The smartphone battle is about to get really interesting! While Apple is busy preparing to launch its very first foldable iPhone in 2026, Samsung isn’t sitting around waiting. The Korean tech giant is reportedly cooking up something special that could steal Apple’s thunder before the iPhone Fold even hits the shelves.
According to fresh reports from Korean news outlet ET News, Samsung is working on a brand-new foldable phone that’s totally different from anything they’ve made before. Forget the Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip series you know – this one’s called the “Wide Fold,” and it’s designed specifically to go head-to-head with Apple’s upcoming foldable device.
What Makes the Wide Fold Different?
Here’s where it gets exciting. Samsung’s current foldable phones are tall and narrow, kind of like unfolding a long rectangular book. But the Wide Fold? It’s going wider – think more like opening a passport or a square notebook. And guess what? This is exactly the same design Apple is rumoured to be working on for their foldable iPhone.
The Wide Fold is expected to pack a 7.6-inch OLED screen on the inside when you unfold it, and a 5.4-inch display on the outside when it’s closed. The inner screen will have a 4:3 aspect ratio, which basically means it’ll look and feel more natural when you’re reading articles, editing documents, watching videos, or scrolling through your photo gallery. No more weirdly stretched apps that look awkward on tall screens!
What’s really interesting is that Apple’s foldable iPhone is rumoured to have almost identical specs – a 7.8-inch inner display and a 5.5-inch outer screen. It’s like both companies came to the same conclusion about what users actually want.
The Race to Launch in 2026
Now here’s where the competition heats up. Samsung is apparently aiming to launch the Wide Fold in fall 2026 – the exact same time Apple is expected to unveil its first foldable iPhone in September 2026. Talk about perfect timing!
Neither company has officially confirmed these dates yet, and we’re still waiting for more juicy details beyond the basic design and screen specs. But if these reports are accurate, Samsung might just beat Apple to the punch with a similar form factor.
Interestingly, Google and Oppo actually tried this wider design in their early foldable phones but then went back to more traditional shapes. So why are Samsung and Apple both betting on this format now? It seems they believe the market is finally ready for it.
How Much Will It Cost?
Brace yourself – these premium foldables won’t come cheap. While Samsung hasn’t announced official pricing for the Wide Fold, experts expect it to be priced similarly to the Galaxy Z Fold 7, which launched in India at Rs 1,74,999.
Apple, being Apple, is reportedly planning to price its foldable iPhone even higher – around $2,400, which translates to approximately Rs 2,15,000 in India. Ouch! But then again, early adopters of cutting-edge tech are usually willing to pay premium prices.
A Game-Changing Year Ahead
If everything goes according to plan, 2026 could be a massive year for foldable smartphones. We’ll have Apple finally entering the foldable market (something fans have been waiting for forever), and Samsung responding with a completely redesigned device that breaks away from their current foldable formula.
The Wide Fold will join Samsung’s growing family of innovative foldables, which recently expanded with the Galaxy Z Trifold that launched earlier this month. Samsung clearly isn’t taking any chances and wants to maintain its position as the leader in foldable technology.
The Bottom Line
This showdown between Samsung and Apple in the foldable space is shaping up to be epic. With both companies targeting similar designs, launch timelines, and premium pricing, consumers will be the real winners. More competition means better products, more innovation, and hopefully, more affordable options down the line.
