What you need to know
- A rumor online claims that Samsung might switch up the branding titles for its Galaxy Z Fold 8 this year by adding an “Ultra” tag.
- A tipster’s post suggests Samsung could give the “regular” Fold 8 the Ultra tag, and offer the “Galaxy Z Fold 8” name to the rumored Fold 8 Wide.
- Rumors about these two devices have slowly trickled in, but a report about the Fold 8 (or Fold 8 Ultra) claims it might miss major features, like the Privacy Display.
The frequency of rumors about Samsung’s next book-style foldable has slowly increased, but this one, which suggests a branding shift, might take the cake.
Earlier this past weekend, tipster Ice Universe went on the Chinese social media platform, Weibo, alleging that Samsung might slightly rebrand its next Galaxy Z Fold 8 (via 9to5Google). There have been rumors for a while that have pushed a “Wide” Fold 8 into the mix. The tipster mentions this but also says that Samsung might add an “Ultra” tag to its next release.
If this sounds a little wild, you’re not alone. Ice Universe says Samsung has allegedly renamed the Galaxy Z Fold 8 the “Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra.” What’s more, the long-rumored wider version of this phone might take over the regular Galaxy Z Fold moniker. The tipster didn’t expand on these rumors. That might not matter, as we have quite the selection of previous reports to sate our curiosity (at least for now).
The names are getting a little…
Whatever these devices will be called, rumors for months have said we might see a regular Fold 8 and a Fold 8 “Wide” (larger aspect ratio). Reports about the latter have seemed interesting, but then we got a supposed glimpse of its cameras. Rumors claim the wider Fold could deploy a dual camera setup. We could see a 50MP main sensor and a 50MP ultrawide lens. This basically positions the wider Fold 8 behind what we’d consider the “regular” Fold 8 for photography.
The wider variant would lack a telephoto lens, if we’re taking this rumor to heart. The Fold 8’s latest rumors haven’t been all that amazing, either. It looks like the phone could miss some major features, like Samsung’s Privacy Display. What’s more, the company might leave the S Pen out again this time, while also leaving its obvious screen crease for another day.
It’s hard to overlook how incredibly popular the Fold 7 was last year, due to the upgrades Samsung offered. Among them was a stronger hinge (which is estimated to last up to a decade) and its thin profile. It’s that thin profile that’s likely the reason why Samsung probably won’t reintroduce the S Pen this year.
Android Central’s Take
I’m taking these rumors as is right now. I’m trying not to overreact or anything like that. It seems a little strange. I feel like Samsung could’ve just named the Wide Fold 8 something else (I’m not even sure if Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide was the name it was going with anyway). We are roughly two months out from Samsung’s expect summer Unpacked. All of our curiosities will be answered there. So, for now, this can be a little brain teaser.
