Following Samsung and Apple, Oppo may be the next to enter the expanding foldable market.

      Oppo could disrupt Samsung and Apple’s expanding foldable market

      According to reports, Samsung is getting ready to unveil a shorter and wider foldable device, while there are rumors that Apple's first foldable iPhone will feature a wide, passport-like design. A new leak indicates that Oppo may also be working on a similar device, further joining the growing lineup of brands in this space.

      This information comes from the well-known Chinese leaker, Digital Chat Station, who asserts that Oppo is developing a wide-screen foldable device expected to launch in the first quarter of 2027.

      Potential standout feature: the battery

      The Oppo Find N2 was considered a wide foldable at the time, and it looks like this new unnamed foldable will be powered by Qualcomm’s yet-to-be-announced Snapdragon 8 Gen 6, designated by the model number SM8950. The leak also mentions a dedicated AI accelerator designed for intensive on-device models. However, the highlight may be an impressive battery capacity of around 6,500mAh.

      This would be significant for any foldable device and might necessitate the use of silicon-carbon battery technology to keep the phone from becoming excessively thick. The source did not reveal charging speeds, dimensions, camera specifications, or confirmed display sizes. For context, the Motorola Razr Fold is known to have one of the largest batteries among foldable phones, capping at 6,000mAh.

      This model may potentially be named the Find N7, and similar to the current Find N6 foldable, it could feature a hinge design that minimizes the display crease.

      The rise of wide foldables

      Wide foldables move away from the tall proportions found in devices like the Galaxy Z Fold 7, favoring a shorter, more tablet-like shape. This format may offer a better experience for watching movies, playing games, and more. Huawei has already ventured into this market with the Pura X Max, which features a 5.5-inch outer display that opens to reveal a 7.6-inch, 16:10 screen. Samsung's forthcoming Fold 8 lineup and Apple’s anticipated foldable are expected to broaden the appeal of this format significantly.