Samsung is gearing up for a potential surprise launch, and the tech world is buzzing! The Korean tech giant might unveil a second brand-new foldable phone in the US this year, adding to the already impressive lineup of Galaxy Z devices. But what's the deal with this mysterious new phone? Let's unfold the details.
Samsung's foldable phone family is about to get bigger, with the upcoming Galaxy Z TriFold (https://www.tomsguide.com/phones/samsung-phones/samsung-galaxy-z-trifold-hands-on). However, recent discoveries suggest that Samsung might have another trick up its sleeve. SmartPrix (https://www.smartprix.com/bytes/exclusive-samsungs-mysterious-galaxy-z-fold-model-surfaces-in-gsma-database/) has spotted a new Samsung device in the GSMA IMEI database, bearing the model number SM-F971, indicating a possible fourth foldable phone release this year.
Now, let's decode the model number. The '9' in the model suggests a larger foldable device, aligning with the Galaxy Z Fold family. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 (SM-F966) and the Galaxy Z TriFold (SM-968) are prime examples of this numbering system. On the other hand, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 (https://www.tomsguide.com/phones/samsung-phones/samsung-galaxy-z-flip-7-hands-on-review-feels-like-flip-phone-perfection), a flip-style phone, starts with a '7'.
But here's where it gets interesting. The model numbers also hint at the phone's release regions. For instance, the code 'U1' indicates a release in the United States. According to the codes, Samsung's new foldable will be available in China, Canada, Korea, the U.S., and global markets.
So, how does this new phone compare to the Z Fold 8? Well, a leak from last year suggested that Samsung is working on a 'wide fold' model (https://www.tomsguide.com/phones/samsung-phones/forget-the-galaxy-z-trifold-samsung-is-reportedly-developing-a-wide-fold-to-take-on-apple-next-year). Many believe this is Samsung's response to the rumored iPhone Fold (https://www.tomsguide.com/phones/iphones/iphone-fold-heres-what-the-leaks-and-rumors-say-about-apples-alleged-upcoming-foldable-phone). Apple's foldable is said to have a 5.3-inch front screen and a 7.8-inch main display (https://www.tomsguide.com/phones/iphones/iphone-fold-specs-potentially-revealed-heres-how-it-would-stack-up-against-samsung-galaxy-z-fold-8), while the 'Wide Fold' is rumored to feature a 5.4-inch cover display and a 7.6-inch unfolded display. In contrast, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 has a 6.5-inch front screen and an 8-inch main display.
And this is the part most people miss: the new Samsung foldable is not just about size. It's designed with an 18:9 aspect ratio, which transforms into an 18:18 ratio when unfolded. This unique design was highlighted by leaker Ice Universe (https://x.com/UniverseIce/status/1965334923503718635), who revealed that the new Samsung foldable will be shorter and wider than the Galaxy Z Fold 8.
But why does the aspect ratio matter? The 21:9 ratio, rumored for the Galaxy Z Fold 8 (https://www.tomsguide.com/phones/samsung-phones/forget-samsung-galaxy-z-fold-7-here-are-three-rumored-upgrades-for-the-galaxy-z-fold-8), is an industry favorite as it mimics the human field of vision, enhancing immersion for movies (https://www.tomsguide.com/phones/android-phones/i-used-a-samsung-foldable-for-streaming-my-favorite-shows-heres-what-happened) and games (https://www.tomsguide.com/phones/samsung-phones/i-tried-playing-xbox-on-my-foldable-phone-without-a-controller-it-didnt-go-as-planned). However, the 18:18 ratio offers a more focused and distraction-free experience, ideal for social media and content editing.
So, the choice is yours: a wider, more social media-friendly foldable or a traditional 21:9 ratio for the ultimate media experience? What's your take on this? Would you prefer a squarer foldable phone, or should Samsung focus on making foldable technology more accessible and affordable?
Stay tuned for more tech insights and don't forget to follow Tom's Guide on Google News (https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqKAgKIiJDQklTRXdnTWFnOEtEWFJ2YlhObmRXbGtaUzVqYjIwb0FBUAE) to catch all the latest updates, reviews, and analyses.
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Josh, a UK-based staff writer for Tom's Guide, brings his expertise in mobile phones and a passion for video games, novels, and Warhammer to the table.
