As Apple prepares to enter the foldable smartphone arena with its highly anticipated iPhone Fold, Samsung finds itself in a unique position. The company is simultaneously pushing the boundaries with experimental foldables like the Galaxy Z TriFold and exploring new design concepts, while also facing criticism for some of its recent releases. This moment calls for a strategic balance between ambitious innovation and delivering polished, mainstream-friendly devices that retain Samsung's leadership in the rapidly evolving foldable market.
The Foldable Market at a Crossroads
There is much speculation around Apple's potential to swiftly capture the foldable market shortly after its debut. Although many industry experts and research firms anticipate this shift, skepticism remains. Samsung, the current global leader in foldables, is expected to leverage its expansive Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip lines to maintain its dominance. However, some recent product strategies, such as the Galaxy S25 Edge and the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE, have drawn criticism for their questionable placement and limited availability, raising concerns over Samsung's focus and execution.
Innovative Experiments vs. Market Viability
Samsung continues to experiment boldly, evidenced by the Galaxy Z TriFold — a futuristic device that unfolds into a nearly 10-inch tablet form factor. While visually impressive and technically innovative, the TriFold faces challenges in appealing to the mass market due to its size, price, and novelty. This raises the question of whether this experimental approach diverts Samsung's attention from refining and streamlining its core foldable offerings.
Looking Ahead: Two Book-Style Foldables in 2026?
Rumors suggest Samsung may pursue a dual foldable strategy next year, releasing not only a successor to the popular Galaxy Z Fold 7 but also a "Wide Fold 8" variant inspired by Google's Pixel Fold. The latter would resemble a compact tablet akin to the iPad mini, aiming to attract consumers who want a tablet-sized device in a foldable smartphone form factor.
This dual approach could help Samsung simultaneously counter Apple's entry into foldables and increasingly challenge tablet market leaders. However, it is imperative that Samsung prioritizes delivering flagship devices like the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Flip 8 with top-tier quality rather than spreading resources too thin on niche or expensive variations.
The Case for a Fan Edition Foldable
The foldable market also begs for more accessible options, and many eagerly await the launch of a Galaxy Z Fold Fan Edition (FE). A competitively priced $1,200 foldable with strong specifications could dramatically expand Samsung's audience and fend off Apple's premium-focused approach.
While the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE faltered partly due to pricing and unclear positioning, Samsung still has an opportunity to learn from past missteps and offer both a Z Fold FE and Z Flip FE to accompany the regular models in 2026. Doing so may solidify Samsung's foldable dominance and broaden appeal across diverse consumer segments.
Focus and Execution Are Key Moving Forward
Ultimately, Samsung must decide whether to continue chasing multiple foldable formats — including wide folds and experimental trifold designs — or concentrate efforts on the devices with proven appeal and volume potential. With Apple entering the foldable race soon, it is critical that Samsung's next-generation foldables deliver maturity, refinement, and a compelling combination of design, performance, and price.
Striking this balance could ensure Samsung remains the top foldable smartphone manufacturer worldwide, guarding its lead and continuing to innovate for years to come.
