How Apple's foldable iPhone forced Samsung to redesign its folding phone

A surprising shift in Samsung's folding phone strategy

Samsung has quietly changed course on its next folding phone. The Galaxy Z Fold 8, expected later this year, was originally set to follow the same design language as its predecessors. But insiders reveal that Apple's foldable iPhone — expected to launch next year — forced Samsung to go back to the drawing board.

The result is a device that looks nothing like the current Galaxy Z Fold series. Samsung now believes the passport-style foldable is the future.

What passport-style means for the Galaxy Z Fold 8

The passport-style design refers to a taller, narrower form factor when folded. Unlike the current Galaxy Z Fold's almost-square shape, the new device will be closer to a traditional smartphone in width when closed. When opened, it becomes a more rectangular canvas — closer to how a passport or a checkbook opens.

Samsung's engineers have reportedly spent months reworking the hinge and display ratios. The goal is to make the phone feel more natural in one hand while offering a larger internal screen than any previous model. The change is a direct response to Apple's approach: sources say Apple's foldable iPhone uses a square-ish internal display, and Samsung wants to stand out.

AI features and a three-phone lineup

Samsung is not just changing the shape. The company is also betting heavily on artificial intelligence to differentiate its foldables before Apple enters the market. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is expected to ship with advanced AI tools for photo editing, real-time translation, and multitasking. Samsung reportedly believes AI will be the key selling point, not just the form factor.

Alongside the Z Fold 8, Samsung plans to launch two more foldables — likely a Galaxy Z Flip 7 and a more affordable model. This three-phone lineup is designed to flood the market before Apple's foldable arrives. The message is clear: Samsung wants to own the category before its biggest rival even joins the race.

Problems Samsung must solve

Foldable phones have come a long way. Hinges are more durable, screens are tougher, and software has improved. But common problems remain. Owners complain about creases that never disappear, dust getting under the screen, and battery life that lags behind traditional flagships. Samsung's new design must address these issues if it wants to keep users loyal.

Another persistent issue is app optimisation. Many popular apps still don't scale properly on foldable screens. Samsung has been working with developers, but the problem is far from solved. If the Galaxy Z Fold 8 launches with a new aspect ratio, that challenge becomes even bigger.

What to watch next

Apple's foldable iPhone is still at least a year away. That gives Samsung a window to refine its passport-style design and prove the concept works. The Galaxy Z Fold 8's launch later this year will be the first real test. If Samsung pulls it off, the company could cement its lead. If not, Apple will have a clear target to aim at.