Samsung's two-pronged foldable strategy is spawning imitators. Vivo and Honor are both developing wide-format foldable phones to compete with the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide, according to leaks from tipsters Smart Pikachu and Guan Tongxue GiM.
Samsung plans to launch two foldables later this year: a standard Galaxy Z Fold 8 with an 8-inch internal display and a Z Fold 8 Wide with a 7.6-inch screen in a 4:3 "passport-style" aspect ratio for a more tablet-like experience. Both run on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip and pack 5,000 mAh batteries. The strategy signals that Samsung sees the wider form factor as the next battleground in foldables.
Vivo's response could come first. Tipster Smart Pikachu claims the Vivo X Fold 6 will feature noticeably improved crease performance, a persistent pain point for book-style foldables. The device is reportedly being developed as Vivo's most imaging-focused foldable yet, and the company may gradually shift its entire foldable lineup toward wider designs going forward. Whether a wide Vivo model launches this year remains unclear.
Honor's timeline is more distant. The company has been working on a wide foldable phone for an extended period. A leaked image shows a device with a triple-camera setup, a secondary rear display, and a wider form factor that offers a horizontal tablet-like experience when unfolded. Current rumors point to a launch in the first quarter of 2027. The timing puts all three Android brands on a collision course with Apple. The iPhone Ultra, reportedly Apple's first foldable device, is expected to launch in September.
Samsung's Z Fold 8 series is rumored for a July unveiling. Vivo's X Fold 6 is targeting a Q2 2026 debut.
Honor's wide foldable won't arrive until early 2027. The wide foldable race started with Huawei's Pura X Max, but Samsung's decision to split its flagship lineup into standard and wide variants is forcing competitors to respond. Vivo and Honor are now placing their bets on the same form factor, betting that wider screens and better crease tech can win over users waiting for Apple's entry.
