Samsung Electronics is preparing to expand its foldable smartphone lineup to five models in 2027, including a new Galaxy Z Fold variant with an even wider display than the current flagship, according to a report from South Korean outlet ETNews. The move follows what analysts and industry observers describe as a breakout success for the Galaxy Z Fold 8, which launched in July with a wider, passport-style design that has resonated strongly with consumers across major markets.

The reported 2027 lineup includes successors to the Galaxy Z Fold 8, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, and the Galaxy Z Flip 8, along with a second-generation Galaxy Z TriFold and an additional wide-format Z Fold model. The fifth device, which has not been officially named, would likely adopt an aspect ratio closer to 16:9 or 16:10, a significant departure from the 4:3 main display found on the current Z Fold 8. The report suggests Samsung is aiming to create a screen ratio optimized for video viewing, addressing one of the most persistent criticisms of the current model.

Reviews of the Z Fold 8 have been overwhelmingly positive, but the 4:3 aspect ratio has drawn consistent criticism for forcing letterboxing around most video content. A wider display would solve that problem for users who prioritize media consumption, bringing Samsung’s foldable closer to the experience of a traditional tablet or laptop screen.

Strong Early Sales Fuel the Strategy

The decision to double down on wide-format foldables comes as the Z Fold 8 drives record-breaking sales for Samsung’s foldable business. In South Korea, the Z Fold 8 accounted for roughly 70 percent of all pre-orders for the Z8 series, according to Counterpoint Research. In the United States, the share was approximately 50 percent, while Europe saw around 40 percent. Southeast Asia and Oceania reported that 60 percent of all Z8 series orders went to the Z Fold 8.

RegionZ Fold 8 Share of Z8 Series Pre-ordersPre-order Growth vs. Previous GenSouth Korea~70%+39% (1.44M combined units)United States~50%+30%Europe~40%+20%+Southeast Asia & Oceania~60%+60% (regional record)

Samsung’s domestic pre-sale period, which ran from late July through early August, saw combined sales of 1.44 million units across the Z Fold 8 Ultra, Z Fold 8, and Z Flip 8. That represents a roughly 39 percent increase over the 1.04 million units sold during the previous generation’s pre-sale window, setting a new record for any Galaxy smartphone in South Korea. Some models sold out entirely, forcing Samsung to extend the activation period for pre-order customers through the end of August.

Global pre-orders for the Z8 series rose more than 30 percent compared to the previous generation. Europe saw an increase of more than 20 percent, while the United States recorded a 30 percent jump. In Southeast Asia and Oceania, pre-sales of the Z Fold 8 and Z Fold 8 Ultra surged by roughly 60 percent compared to the Z Fold 7, marking the highest foldable pre-sale figures ever recorded in those regions.

In Japan, the Z Fold 8 has shown unusual early demand. Multiple color options for the 256GB model sold out on Samsung’s official online store, marking the first time a Galaxy device launched in Japan has seen simultaneous sellouts across multiple storage and color configurations.

Counterpoint Research projects that first-year shipments of the Galaxy Z8 series will increase by double digits compared to the Z7 series and by more than 70 percent compared to the Z6 series. The research firm noted that actual post-launch sales and Apple’s anticipated entry into the foldable market will be key variables determining whether the momentum continues.

A Heavier Bet on Foldables

Samsung’s reported plan to release five foldable devices in 2027 represents a significant escalation of its commitment to the category. The company discontinued the first-generation Galaxy Z TriFold after just three months, largely due to its steep $2,900 launch price and component constraints exacerbated by the AI-driven RAM shortage. The decision to bring back a second-generation TriFold suggests Samsung sees enough long-term potential in the form factor to justify another attempt, with expectations that the company will address portability and pricing concerns in the follow-up.

The second wide Z Fold model could serve as a more affordable entry point into the wide-format foldable experience. The current Z Fold 8 starts at $1,899.99, positioning it firmly in the premium tier. Offering two wide foldables at different price points would allow Samsung to capture both high-end buyers and consumers who want the wider form factor without the flagship price tag.

The timing of the 2027 lineup remains speculative, with official confirmation unlikely until Samsung’s next Unpacked event, which has historically been held in July. By that point, Apple may have already entered the foldable market with its long-rumored device, which industry reports suggest could launch alongside the updated iPhone lineup later this year. Samsung’s aggressive expansion of its foldable portfolio appears designed to maintain its lead in a category it pioneered, even as competition intensifies.

The broader smartphone market context makes Samsung’s foldable success particularly notable. Omdia projects that global smartphone shipments will decline 12 percent this year to 1.093 billion units, driven by rising component costs tied to AI server memory demand. Samsung’s Mobile Experience (MX) division felt that pressure directly: it posted an operating loss of roughly ₩700 billion (about $500 million) in the second quarter — a reversal from a ₩3.1 trillion profit in the same period a year earlier — marking its first quarterly deficit since Samsung began reporting the segment separately in 2011. The company has stated it will focus on premium product sales, including the Z8 series, to improve profitability in the second half of the year. The early dominance of the high-priced Z Fold 8 in sales mix supports that strategy.

A separate industry-wide forecast released in July adds context for why Samsung is doubling down on wide-format foldables specifically: global foldable smartphone shipments are projected to grow 21 percent year-over-year in 2026, but Samsung’s share of that category is expected to slip to 32 percent, down from 40 percent in 2025, as Apple debuts its first foldable iPhone and captures an estimated 25 percent of the segment in its debut year. Huawei is projected to hold 24 percent, with Motorola at 8 percent and HONOR at 3 percent. That erosion helps explain the urgency behind Samsung’s reported five-model 2027 lineup: a wider, video-optimized Fold model is one of the few differentiators Apple’s rumored device is unlikely to match at launch.