Samsung is launching the Galaxy Z Fold 8 series in 2026, featuring two models: the standard Z Fold 8 and the new Wide version with a passport-style design and high-end features like a 200MP camera and potential SPen support, aiming to compete with Apple's rumored foldable iPhone and cater to diverse user preferences.
Samsung is developing a foldable smartphone called 'Wide Fold' with a passport-style form factor, a 7.6-inch main display, and a 5.4-inch cover display, aiming for a fall 2026 launch as a competitor to Apple's iPhone Fold, featuring a crease-free display and improved user experience.
The iPhone Fold is expected to launch in fall 2026, arriving at a time when the foldable smartphone market is experiencing significant growth and maturity, making Apple's late entry potentially advantageous as foldables become mainstream.
Samsung is preparing to launch its long-awaited tri-fold smartphone, possibly called Galaxy Z TriFold, around October, with an unveiling expected at the APEC summit. The device's release outside South Korea and China remains uncertain, but strong sales of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 in the US could influence Samsung's global rollout plans.
Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 are experiencing strong demand in the U.S., driven by major design improvements, increased battery life, and AI integration, with the Z Fold 7 attracting many former Galaxy S Ultra users and setting sales records.
In Q2 2025, Motorola's Razr (2025) outperformed Samsung's foldables in shipments, capturing 28% of the global market compared to Samsung's 9%, driven by strong sales in the US and China, despite Samsung's new Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 also performing well. The foldable market is growing, with overall shipments up 45% YoY, and Motorola's success marks a significant shift in the competitive landscape.
Samsung is potentially planning to unveil the Galaxy Z TriFold foldable phone, Project Moohan XR headset, and Galaxy Glasses at an event possibly scheduled for September 29th or early October, with limited initial units to test consumer interest, primarily targeting South Korea and China.
The Pixel 10 Pro Fold leaks reveal it will be the first foldable with an IP68 dust/water resistance rating and will feature UFS 4.0 storage, marking significant upgrades in durability and performance for Google's foldable phones, with a launch expected in October.
Samsung has confirmed the upcoming launch of a tri-folding smartphone and an XR headset before the end of 2025, with the tri-fold device expected to be released in October and featuring a durable inward-folding design. Additionally, Samsung will release an Android-based XR headset later this year, showcasing its aggressive push into new form factors and competing with Apple and other brands. These innovations aim to expand Samsung's ecosystem and maintain market leadership amid rising competition and market uncertainties.
The Galaxy Z Fold7 has achieved a record-breaking number of preorders in the US, surpassing previous models by over 25%, with particular popularity for new colors like Blue Shadow and Coralred, reflecting strong consumer demand and interest in Samsung's foldable smartphone lineup.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 represents a significant leap forward in foldable smartphone technology, featuring a more compact and elegant design, larger screens, a high-end camera system, and impressive performance, making it a compelling choice for those interested in premium foldables despite its high price.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 impresses with its ultra-thin design and strong battery life, but falls short in camera quality, app compatibility, and usability issues, making it a mixed bag despite its innovative form factor and high price.
Samsung expects the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7 to outsell previous models, with higher production targets, while the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE is produced in much smaller quantities due to its limited appeal and high price. The company anticipates strong demand for the foldables, especially the Fold 7, despite skepticism about the Flip 7 FE's market performance.
Samsung is considering replacing the titanium backplate of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 with a carbon fiber-reinforced plastic one to cut costs due to supply chain issues caused by the US-China trade war, which may slightly reduce durability but will make the device cheaper to produce. The move is based on reports and should be taken with caution, especially since the Galaxy Z Fold 7 still features a titanium backplate and offers a promotional deal.
Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7 has become more popular than the Flip 7 in South Korea for the first time, driven by a new slim design, larger displays, and AI features, with pre-orders doubling last year's numbers and the Fold 7 accounting for 60% of early sales.