Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority
TL;DR Samsung’s rumored Wide Fold may launch in multiple markets, including the US.
New evidence from the IMEI database suggests Samsung is preparing a dedicated variant for the US.
The finding follows previous reports that Samsung plans to produce a million units of the Wide Fold, higher than any previous special edition foldable.
Apple is bringing its first foldable to the market this year, and other brands are taking notes. The iPhone Fold is set to depart from the accepted book-style design and instead opt for a wider layout, similar to the first Pixel Fold or the Microsoft Surface Duo. Even before the launch of the iPhone Fold, many Android manufacturers were exploring new or additional foldables with similarly wide inner displays, and Samsung is among them. In addition to the Galaxy Z Fold 8 this year, Samsung is expected to launch a “Wide” Fold, and new evidence suggests it might be available in multiple markets worldwide, including the US.
The assumption is based on a recent listing of a mysterious Samsung foldable, which was spotted on the IMEI database in December 2025. The said entry has now been updated (via SmartPrix) with different models for regions, including China, Canada, the USA, Korea, and Global (rest of the world). While there’s no concrete evidence confirming this is indeed the Wide Fold, several theories support this conclusion.
Don’t want to miss the best from Android Authority? Set us as a favorite source in Google Discover to never miss our latest exclusive reports, expert analysis, and much more.
to never miss our latest exclusive reports, expert analysis, and much more. You can also set us as a preferred source in Google Search by clicking the button below.
The mysterious device bears model number “SM-F971,” which closely resembles the purported model numbers of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 (SM-F976) and Galaxy Z Flip 8 (SM-F776). This is based on the following naming trend for older devices: Galaxy Z Fold 7 (2025): SM-F966
Galaxy Z Fold 6 (2025): SM-F956 Therefore, there’s a good chance this device will be a foldable closer to the Fold 8 than the Flip 8.
... continue reading