Leaked Samsung foldable dummy units hint at wider Galaxy Z Fold design

Samsung may be preparing a Fold that abandons the company’s familiar tall, book-style shape in favor of something much shorter and wider, a move that would change the pitch of the device from novelty to utility. Sonny Dickson posted images of alleged dummy units for the Galaxy Z Fold 8, Galaxy Z Flip 8 and a wider Fold variant, with the larger model variously described as the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide, Galaxy Z Fold Wide or Galaxy Z Wide Fold.

The leaked units suggest Samsung is testing a design that could matter more for daily use than for spec-sheet bragging rights. Recent reports say the wider model may use an almost square 18:18 inner display ratio, also described as 1:1 or 9:9. If that shape holds, the payoff would be practical: more room for typing with two thumbs, more space for split-screen apps, and an unfolded screen that may feel less like a stretched phone and more like a compact tablet. That is the real question Samsung keeps facing in foldables, whether the form factor can justify itself once the gimmick of folding wears off.

The contrast with Samsung’s current flagship is stark. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 launched in July 2025 with an 8.0-inch main display, a 6.5-inch cover display and a 21:9 cover aspect ratio, a layout that still favors a narrow outer screen. Earlier reporting suggested the wider device could shrink to a 7.6-inch internal screen with a 5.4-inch cover display, another sign that Samsung may be chasing a very different balance between portability and usability. One report also said Samsung may be developing two Galaxy Z Fold models for 2026, with both potentially arriving in the second half of the year.

The dummy units also hint at hardware beyond the shape change. One leak suggested the wider variant could support 45W wired charging, while the images reportedly show prominent rings that point to Qi2-style magnetic wireless charging support. Those details matter because Samsung is not just tweaking dimensions; it appears to be trying to make the foldable feel more complete out of the box.

That is where the wider design could either broaden the market or expose the limits of the category. A phone that is easier to type on, better for side-by-side multitasking and more comfortable for video could make a stronger case to buyers who still see foldables as expensive curiosities. Samsung has not officially confirmed the wider model or its specifications, but the leaks suggest the company is trying to solve the one problem that has shadowed foldables from the start: why most consumers still do not think they need one.