Galaxy maker trims back. According to Sisa Journal, current specifications include a 50MP main camera beside a 50MP ultrawide, plus a 10MP selfie camera on each display.
A dedicated telephoto lens is absent from the current specifications, which would limit optical zoom compared with the Fold 8 Ultra. Buyers who care about zoom may need the taller model instead.
SammyGuru reported a 4,800mAh battery capacity, an increase that should suit a phone running two displays. Charging details remain uncertain. Some reports list charging at 45W, while others list it at 25W.
One UI 9 may ship with the device, alongside Wi-Fi 7 and UWB support. Samsung has promised more “personal and adaptive experiences,” but it has not revealed any Galaxy AI features specifically designed for wider screens.
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Release date and price
Galaxy Unpacked takes place in London on July 22 at 2 p.m. BST. Preorders could open around the event, with Latvian e-commerce platform PriceBee listing an early August retail release.
Cost may prove the biggest hurdle. South Korea’s Seoul Economic Daily puts the base model at $1,899, bringing it close to $2,000 before accessories or extra storage.
European prices usually include tax, so direct comparisons with US pricing can be misleading. Launch discounts and trade-in deals could bring the final cost down.
S Pen support, crease reduction, and regional availability remain unconfirmed.
Samsung’s July 22 Unpacked event should reveal whether the reported Fold 8 Wide is a separate model or the company’s new standard foldable. The key question for buyers will be whether its more practical proportions outweigh the rumored lack of a telephoto camera and a starting price approaching $2,000.
Also read: Google’s rumored Pixel 11 pricing shift points to bigger base storage and a more expensive entry point.