I still haven’t bought a foldable phone — but the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide may change that

Source: Android Authority

Introduction

Earlier this week, we got our first look at the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 — a phone that looks extremely similar to its predecessor, the Z Fold 7. However, that’s not the only Fold Samsung is launching in 2026. In addition to the regular Fold 8, Samsung is also working on its new “Wide” variant.

It’s called the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide, and on March 25, leaked CAD renders gave us our best look yet at its design. As you might expect, given the name, it looks like a wider version of the Galaxy Z Fold 8.

That may not sound like a big deal on paper, but the more I look at the Z Fold 8 Wide, the more I think it might be the first foldable phone I actually buy.

Are you looking forward to the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide?

• 52 votes

Yes, I’m Still Foldable‑Less

Photo: Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority

Leading up to the Galaxy Z Fold 7’s launch last year, I found myself in a similar mindset. I had yet to purchase a folding phone for myself, and given everything we were seeing about the Fold 7, it looked like the foldable that would finally get me to cave (Android Authority article).

A big reason for that was the Fold 7’s design. It was the first book‑style foldable to launch in the US with an ultra‑thin chassis—similar to what we’d seen from other brands like HONOR and OPPO. Getting a big‑screen foldable that felt like a normal slab phone when closed was incredibly tempting, and, as it turns out, that’s exactly what Samsung delivered.

The Fold 7 launched with a design just as thin and lightweight as the rumors claimed. The phone was incredibly well‑received, owing not only to its design but also to its improved internal display, good cameras, and solid battery life.

Despite how tempted I was (and still am) by the Galaxy Z Fold 7, I remain foldable‑less.

Did I buy the Galaxy Z Fold 7?

No, I did not. The temptation was certainly there, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized it probably wouldn’t be money well‑spent.

• Aspect ratio – While I was impressed by the thin, lightweight body, I wasn’t a fan of the square aspect ratio of the main inner display. It’s great for web browsing, but not ideal for watching videos—a lot of what I do on my phone. A square aspect ratio also isn’t always the best fit for tablet‑optimized apps, as I’ve repeatedly noticed when testing foldables with a square display.
• Price – At roughly $2,000, the Z Fold 7 is still far beyond what I’m willing to spend on a new smartphone, folding or not. It’s not that I doubt the device’s value; it’s simply beyond my budget.

Because of those factors, despite the lingering temptation, I remain foldable‑less.

Photo: Ryan Haines / Android Authority

Why the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide Might Actually Get Me

But now we have the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide, and the cycle is repeating itself once more. I may ultimately keep holding off on the fold‑able owner dream, but what we’ve seen of the Fold 8 Wide so far makes me think this time could be different.

There are two big reasons for that, one of which is pretty obvious: the wide design.

Just one look at the Fold 8 Wide makes it clear this is a drastically different approach from what we’ve seen from most other book‑style foldables. Gone is the tall 6.5‑inch cover screen rumored for the Fold 8, and in its place is a shorter and stouter 5.4‑inch display on the Wide.

The internal display is also a bit smaller, going from 8 inches to 7.6 inches, with the really important element being its significantly wider aspect ratio. These CAD renders aren’t fully indicative of the final design, but they should be close, and already the difference between the Wide and previous Z Folds is significant.

That wider inner display should instantly address my complaints about video watching and app optimization on square foldables. This display looks tailor‑made for:

• YouTube videos
• Netflix shows
• Apps with dual‑panel designs on larger screens (e.g., Gmail and Google Calendar)

And, as someone who likes being able to use a phone one‑handed and reach the top and bottom with ease, the shorter cover screen is exciting, too.

Price Considerations

We don’t currently know how much Samsung will charge for the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide, but I have a theory that it could be a lot more competitive than we’re expecting.

• The Z Fold 8 Wide has just two rear cameras compared to the three‑camera setup on all other Z Fold models since the original Galaxy Fold.
• The regular Fold 8 is expected to remain around $2,000. It would be odd for Samsung to price the Wide the same when it’s missing that third camera.

There’s also the fact that Samsung will almost certainly market the Fold 8 Wide as an alternative to the iPhone Fold, which is expected to finally release this year—and Apple’s foldable is also likely to have a wider display.

A $2,000 Fold 8 Wide competing against the iPhone Fold probably won’t tempt many Apple fans away. But what about an $1,800 or even a $1,600 Z Fold 8 Wide? It’s hard to say how competitive Samsung will get (especially given the current “emergency mode” the company is operating under), but a lower price than the regular Fold 8 seems likely. Depending on the final price, I may not be able to say no this year.

Of course, it’s also possible that I won’t buy the Fold 8 Wide, just as I didn’t get the Fold 7 last year. But if Samsung nails the design and the price, as I hope it will, I think it’s a lot more likely I’ll actually end up being a foldable owner in 2026.

Photo credit: Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority