Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold ‘Wide’ Model Revealed in First Look
▼ Summary
– Early One UI 9 builds have revealed animations confirming the visual design of Samsung’s rumored “Wide” Galaxy Z Fold.
– The animations are linked to the codename H8, which was previously associated with the model number SM-F971U for this device.
– This discovery provides the first real, Samsung-sourced look at the expected size and shape of the upcoming wider foldable phone.
– The phone’s presence in One UI 9 software suggests a potential launch alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Flip 8 this summer.
– This information comes from an APK teardown, meaning these features are based on in-progress code and may not reach a public release.
The tech world is buzzing with fresh evidence pointing to a significant expansion of Samsung’s foldable phone family. Early builds of the upcoming One UI 9 software have revealed new animations that provide our first official glimpse of the long-rumored “Wide” model of the Galaxy Z Fold. This discovery moves the device from speculative renders into the realm of confirmed development, offering a clearer picture of what Samsung has in store for its next-generation foldables.
For months, industry whispers and supply chain reports have suggested Samsung was preparing a wider variant of its flagship book-style foldable. While fan-made concepts offered some idea of the potential design, there was no concrete visual evidence from the company itself, until now. The newly surfaced animations, found within the software’s code, show a device with a noticeably broader external display and a different aspect ratio when unfolded compared to the current Galaxy Z Fold models.
Identifying this as the Wide Fold comes down to specific codenames embedded in the files. The animations are linked to the model number SM-F971U and the internal codename “H8,” which matches previous leaks about the device. Samsung has prepared both light and dark theme versions of the animation, though they are simple representations that omit details like the camera module design. The focus is squarely on showcasing the new, wider form factor.
This software-based reveal also provides a strong hint about the phone’s potential launch timeline. Its inclusion in One UI 9 builds suggests Samsung is preparing it for a debut alongside the anticipated Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Flip 8. A summer unveiling at one of the company’s Unpacked events now seems increasingly plausible. While the animations don’t show every hardware feature, they set a definitive expectation for the device’s proportions and confirm its active development status.
As the year progresses, more leaks and official teasers will likely fill in the remaining blanks about the Wide Fold’s specifications, camera system, and final design. For now, this peek into Samsung’s software confirms a key strategic move: the company is not just iterating on its existing foldables but actively broadening the lineup to cater to users seeking a different screen experience. The discovery underscores how software builds can serve as a treasure trove of information, revealing hardware plans long before a formal announcement.
(Source: Android Authority)
