Samsung may significantly increase its foldable offerings in 2027, with reports suggesting five new models.

      The wide-format Galaxy Z Fold 8 performed well enough to persuade Samsung that this form factor deserves two models of its own next year.

      Reports indicate that Samsung intends to release five different foldable phones in 2027, which seems like a lot, but the company is planning a lineup almost double the size of this year’s offering of three models.

      The South Korean giant appears determined to capitalize on the demand for the wide-format design that buyers seem to love. Two of these models might feature the passport-shaped design that achieved record sales this year.

      According to a recent report from ETnews shared by the leaker Ice Universe, Samsung’s foldable lineup for 2027 could encompass five devices. This may include two wider format foldables: a new Galaxy Z Fold 9 (likely the successor to the Fold 8) and an entirely new wide-format foldable next to it (potentially an Ultra or a toned-down version).

      Additionally, the company may introduce the Galaxy Z Fold 9 Ultra, which would be a direct successor to the Fold 8 Ultra featuring the tall and narrow cover screen. Contrary to previous reports suggesting Samsung might stop making flip-style phones, the leak mentions the Flip 9 as one of the foldables expected next year.

      Lastly, we might also see a second-generation Galaxy Z TriFold. This would result in five devices based on three distinct shapes, providing consumers with a real choice between narrow and wide foldables rather than pushing everyone toward a single design.

      Why is Samsung making this move now?

      The timing aligns with trends in retail.

      Samsung increased Z Fold 8 production by a million units after its current three foldables approached 5 million preorders globally, with the wide Fold 8 alone accounting for a significant portion of that demand, reportedly as much as 70% of preorders in South Korea.

      This upsurge coincides with Apple’s impending launch of its own similarly formatted foldable iPhone, expected on September 9 (as per rumors).

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      The Pixel 11 provides me with three reasons to consider abandoning my iPhone 17, and I’m concerned they might be convincing.

      Google’s latest entry-level flagship makes my iPhone 17 seem significantly less appealing.

      As a professional smartphone reviewer, upgrading annually is part of the job. I anticipated transitioning from my iPhone 17 to the next standard model, the iPhone 18. However, Apple may not even release it this September. Pegatron, one of Apple's suppliers, suggested during an August 12 earnings call that the basic iPhone 18 won't launch next month (according to Deccan Chronicle). Only the Pro, Pro Max, and the rumored foldable "Ultra" are expected, so the base model has been postponed to early 2027. This alone disrupts my plans. But it’s only the beginning concerning Apple: the Pixel 11.

      Recently, Samsung revealed that repairing a cracked Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra screen could cost $639, so be cautious.

      Samsung’s new figures provide an exact—and rather painful—estimate for the repair costs. Breaking your foldable's screen has always been an expensive error, but Samsung has confirmed the official repair pricing for the entire Galaxy Z Fold 8 lineup, and the cost of fixing the inner display is quite high, even exceeding the price of some budget phones. As more people enter the foldable market, understanding these revised repair costs is crucial before making a purchase.

      I've been waiting far too long for Pixels to include this incredibly simple gesture.

      Google should just implement the double-tap-to-lock gesture already.

      Whenever I switch from an Android phone to a Pixel, there's a small gesture missing that consistently frustrates me. On modern Galaxy phones or even devices from Xiaomi, I can double-tap an empty area on the home screen to turn off the display immediately. Samsung has provided this double-tap function since Android 11. However, with a Pixel, I still need to reach for the power button.

      To be fair, Google isn’t the only one at fault; Motorola's stock Android devices, like the Razr Fold, also lack this basic feature. However, this situation may be changing soon. Android Authority has found updated code strings in Android 17 QPR2 Beta 3 that suggest Google is working on the long-awaited double-tap-to-sleep feature. Moreover, it seems Google is expanding this function beyond just the lock screen to include the home screen, which is exactly where I want it.