Samsung has been working on a new device category with its latest One UI 9 leak. The “WideFoldModel” flag in the firmware indicates that this device will support “foldable type landscape fold” behavior, which means it will have a hinge that unfolds horizontally rather than vertically.
The device is codenamed H8 and has model number SM-F971U. It appears alongside the standard Galaxy Z Fold 8 (Q8) and Galaxy Z Flip 8 in Samsung’s internal software pipeline. CAD-based renders show the device to be shorter, wider, and proportioned more like a conventional smartphone when closed.
The software team is writing distinct logic for the hinge that unfolds horizontally rather than vertically. One UI already adjusts navigation bars, taskbars, camera previews, and split-screen defaults based on device class. A dedicated WideFoldModel category means this device will have different UI behavior compared to any Fold before it.
Firmware builds contain animation assets for three distinct foldable silhouettes: the Flip 8, the Fold 8, and a third form clearly proportioned differently from both. The code also includes a “Foreign Material Detection” feature that triggers a warning when the phone fails to fold completely, prompting the user to check for debris before screen damage occurs.
The device’s dimensions are estimated at 123.9 x 161.4 x 4.9mm unfolded and 123.9 x 82.2 x 9.8mm folded, with a 5.4-inch cover display and a 7.6-inch inner screen. The evidence builds sequentially: code confirms a new device category, firmware builds confirm active parallel development, and renders confirm the proportions.
Samsung has been working towards this for a while, with the Galaxy Z Fold 7 moving to a wider proportion in its design. The underlying problem is screen-area distribution, not diagonal size. By shifting to a 6:5-style ratio, devices like the Wide Fold will have better content utilization and usability.
When the Wide Fold ships, three numbers to watch include:
* Closed usability: The device’s folded width approaches conventional flagship territory.
* Open media fit: The difference between screen utilization percentages will be visible in every streaming session.
* Multitasking width: A wider inner display would unlock two-column productivity apps automatically.
The comparison with the standard Galaxy Z Fold 8 reveals Samsung’s direction. The Wide Fold takes an entirely new approach, with a shorter and wider design. The device is expected to ship with One UI 9, along with the standard Fold 8, and pricing has been estimated at around $2,000.
When Samsung’s Unpacked event arrives, watch for:
* Real-world handling of the folded width
* How One UI 9 assigns app layouts on the wider inner panel
* Samsung’s marketing focus on cover screen usability
Source: https://samsung.gadgethacks.com/news/samsung-galaxy-z-fold-8-wide-leak-what-the-code-reveals