[News] Samsung Reportedly Eyes Another Wide Fold for 2027 After Fold8 Success; Memory Costs Still Weigh on Mobile

Samsung is reportedly preparing another “wide fold” model for next year as demand for the form factor gains traction. According to ETNews, industry sources say the company has initiated two wide-fold development projects for the Galaxy Z9 series and shared the plans with suppliers. Alongside a tri-fold smartphone reportedly under development, the new wide-fold model would bring Samsung’s foldable lineup to five models next year, adding two models to this year’s Flip, Fold, and Fold Ultra lineup.

The expansion follows strong demand for the Fold8. As noted by ETNews, the model accounted for 70% of domestic Galaxy Z8 series pre-orders, helping the lineup reach a record 1.44 million pre-orders, up 39% from 1.09 million for its predecessor and the highest ever for a Samsung smartphone.

Building on that momentum, the new wide-fold model could take the form factor in a different direction. As noted by AppStory, industry observers speculate that the device could adopt an aspect ratio closer to 16:9 or 16:10, making it better suited for full-screen video viewing than the Galaxy Z Fold8’s current 4:3-style display.

Despite the strong foldable momentum, the near-term earnings outlook for Samsung’s mobile business remains mixed. According to Sisa Journal, the success of the Galaxy Z8 series is raising expectations for Samsung Electronics’ mobile revenue growth but is unlikely to drive a full-scale recovery in the broader DX (Device Experience) division this year. Analysts expect rising memory semiconductor prices to keep manufacturing costs elevated in 2H26, with a meaningful recovery in the MX (Mobile Experience) business not expected until next year.

Foldable Momentum Reportedly Drives Samsung Display’s OLED Expansion

Meanwhile, the momentum in Samsung’s foldable business is also extending to its display operations. According to News1, Samsung Display is reportedly moving to expand OLED production capacity in Asan, South Chungcheong Province. Sources say the company approved structural work for the new Asan Plant 2 (A7) at an investment review committee meeting on August 7. Construction is set to begin in earnest next year, with completion targeted for early 2028.

News1 adds that the expansion is widely seen as linked to growing foldable smartphone demand, with Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold8 estimated to have received around 4.7 million–5.2 million pre-orders. Expectations for further display market growth are also rising ahead of Apple’s anticipated entry into foldables, with some observers expecting Samsung Display to exclusively supply panels for Apple’s rumored foldable iPhone Ultra.

Read more

• [News] Samsung Unveils Galaxy Z Fold8 Lineup; Flagships Feature TSMC 3nm Chips, Price Hikes Reach US$100
• [News] Apple Reportedly Plans Glass-Heavy 2027 iPhone Pro amid Design Scrap Rumors; Samsung Adds 1M Fold 8 Units

(Photo credit: Samsung)