Galaxy Z Fold 8 (Broad): In abstract
- Samsung is tipped to launch a wider foldable in 2026
- More likely to arrive in the course of the 22 July Samsung Unpacked occasion forward of the iPhone Extremely foldable
- Regardless of preliminary rumours, the telephone would possibly launch as merely the ‘Galaxy Z Fold 8’
- The squat design extra carefully resembles a pill when open
- There might solely be two rear-facing cameras
- A thicker, extra sturdy glass might be used for the interior show
2026 is shaping as much as be a giant yr for Samsung. We’ve already had the Galaxy S26 sequence of telephones, which introduced alongside the industry-first Privateness Show courtesy of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Extremely, and now we’re set to have the very first in what may be a protracted line of latest foldables from the model.
We’ll nonetheless be getting a standard book-style foldable telephone within the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, alongside the clamshell-designed Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8, however the place issues get fascinating is with the much-leaked Samsung Galaxy Z Fold Broad, which can undertake a squat-like body that appears like a wide-screen pill when unfolded.
Such a design isn’t precisely new, as we’ve seen it adopted by the likes of the Huawei Pura X Max, but it surely ought to make the telephone significantly better suited to leisure. Though it’s nice to see Samsung making an attempt its hand at a brand new vertical, the timing of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold Broad is essentially a results of the upcoming iPhone Extremely – Apple’s first-ever foldable which is about to debut later this yr.
Whereas there’s nonetheless rather a lot that we don’t know concerning the iPhone Extremely, the identical can’t be stated for the Z Fold Broad which has had a considerable quantity of leaks within the run-up to launch.
Now that the anticipated reveal of the telephone isn’t too distant, we’ve a reasonably stable image of what the telephone will characteristic. It’s a really fascinating prospect which will enchantment to those that have but to embrace the foldable world, though we are able to see simply as many long-time foldable followers having points with a few of the compromises which have been made with the intention to accommodate the brand new design.
In the event you’re curious to see all that we all know to this point concerning the Galaxy Z Fold Broad then carry on studying to catch the newest leaks and rumours.
Will the Z Fold Broad have a distinct identify?
Provided that that is the primary of, probably, a brand new sequence of telephones for Samsung (if it doesn’t incur the identical destiny because the Galaxy S25 Edge), you’d assume that the corporate would need to make its inauguration a seamless one, with a transparent understanding delivered to customers over the way it differs from the extra conventional Z Fold 8 that it’ll debut alongside.
Nicely, if some of the current rumours seems to be on the cash, then Samsung may be making the method much more tough than it actually must be.
From what we are able to collect, it appears as if Samsung may be trying to have the Galaxy Z Fold Broad launch because the Galaxy Z Fold 8, successfully changing into the direct successor to the Z Fold 7 regardless of having a really totally different design and bearing one much less digital camera lens on the again. In the event you’re questioning the place that leaves the opposite telephone, the one which all of us assumed could be referred to as the Z Fold 8 then concern not, Samsung hasn’t left it out within the chilly because it might be rebranded because the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Extremely.
Provided that so many manufacturers at the moment are utilizing the ‘Extremely’ moniker with telephones just like the Oppo Discover X9 Extremely and the Vivo X300 Extremely, it’s comprehensible that Samsung would need to hop aboard the bandwagon, however that affiliation usually comes with the understanding that you just’re paying much more in return for the kind of specs that signify large leaps ahead, to the purpose the place you gained’t be left wanting for something.
From what we’ve heard to this point, although, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Extremely simply doesn’t appear to suit that invoice, showing to be extra of a modest improve on the Z Fold 7 than a whole reinvention of the line-up. To not point out that the vast mannequin will probably be a a lot nearer rival to the iPhone Extremely, Apple’s first foldable telephone.
Till confirmed, we’re going to maintain calling it the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Broad to keep away from any confusion.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
When will the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Broad be launched?
In abstract
- 22 July is the anticipated launch date
- A number of rumours counsel that is when the subsequent Unpacked occasion will happen
- More likely to launch similtaneously the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Extremely and Z Flip 8
Regardless that we’re nonetheless awaiting an official affirmation from Samsung as to when the Z Fold 8 Broad would possibly seem, all indicators level in direction of 22 July as being the date that the corporate has in thoughts.
Rumours of a Samsung Unpacked occasion scheduled for July have been floating round for months, however the twenty second has been touted by a handful of shops now, together with Seoul Financial Every day which has a wonderful monitor file on all issues Samsung.
As if all that wasn’t sufficient to persuade you, it now appears as if Samsung itself has inadvertently confirmed the date through a pre-order incentive listed by means of Samsung Malaysia. The deal in query permits customers of the Samsung Members app to obtain RM700 (roughly £130/$170) off the value of the model’s subsequent foldable telephone. Such a reduction isn’t out of the unusual for Samsung, however what’s telling is that, in line with the superb print, the supply doesn’t kick in till 22 July, which just about confirms that that’s after we’ll be seeing the telephone in addition to different gadgets that Samsung has within the pipeline.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
For context, listed here are the discharge dates of earlier telephones within the Galaxy Z Fold sequence:
- Samsung Galaxy Fold – September 2019
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 – September 2020
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 – August 2021
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 – August 2022
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 – August 2023
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 – July 2024
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 – July 2025
Sources: ET Information | Korea Financial TV | Seoul Financial Every day
How a lot will the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Broad price?
