Samsung ramps up work on a mysterious Galaxy Z Fold phone

Last week, model numbers of Samsung’s multiple upcoming foldable phones were leaked. One among those devices was the SM-F971B, which was said to be the Galaxy Z Flip 8 FE. Well, it may not be a Galaxy Z Flip series device but a Galaxy Z Fold series device, and its launch is now one step closer.

Samsung’s upcoming foldable phone with model number SM-F971 has been spotted in the GSMA database. It suggests that the South Korean firm has taken another step in the device’s development. Along with that, we now have better clarity on the type of device.

The model numbers of all the Galaxy Z Flip phone so far carry model numbers that start with SM-F7. Whereas, model numbers of all the Galaxy Z Fold phones launched so far start with SM-F9. Considering that, it looks like the SM-F971 is a Galaxy Z Fold series device, and not a Galaxy Z Flip series phone like a previous report had suggested. But there's more to the story.

Considering previous reports about the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Samsung's model numbering convention for its phones, the device will carry the model number SM-F976. It means that the SM-F971 is not the Galaxy Z Fold 8. So, what is it? Well, to understand it, we have to take a look at the model numbers of the Galaxy Z Flip 7 and the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE.

While the Galaxy Z Flip 7 carries model number SM-F766, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE carries model number SM-F761. As you can see, Samsung uses SM-Fx66 for the standard model and SM-Fx61 for the more affordable version. Considering that, it is possible that the SM-F971 is a more affordable version of the Galaxy Z Fold 8, and could arrive as the Galaxy Z Fold 8 FE. However, that's just our speculation.

It is also possible that Samsung could launch the Galaxy Z Fold 8 with model number SM-F971B and the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra with model number SM-F976B. Things will only get clear in the coming months. The company could launch the Galaxy Z Flip 8 and the Galaxy Z Fold 8 in mid-2026.