GoKawiilSanuj Bhatia / Android Authority
TL;DR Samsung is said to have started development on two wide foldable devices under the Galaxy Z9 generation for next year.
The second wide-screen foldable is being designed with an aspect ratio specifically tailored for wide-screen video playback on the inner display.
This move comes amid the Galaxy Z Fold 8’s widespread success, which has beaten records set by previous generations.
Samsung could double down on wider screens for its next-generation Z9 foldables. Following the positive reception to the Galaxy Z Fold 8, which helped drive record pre-orders for this Z8 generation of foldables, the company is reportedly developing a second “wide fold” model for 2027. This move would expand Samsung’s foldable portfolio to five distinct devices before even counting its rumored rollable slate.
According to a report by South Korean outlet ETNews, Samsung has initiated development projects for two wide foldable devices under the Galaxy Z9 generation and shared plans with its supply chain partners. While the current Fold 8 sports a squarish 4:3 aspect ratio when unfolded, the report cites unnamed industry sources to suggest that this new/second wide foldable is being designed with an aspect ratio tailored specifically for wide-screen video playback on the inner display.
If these plans pan out, Samsung’s foldable catalog will look significantly more diverse next year. In addition to the standard Flip, Fold, and Fold Ultra variants, the company has also been working on a tri-fold smartphone, which previously surfaced among a broader batch of leaked foldable and rollable codenames. Adding a second wide-style book foldable alongside these models would bring the total to five form factors, with the rollable slate increasing Samsung’s non-glass-slab lineup to six.
The push toward wider screens appears to be driven by sales figures. In South Korea, the wider Fold 8 reportedly accounted for roughly 70% of total pre-orders in the Z8 generation, helping the series reach 1.44 million pre-orders, up 39% from the Z7 generation.
While introducing two wide-style book foldables carries some risk of product overlap, Samsung appears willing to experiment with display proportions to capture users who prefer video-friendly canvases over square tablet layouts. Because the project is in its early stages, specific display dimensions and final release timelines remain subject to change.
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