TECH NEWS – According to industry rumors, the South Korean tech giant is developing a wider, passport-style foldable device.
Apple’s iPhone Fold reportedly includes several design elements intended to raise the bar for foldable smartphones. Rumors suggest it will feature a crease-free display, something current-generation devices lack, as well as a wider, passport-like screen previously said to use a 4:3 aspect ratio.
Samsung, seemingly aware that its competitor could launch a superior design within the next twelve months, is said to be developing its own rival device, known as the Wide Fold, with a launch planned for the fall.
ETNews reports details regarding the size of the Wide Fold’s internal and external displays. The main screen is expected to measure 7.6 inches (19.3 cm), while the cover display would come in at 5.4 inches (13.71 cm). With its 4:3 aspect ratio, the next-generation foldable would adopt a passport-like format that is slightly wider than it is tall.
Samsung likely opted for this design to enhance the user experience, as the unique aspect ratio makes the device resemble an open book while reducing cutouts when viewing web pages or other content. Other rumored hardware details include 25W wireless charging, the highest output currently seen on a Samsung smartphone.
As for the chipset, since the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is expected to feature the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, the Wide Fold may use the same processor. The device could be unveiled at Samsung’s second Unpacked event, which is traditionally reserved for the Galaxy Z Fold and Galaxy Z Flip lineups.
While Samsung’s years of experience in the foldable market may give it an advantage in pricing, it remains to be seen whether the Wide Fold will achieve mass appeal. What seems certain is that it will not come cheap, and more details are expected to emerge over time.
