Apple's foldable iphone shakes up samsung, forces copycat move

2026 is shaping up to be the year of the foldable smartphone, not for Samsung – the pioneer – but for Apple. The first foldable iPhone is arriving this fall, and its impact is already forcing a surprising response from the South Korean giant.

Samsung's fold strategy: a history of following

The race to define the foldable form factor has been a turbulent one. Remember the Galaxy S25 Edge? Launched preemptively in response to rumors of an iPhone Air. It flopped. And the iPhone Air? Another underwhelming release. Samsung’s history demonstrates a pattern: anticipate Apple's moves, then stumble when those predictions don't pan out.

That’s precisely what’s happening now. Leaks and renders of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide suggest a design strikingly similar to the rumored iPhone Fold. Instead of innovating on its already capable Galaxy Z Fold 7, Samsung appears to be reverting to its old strategy: mimicking Apple.

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 was a solid device, capable of challenging non-foldable flagships. The Galaxy Z Flip 7 offers a compelling, more compact alternative. Even the short-lived Galaxy Z TriFold showcased Samsung’s inventive capabilities. Why then, the apparent decision to chase Apple's design?

Even if Apple’s design proves more successful this time, Samsung finds itself in a losing position. There’s little logical reason for the Z Fold 8 Wide to exist beyond mirroring the iPhone Fold's rumored appearance. The company has morphed from innovator into follower.

There's a potential lifeline for Samsung: price. If the Z Fold 8 Wide offers similar features to the iPhone Fold at a significantly lower price point, it might find some traction. Apple loyalists aren’t likely to switch, but Samsung could at least claim a price advantage.

Otherwise, the Z Fold 8 Wide risks becoming a lasting blemish on Samsung’s reputation. The company’s strength lies in its diverse foldable lineup. Focusing on improving existing devices – making them faster, thinner, cheaper – would be a far more effective strategy than chasing a fleeting design trend.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide isn’t a bold step forward. It’s a reactive move. And in the smartphone market, reaction rarely wins.