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The rumored launch date for the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is coming up fast, and this year, we're expecting to see not one but two book-style foldables come out of Galaxy Unpacked. The first is the successor to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, which may have been renamed Z Fold 8 Ultra, alongside a squatter passport-shaped Z Fold 8 — previously known as the Z Fold Wide.
In case you were skeptical that the wider foldable would launch later this year, images of what seem to be the Z Fold 8/Wide have surfaced in the real world (via Ice Universe). Though, sadly, it's hidden under what's referred to as an anti-leak protective case, which limits what we can actually see.
The phone was spotted in Korea, in the hands of a person we can only assume is a Samsung employee. There isn't a lot we can actually see about the phone's design, since the case blocks most things, and Ice Universe claims that this is an internal case designed to protect prototype devices and prevent leaks. Considering how often unreleased phones have been spotted out in the world, that's definitely a smart move.
Despite the fact that there are minimal visible details, it's clear that this is the wider Z Fold 8 model. Not only is the device shorter and wider than a typical Galaxy foldable, but it also only has two rear cameras — a common feature of the various renders and dummy units we've seen so far.
The existence of a Z Fold 8 out in the real world also seems to confirm that this phone is ready to be released. Real-world testing is one of the last things you do with a smartphone, because there's no way a company risks repeating what happened to the iPhone 4 until all lab-based tests have been exhausted.
In other words, this is a strong indicator that the wide-shaped Z Fold 8 will appear at the rumored Galaxy Unpacked event next month. Though considering the Z Fold 8 has a similar design to the upcoming iPhone Fold, I would be shocked if Samsung didn't push out the new design before Apple's annual September event.
There's a lot we still don't know about the Galaxy Z Fold 8, beyond the passport-shaped design. Rumors claim that the phone will offer dual 50MP cameras and a 4,800 mAh battery, but very little else has actually leaked. This means, unless something big happens in the next month and a half, Samsung may actually have some surprises in store.
We'll have to wait and see what happens, but at the very least, we should get all the relevant information at Galaxy Unpacked — which is currently rumored to take place on July 22.
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