In abstract
- No concrete worth particulars but
- The telephone may be cheaper than the Z Fold 8 Extremely
That is the place issues get fascinating. Regardless that there aren’t any main rumours floating round concerning the precise worth of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Broad, we might be stunned if it wasn’t made accessible as a extra inexpensive different to the taller Z Fold 8 Extremely.
The explanation, so far as we are able to inform, is that Samsung has needed to take away just a few options from this wider foldable with the intention to accommodate the totally different design.
The issue is that, given current worth rises to each the Galaxy S26 vary and present Samsung telephones in Korea, together with the Z Fold 7, the Z Fold 8 Extremely is sort of assured to come back in at a better worth than its predecessor.
Whether or not meaning the Z Fold 8 Broad then adopts the unique £1,799/$1999.99 worth of the Z Fold 7 stays to be seen.
To get some concept of the value bracket the Z Fold 8 Broad will probably be working with, right here’s the value historical past for earlier Z Fold handsets:
- Samsung Galaxy Fold – £1,900/$1,980
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 – £1,799/$1,999
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 – £1,599/$1,799
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 – £1,649/$1,799
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 – £1,749/$1,799
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 – £1,799/$1,899
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 – £1,799/$1,999
What specs and options will the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Broad have?
In abstract
- The vast design makes the telephone really feel extra like a standard pill
- More likely to have a bigger 4800mAh battery
- Sooner 45W charging speeds might be on the desk
- No telephoto lens, with simply two rear-facing cameras
- Might miss out on a 200Mp predominant digital camera for a 50Mp different
- Could shoot at 24Mp natively
- A thicker, extra sturdy glass on the interior show
An entire new design philosophy
Initially noticed as ‘SM-F971U’ on the GSMA product database, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Broad is now far past being merely a touch that Samsung may be engaged on a brand new vertical, because it’s grow to be some of the leaked telephones in current reminiscence. Whereas it most likely isn’t nice for anybody at Samsung who wished to carry on to the ingredient of shock, it does imply that we’ve a much better understanding of what the corporate is making an attempt to attain with this new telephone.
As a result of it’s a shorter, extra squared-off machine, the Z Fold 8 Broad brings again recollections of utilizing the Blackberry Passport when closed, however when open, it’s designed to really feel much more like a standard, wide-screen pill within the hand. This could enable the Broad to carry out higher as an leisure machine, as conventional book-style foldables do incorporate some very heavy bordering when streaming a little bit of Netflix on their interior shows.
Credit score: Onleaks, Android Headlines
Though it’s good to have a distinct fashion of foldable because it’ll imply extra client selection, it’s very straightforward to see the Z Fold 8 Broad as a method of beating the iPhone Extremely to market, Apple’s first-ever foldable, which is claimed to utilise an identical design.
From what we all know to this point, the Z Fold 8 Broad will weigh in at 201g, making it 14g lighter than the prevailing Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7. It’s anticipated to be 4.5mm skinny when unfolded, which is only a tad greater than the 4.2mm thickness of the Fold 7 in the identical state.
The precise look of the Z Fold 8 Broad is not left as much as the creativeness both because of a number of leaks, together with one from a supposed Samsung worker. On the latter level, a Korean information outlet noticed a wide-looking Samsung foldable out within the wild, being utilized by somebody at a restaurant. Though that is more likely to be a growth unit and the ultimate design will virtually actually change, it does give us a tough concept of what the machine will really feel like within the hand, because it suits extra comfortably when closed.
DCInside
Whereas the snaps of that real-life encounter with the Fold are a bit on the grainy facet, the identical can’t be stated for dummy models posted to X of each the Fold Broad and its bigger sibling. These pictures present the peak disparity between the gadgets, and supply a more in-depth look of how the Z Fold 8 Broad sits when held one-handed.
Due to the taller side ratio of the Z Fold 8 Extremely, it’s straightforward to think about how that telephone would possibly work higher for multitasking and typing when unfolded, whereas the Z Fold 8 Broad will probably be extra preferable to customers who recreation and stream on their telephones.
More moderen renders showcase the colourways that we are able to anticipate to see from the Z Fold 8 Broad, in addition to the official circumstances that Samsung will probably be launching with the telephone. There are a complete of 4 colourways: Cream, Graphite, Lavender and Pistachio (the primary two of which it shares with the Fold 8 Extremely).
Credit score: Android Headlines
Of the choices proven, the Lavender and Pistachio choices stand out for having a extra putting coat of paint, and it’s possible that they’ll be used within the advertising of the telephone to assist it stand out in opposition to the Z Fold 8 Extremely, which has opted for a extra subdued, virtually business-like set of colors.
