Wide Foldable Phones Become the Next Big Battleground
Wide foldable phones are quickly emerging as the next major battleground in the premium foldable segment. Huawei effectively kicked off this race with the Pura X Max, showing that a book-style device can unfold into a truly tablet-like canvas. Samsung is now doubling down on the idea, reportedly planning not just a standard Galaxy Z Fold 8 but also a Z Fold 8 Wide with a 7.6-inch internal display and a 4:3, passport-style aspect ratio optimized for productivity and media use. This split strategy suggests Samsung expects tablet foldable designs to attract a growing slice of power users, especially as more brands challenge its long-standing dominance. With Apple’s rumored iPhone Ultra foldable also on the horizon, the market is moving beyond experimental devices toward clearer form-factor specialization, and wide designs are becoming central to that shift.
Vivo Focuses on Crease Control for a More Refined Fold
Vivo appears poised to respond aggressively with the upcoming X Fold 6, which is tipped to significantly improve foldable phone crease performance. According to leaks, the device aims to address one of the most persistent complaints about book-style foldables: the visible and tactile foldable phone crease that disrupts both visuals and touch interaction. Vivo is reportedly positioning the X Fold 6 as its most imaging-focused foldable yet, while also treating it as a platform to refine its hinge and display engineering. Behind the scenes, the company is said to be gradually pivoting its foldable roadmap toward wider book-style designs, aligning more closely with tablet foldable design trends seen in Samsung’s Z Fold 8 Wide. If Vivo can combine top-tier cameras with a less intrusive crease, it could become a serious Samsung Galaxy Z Fold competitor for users who prioritize both photography and immersive, tablet-like viewing.
Honor Bets on a Tablet-First Experience with a Wider Form Factor
Honor is taking the long view, working on a wide foldable phone that prioritizes a horizontal, tablet-like experience when unfolded. A leaked image shows a device with a wider form factor, triple rear cameras, and a secondary display on the back, hinting at a design that emphasizes both versatility and quick-glance interactions when closed. When opened, the device is expected to deliver a tablet-style interface optimized for landscape media consumption, multitasking, and possibly stylus-friendly use cases. However, Honor’s timeline is notably conservative: current reports suggest a launch in the first quarter of 2027. That slow rollout means Honor will enter a market already shaped by Samsung’s dual Fold strategy, Vivo’s X Fold evolution, and potentially Apple’s first foldable. Honor is effectively betting that by the time it arrives, wide foldable phones will be mature enough that superior design and software tuning can still differentiate its entry.
Crease Technology and Design Differentiation Define the Next Phase
As more brands converge on tablet foldable designs, simply offering a bigger screen is no longer enough. The quality of the foldable phone crease—how visible it is, how smooth it feels, and how it holds up over time—is becoming a core differentiator. Samsung’s decision to create a Z Fold 8 Wide variant underscores that aspect ratio, hinge mechanics, and display layering are now strategic levers, not just engineering details. Vivo’s emphasis on refined crease control in the X Fold 6 directly targets this pain point, while Honor’s wider layout and rear secondary display show how hardware layout can shape everyday usability. With Huawei already in the mix and Apple rumored to join with the iPhone Ultra foldable, the next wave of competition will be decided by who can best blend minimal-crease displays, durable hinges, and thoughtful wide-screen software into a cohesive, premium experience.