Samsung preps wider fold: apple, take notice?

Samsung is quietly reshaping its foldable strategy, and the implications for Apple’s rumored foldable iPhone are already rippling through the tech world. New firmware discoveries suggest a significant shift in the Galaxy Z Wide Fold’s design – one that could steal Apple’s thunder before the iPhone even hits the market.

A 4:3 display: a tablet-like shift

Deep within One UI 9 firmware for the SM-F971B (widely believed to be the Galaxy Z Wide Fold) lie images revealing a 4:3 aspect ratio for the device’s inner display. This is a stark contrast to the nearly square 1.11:1 ratio of the Galaxy Z Fold 7. To put it plainly, Samsung is aiming for a noticeably wider, more tablet-like experience.

For years, foldable displays have struggled to fully bridge the gap between smartphone portability and tablet productivity. The Z Fold line has incrementally widened, but the core design remained stubbornly square. A 4:3 aspect ratio – the same used by iPads – fundamentally alters that equation. Suddenly, split-screen multitasking, video consumption, and web browsing become dramatically more comfortable. The shift is not merely cosmetic; it’s a rethinking of the foldable’s core purpose.

The timing, of course, is anything but coincidental. Apple's own foldable iPhone is heavily rumored to adopt a similar 4:3 aspect ratio. Samsung, never one to shy away from a competitive jab, appears to be preempting Apple’s move – and potentially offering a more polished execution.

But here's the kicker: this isn't merely following Apple's lead. The 4:3 ratio is a format many users have clamored for in foldables, a desire Google seemingly ignored with the narrower Pixel Fold. Samsung, recognizing this demand, is delivering. And if early rumors of nearly crease-free displays are accurate, the Wide Fold could be a truly compelling package, further amplified by the expected Android 14 and One UI 9.

Samsung’s history with chasing Apple’s innovations is well-documented – the Galaxy S25 Edge springs to mind. But this feels different. This feels like a calculated risk, a recognition that the market is ready for a more tablet-centric foldable, and Samsung is betting that it can deliver it first.

The Wide Fold's success hinges on more than just aspect ratio. A seamless software experience and, critically, a minimized crease will be vital. But if Samsung can pull it off, the Galaxy Z Wide Fold could force a serious rethink of Apple’s foldable strategy – and reshape the entire landscape of mobile computing.