Now that we’re closing in on the revealing of the Z Fold 8 Broad, Samsung itself has began to trace on the new design through a sequence of teaser movies which have been revealed on-line. The movies in query present varied objects which have had their top lowered, like a bar of chocolate, to tackle a extra squat body. A number of the movies have included the tagline “Daring stroke. New Form”, so any concepts that the Z Fold 8 Broad might need been nothing greater than a giant hoax are firmly out the window.
Screenshot
Samsung
By way of the construct itself, it seems that the Z Fold 8 Broad will probably be utilizing a thicker and extra sturdy glass on the inner show. In keeping with leaks, the Broad is anticipated to have a 60μm-thick model of Extremely-thin glass, whereas the usual Fold 8 different may have a thinner 45μm UTG glass, which is identical as what’s at the moment featured on the Z Fold 7.
Having a thicker glass put in ought to profit the Z Fold 8 Broad on two fronts. First, it ought to make the inside crease much less seen, placing the machine extra in keeping with the current Oppo Discover N6 that boasts a near-invisible crease. This has lengthy been a problem for Samsung’s foldables, as simply a Z Fold/Flip display screen from a barely side-on angle tends to disclose the crease fairly rapidly.
The opposite profit is that the display screen itself ought to be extra immune to scratches and common put on and tear, which is one other factor that has plagued foldables of all varieties for years now. There’s a draw back to all this, nonetheless, in {that a} thicker show would possibly deteriorate on the crease sooner than a thinner different, so right here’s hoping that Samsung has put within the work to ensure that the machine can stand up to a considerable quantity of use.
Sources: Smartprix | ET Information | Ice Universe | Android Headlines (2) (3) | SamMobile | Techmaniacs | DCInside | ZDNetKorea
An unlucky digital camera downgrade
As keen as we’re to get our fingers on Samsung’s new foldable, there may be one fly within the ointment which will scare off potential adopters. Very like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge, the Z Fold 8 Broad will solely have two rear-facing cameras, ditching the telephoto lens fully.
Provided that foldables have usually struggled to compete with the digital camera set-ups of conventional candybar-style flagship telephones, this might be a notable step backwards except Samsung can deploy some spectacular computational processing to choose up the slack.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
The state of affairs solely will get worse as more moderen rumours now have it that the 2 sensors on the again will probably be a 50Mp vast and a 50Mp ultra-wide, that means that the telephone can even be ditching the primary 200Mp sensor that the Z Fold 7 pinched from the Galaxy S25 Extremely. If this finally ends up being the case, that’s a reasonably paltry excuse for a telephone that’s assured to be nearer to £2000/$2000.
On the very least, it now appears as if the primary 50Mp will take photographs at a 24Mp decision by default and with out the necessity of the Digital camera Help perform which will be put in through Samsung’s Good Lock infrastructure. A variety of smartphone cameras, despite the fact that they boast excessive megapixel counts, are likely to seize pictures at 12Mp except prompted in any other case, with the intent of saving on storage, so it does appear as if Samsung goes to essentially push these cameras in order that customers can take advantage of them.
Supply: Techmaniacs | Ice Universe
Improved charging and battery life
On the very least, whereas the Z Fold 8 Broad’s cameras depart lots to be desired, there are more likely to be just a few upgrades within the battery division that ought to have a constructive impact on on a regular basis use. For starters, the battery itself may be a bigger 4800mAh cell, which is a notable improve on the 4400mAh equal of the Z Fold 7.
Working in tandem with that elevated battery dimension are sooner 45W charging speeds. Samsung has been pretty stingy with battery upgrades in its telephones as of late (simply take a look at the just about unchanged Galaxy S26+), but it surely’s good to see that that hasn’t been the case right here, notably as foldables want a good battery life that can assist you take advantage of their bigger screens.
Supply: Techmaniacs
A Snapdragon chipset underneath the hood
As a rule, it’s a little bit of a guessing recreation in the case of Samsung and making an attempt to determine which chipsets it plans to make use of in any given yr. The fixed tug of conflict between the corporate’s own-brand Exynos chips and the newest Qualcomm Snapdragon CPUs feels endless, particularly as we just lately noticed as a lot with the worldwide launch of the Galaxy S26 vary which had differing chipsets relying on their area.
Fortunately, issues are a bit extra in line with the Z Fold vary because it usually sticks with having a Qualcomm chip, and that appears to be the case right here.
Luke Baker
After an look on FCC databases, we now know that the Z Fold 8 Broad may have a Snapdragon chip of some selection; we simply don’t know precisely which one, however the expectation is that it’ll have the newest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor. Something lower than that can solely put the telephone at a drawback in opposition to related flagships.
Info from these databases additionally exhibits that the telephone may have Wi-Fi 7 and NB-NTN satellite tv for pc connectivity, which ought to assist customers in a pinch after they can’t connect with their community.
That’s all we all know concerning the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Broad for now, however as talked about earlier, we’ll preserve our ears to the bottom for any extra information within the coming days and weeks to maintain this text up to date.