Summary
- Samsung is now rumoured to launch a new Galaxy Z Fold model alongside the Z Fold 8 book-style fold in 2026.
- The mysterious phone has surfaced on the GSMA database with the SM F971U model number.
- It is expected to launch as a new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold with different hardware and shorter and wider form factor.
It is no surprise that in 2026, Samsung will introduce the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and the Z Flip 8. While 2025 became the year when the brand launched three new foldables with the inclusion of a new Flip 7 FE model. Now, it looks like Samsung might surprise all with a new book-style Galaxy Z Fold model aside from the expected Z Fold 8 phone.
Two new Galaxy Z Fold models could launch in 2026
Spotted by tech publication Smartprix, the new Samsung foldable phone has been listed on the GSMA database with the SM F971U SKU and the internal codename of "H8". This indicates that the South Korean brand is planning to launch a new Galaxy Z Fold smartphone in 2026, along with the expected Galaxy Z Fold 8 model.
For context, Samsung has historically used the SM-F9 starting model number value for its book-style foldable. The Flip, on the other hand, carries the SM -F7 starting value. Hence, it is clear that the new phone, which has surfaced online, is indeed a Galaxy Z Fold smartphone.
However, it is completely different from the Galaxy Z Fold 8 model, which bears the SM-F976 model number with the Q8 codename. The publication believes that the new Z Fold will mark the beginning of a new kind of book-style foldable from Samsung.
One of the key areas where both phones will differ is in their form factor. Unlike the regular Galaxy Z Fold 8, the SM-F971U model is said to be shorter and wider. This means that the smartphone will feature a lower vertical height compared to the Galaxy Z Fold and will offer an 18:18 square screen real estate horizontally. In a way, the smartphone might resemble the 2023 Google Pixel Fold a lot.
Aside from the change in form, the yet-to-be-confirmed model is also said to feature different peripherals than those of the Galaxy Z Fold 8. The publication has not explicitly mentioned the specs of the new smartphone.
That said, at the time of writing, we only have the GSMA listing to go by. So, take this development with a grain of salt. Samsung is already expected to launch its debut Tri-Fold by 2025 end. With Apple expected to launch its debut folding iPhone, Samsung might want to stay prepared with two new and different kinds of folding phones to cover all of its bases.
Source
Smartprix
