Samsung has unveiled a new folding phone shape with the Galaxy Z Fold8, introducing a shorter, wider "passport-style" design that sits between the larger Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra and the compact Galaxy Z Flip8. Unveiled at Samsung's second Galaxy Unpacked event of the year, the move signals a shift away from a single folding-phone form factor towards a range of designs catering to different uses, with the new Fold8 aimed squarely at media consumption rather than productivity. It matters because Samsung, the dominant player in foldables since 2019, is now diversifying its line-up just as rivals such as Apple are reportedly preparing their own folding devices with a similar shape.

The Fold8 features a 10:16 aspect ratio cover screen and a 4:3, 7.6-inch inner display when unfolded, designed to suit vertical social media clips as well as landscape video and reading. Samsung executive Drew Blackard said the design responds to consumers now watching around 80 percent of video on mobile devices, with content shifting from landscape to vertical formats. The phone will cost $1,900, cheaper than Samsung's short-lived Galaxy Z TriFold, which sold for $2,899 in limited US drops earlier this year before being discontinued. Analysts suggest the new shape also positions Samsung to compete if Apple's rumoured folding iPhone proves popular.