A new direction is starting to define the foldable market, and it is centered on width. Huawei has already pushed that idea forward with the Pura X Max, and now Vivo and Honor are being linked to devices that follow a similar approach.
That shift matters because a wider foldable can offer a larger display once opened without making the device feel overly thick. It also brings the experience closer to a tablet, which makes the format attractive for multitasking and entertainment.
Huawei’s move puts wider foldables in the spotlight
Huawei drew attention with the Pura X Max, a horizontal foldable concept that opens into a noticeably broader viewing area. Compared with the more common vertical foldable style, the layout is seen as giving users a roomier screen in open mode.
That design is increasingly viewed as the next stage for foldables. The appeal is straightforward: a larger canvas can make everyday use feel more comfortable, especially when several apps or media content need more space.
The trend is also being watched closely by other premium brands. Samsung is reported to be preparing a new foldable lineup alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Flip 8 in July, while Apple is also said to be working on its first foldable iPhone, which may take the name iPhone Ultra.
Vivo’s X Fold 6 is linked to a smoother crease and wider body
On the Vivo side, a leak from Smart Pikachu points to the X Fold 6 as the company’s next major step in this segment. The device is said to bring a major improvement in screen crease quality, with the visible fold reportedly refined compared with the previous generation.
That detail matters because the crease remains one of the most noticeable trade-offs in foldable phones. A smoother panel would help the display look cleaner in daily use, while the broader body design would keep it aligned with the modern book-style foldable category.
The same leak suggests Vivo is aiming deeper into the premium foldable space. If the design arrives as described, it could place Vivo in more direct competition with Huawei in the wider foldable segment.
For now, there is still no confirmation that the wider Vivo foldable will debut this year. The device may still be in a further development stage before any launch decision is made.
Honor is also developing a similar foldable design
Honor is reportedly working on a foldable smartphone with a comparable design direction. Information from leaker Guan Tongxue GiM says the device is still under internal development, and no detailed specifications have been revealed publicly.
Even so, the reported design hints at a device with three rear cameras, an external secondary display, and a body that is wider than a typical foldable. Once opened, it is expected to deliver a mini-tablet-like experience in horizontal orientation.
That approach fits the broader shift in the market, where manufacturers are looking for foldables that feel more useful in everyday tasks. Wider displays are becoming more appealing because they can improve comfort for both productivity and media consumption.
Reports circulating around the device suggest Honor’s wider foldable may not arrive until the first quarter of 2027. That timeline indicates the project is still moving forward, but not yet close to release.
Why the market is moving toward a broader format
For several years, foldables have mostly been defined by vertical layouts and standard book-style designs. The next wave appears to be focused less on simply folding a screen and more on finding the most practical shape for real-world use.
A wider format offers more usable screen area when opened, which is why it is attracting attention from multiple brands at the same time. It also gives foldables a more natural tablet-like feel, without pushing the device into an obviously bulky shape.
That is why Huawei’s Pura X Max is now drawing challengers from Vivo and Honor. The competition around foldables is no longer only about flexible panels, but also about which form factor best fits daily use.
