For years, Samsung has dominated the foldable smartphone market with iterative improvements — thinner hinges, brighter displays, more durable creases. But behind closed doors, the South Korean electronics giant appears to be preparing something far more ambitious: a wider-format Galaxy Z Fold that could fundamentally change how users interact with foldable devices, paired with a sweeping new software platform designed to take full advantage of the expanded real estate.

Evidence is mounting that Samsung is actively testing a broader version of its flagship foldable — potentially dubbed the Galaxy Z Fold 7 “Wide” — alongside its next-generation One UI 8 operating system. The convergence of new hardware dimensions and a rebuilt software experience suggests Samsung is making its boldest bet yet on the foldable form factor, one that could blur the line between smartphone and tablet more convincingly than any device before it.

A Wider Fold Emerges From the Testing Lab

According to reporting by Android Central, fresh evidence has surfaced indicating that Samsung’s rumored wide-screen foldable is being tested in conjunction with One UI 8, the company’s next major Android skin. The publication noted that firmware references and testing logs point to a device with a noticeably wider inner display when unfolded, departing from the taller, narrower aspect ratio that has characterized every Galaxy Z Fold since the original debuted in 2019.

The wider aspect ratio has been one of the most persistent requests from Fold users and tech reviewers alike. The current Galaxy Z Fold 6, while refined, still produces a relatively narrow front screen and an inner display that, while large, doesn’t quite replicate the proportions of a traditional tablet. A wider configuration would deliver a more natural viewing and productivity experience when the device is opened, making split-screen multitasking, media consumption, and document editing substantially more comfortable.

One UI 8: Built for a New Form Factor

What makes this leak particularly compelling is the software dimension. Samsung’s One UI 8, expected to be built atop Android 16, appears to be undergoing significant architectural changes — and the wide foldable may be a driving force behind those changes. As Android Central reported, references to the wider device have appeared in One UI 8 testing builds, suggesting that Samsung is developing hardware and software in tandem rather than retrofitting software to new hardware after the fact.

This approach represents a maturation in Samsung’s foldable strategy. In previous generations, software optimization for foldables often lagged behind the hardware. Apps would struggle with aspect ratio transitions, multitasking features felt bolted on, and the inner display experience sometimes felt like a stretched version of the phone interface rather than a purpose-built tablet experience. By co-developing One UI 8 with the wider Fold in mind, Samsung appears to be addressing these pain points at the foundational level.

The Competitive Pressure Driving Samsung’s Ambitions

Samsung’s push toward a wider foldable doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Chinese competitors — most notably Honor, Huawei, and OnePlus — have been aggressively iterating on foldable designs that offer wider inner displays, thinner profiles, and increasingly competitive pricing. The Honor Magic V3, for instance, drew widespread praise for its remarkably thin design and wider unfolded display, putting pressure on Samsung to respond with more than incremental updates.

Google, too, has entered the fray with the Pixel Fold (now expected to evolve into the Pixel 9 Pro Fold line), which adopted a wider aspect ratio from its debut. Google’s decision validated what many in the industry had long argued: that a wider inner screen creates a more usable and immersive experience. Samsung, which has historically set the pace for foldable innovation, now finds itself in the unusual position of needing to catch up on a design philosophy that competitors embraced first.

What the Hardware Changes Could Look Like

While Samsung has not officially confirmed the wider Fold’s specifications, industry analysts and leakers have painted a picture of what to expect. The inner display could expand to somewhere in the range of 8 inches measured diagonally, with an aspect ratio closer to 4:3 or even 3:2 — a significant departure from the roughly 6:5 ratio of the current Fold 6’s inner screen. This would bring the unfolded experience closer to that of a compact iPad mini, a comparison Samsung would likely welcome.

The cover screen is also expected to benefit. One of the persistent criticisms of the Fold line has been the narrow, candy-bar-style front display, which makes one-handed typing and general navigation feel cramped. A wider overall chassis would naturally accommodate a broader cover screen, potentially approaching the dimensions of a standard smartphone display. This alone could be a significant selling point for consumers who have been intrigued by foldables but put off by the compromised front-screen experience.

Samsung’s Dual-Track Foldable Strategy

Reports from multiple outlets suggest that Samsung may pursue a dual-track strategy for its 2025 foldable lineup. Rather than replacing the existing Fold form factor entirely, Samsung could offer both a traditional-width Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the new wider variant side by side, giving consumers a choice. This approach would mirror what Samsung has done with its Galaxy S Ultra line — offering a premium, differentiated option for power users willing to pay a premium.

Such a strategy carries risks. Splitting the Fold lineup could fragment the accessory ecosystem, complicate marketing, and confuse consumers who are already uncertain about the value proposition of foldables. But it could also allow Samsung to test the wider form factor’s market reception without abandoning the established Fold design that has built a loyal, if niche, following over five generations.

The Software Story May Matter More Than the Hardware

For all the excitement around a wider display, industry insiders argue that One UI 8’s software optimizations could ultimately be more consequential than the hardware changes. Samsung has historically struggled to convince third-party developers to optimize their apps for foldable displays. Instagram, TikTok, and even some Google apps have offered subpar experiences on the Fold’s inner screen, with awkward letterboxing, misaligned UI elements, and poor use of available screen space.

With One UI 8, Samsung has an opportunity to leverage Android 16’s improved large-screen APIs and foldable-specific features to create a more seamless experience. Google has been steadily improving Android’s support for large and flexible screens, and Android 16 is expected to include enhanced window management, better app continuity between folded and unfolded states, and improved support for drag-and-drop between apps. If Samsung layers its own optimizations on top of these platform-level improvements, the result could be the first foldable software experience that truly feels native rather than adapted.

Timing, Pricing, and the Path to Market

Samsung typically unveils its new foldables at a Galaxy Unpacked event in the summer, with the last several generations launching in July. If the wider Fold variant is indeed in active testing with One UI 8, a mid-2025 announcement would align with Samsung’s established cadence. However, the introduction of a new form factor could push the wider model to a slightly later release window, potentially arriving in late Q3 or early Q4 2025.

Pricing remains one of the biggest unknowns. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 already commands a starting price of $1,899.99, making it one of the most expensive mainstream smartphones on the market. A wider variant with a larger display, new hinge engineering, and potentially upgraded internals could push past the $2,000 threshold — a psychological barrier that Samsung would need to justify with a meaningfully superior experience.

What This Means for the Foldable Market’s Future

If Samsung successfully executes a wider Galaxy Z Fold alongside a rebuilt software platform, the implications extend well beyond a single product launch. It would signal that the foldable category is entering its second act — moving from proof-of-concept novelty to genuine productivity and media tool. It would also raise the stakes for Apple, which is widely rumored to be developing its own foldable iPhone for 2026 or 2027. A wider, more capable Samsung Fold could set the benchmark that Apple will need to meet or exceed.

For now, the evidence remains circumstantial — firmware references, testing logs, and the whispers of leakers who have proven reliable in the past. But the picture they paint is consistent and increasingly detailed. Samsung appears to be preparing not just a new foldable phone, but a new vision for what foldable phones can be. Whether that vision resonates with consumers beyond the early-adopter crowd will depend on execution — and on whether One UI 8 can finally deliver the software experience that foldable hardware has long promised but never fully achieved.