According to a report from SammyGuru, the new Galaxy Z Fold 8 could be Samsung’s next strategic move, designed specifically to counter Apple’s long-rumored first foldable iPhone.

Images from the leak show a mysterious Fold 8 variant with a design closer to a compact tablet rather than the squarish foldable previously speculated.

If these leaks are accurate, Samsung may be charting a distinct new course for the next-generation Fold.

A new foldable unlike the Galaxy Z Fold 7

Expected in the coming year, alongside updated versions of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7, Samsung may also unveil a second foldable “book-style” phone with a wider chassis.

In a recent survey, the company included renders of a foldable device that shares the Fold series' DNA but diverges significantly from the current Fold 7 in appearance.

When fully opened, the device looks more like a small tablet than a traditional foldable phone. Folded, it doesn't resemble a regular smartphone like the Fold 7, but rather features a broader, shorter body.

Overall, the design evokes more of a Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold aesthetic than previous Samsung Fold models.

Interestingly, the survey does not explicitly name the device as the Galaxy Z Fold 8, suggesting that Samsung is likely gauging market feedback before finalizing the product.

A new strategy to counter Apple’s foldable debut

South Korean outlet ET News has reported that Samsung plans to release a wider foldable next year. This device is expected to be shorter in height but broader in width, offering a more tablet-like experience.

Earlier leaks suggested the new model might feature an 18:9 outer display and a near-square 18:18 inner screen.

For comparison, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 currently uses a 21:9 outer display and a 20:18 inner screen, making the phone tall and narrow when folded.

However, the images from this survey don’t exactly match previous leaks, which emphasized a square internal display.

Still, one thing is clear: Samsung is seriously exploring new design languages for its Fold lineup.

This second version of the Fold 8 may serve as a direct answer to Apple’s long-awaited foldable iPhone. Rumors suggest the iPhone Fold could debut at the end of this year, possibly alongside the iPhone 18 Pro series.

Previously leaked image of Galaxy Z Fold 8. Source: Ice Universe

The iPhone Fold is expected to feature a shorter, wider body - much like the iPad mini - to optimize reading, video, and multitasking experiences.

What’s striking is how closely the leaked Samsung renders align with that philosophy - perhaps even more so than earlier square-screen concepts.

If Apple indeed chooses this direction, Samsung could gain an early advantage by launching a wide-body Fold first, while also expanding choices for foldable fans.

What to expect from the wider Galaxy Z Fold 8

At this stage, it’s impossible to confirm whether Samsung will commit to this wider Fold 8 design. Survey images are not guarantees of commercial release.

However, it’s becoming increasingly evident that Samsung is developing more than one form factor for its next Fold generation.

Beyond the familiar Fold 7 design, the company appears to be targeting users who aren’t fully satisfied with the tall, narrow shape of previous Folds.

A wider foldable - closer to a mini tablet - could meet the growing demand for large-screen devices for work and entertainment, while helping Samsung maintain an edge as Apple enters the foldable race.

If these leaks prove accurate, 2026 could be a breakout year for foldable smartphones, as two tech giants prepare for a head-on collision between contrasting design philosophies.

Hai Phong