Samsung Electronics plans to produce more units of its first wide-format foldable smartphone, featuring a 4:3 aspect ratio, than any other model in its foldable and flip-phone lineup this year. The arrival of Apple's foldable iPhone is expected to accelerate a broader shift toward 4:3 displays in the foldable smartphone market.
Industry sources said July 19 that Samsung had set a display-panel production target of about 2.8 million units for the Fold8, also known as the Wide Fold, and shared the plan with suppliers. The target for the Fold8 Ultra is about 2 million panels, while the Flip model is expected to account for about 1.5 million.
Samsung is expected to rename its existing book-style Fold model the “Ultra” beginning this year. The company will introduce a separate wide-format model with a 4:3 aspect ratio under the Fold8 name.
The Fold8 is expected to be positioned below the Fold8 Ultra, with a smaller display and two rear cameras, one fewer than the current Fold model.
The Fold8 will be Samsung's first “passport-style” foldable smartphone. It is reported to feature a 5.4-inch outer display and a 7.6-inch inner display. The 4:3 format is designed to feel more like holding an open book or notebook and to display web pages and photos with less cropping.
Samsung typically produces about 5.5 million finished Galaxy Z foldable devices for its second-half product launch each year. Production reportedly surpassed 6 million units last year following strong sales of the Fold7. This year's output is expected to range from 5.5 million to 6 million finished devices.
Samsung had initially assigned similar production shares to the Fold8 and Fold8 Ultra during the first three months of manufacturing. The initial plan appeared designed to give the company room to gauge demand for both models and adjust output according to sales.
The company has since allocated a larger share of its full-year production to the Fold8. The higher target suggests Samsung expects demand for the new 4:3 model to exceed demand for both the existing 18:20 Fold format and the clamshell-style Flip.
The foldable smartphone market is expected to shift rapidly toward 4:3 displays as Apple, one of the most influential companies in global smartphone design, prepares to enter the segment.
Apple is expected to unveil its first foldable iPhone with a 4:3 aspect ratio in September. The device is reported to have a 5.35-inch outer display and a 7.58-inch inner display.
Apple's entry will put the company in direct competition with Samsung, which pioneered the modern foldable smartphone market. Industry estimates put shipments of Apple's foldable iPhone at about 10 million units.
“Apple has enormous influence across the technology industry, and its adoption of a 4:3 foldable format is effectively being treated as a market standard,” an industry official said. “Competition in the foldable smartphone market is likely to center on 4:3 models.”
Samsung is scheduled to unveil three foldable smartphones, including the model with a 4:3 display, at an Unpacked event on July 22.
