Honor Joins the Wide Foldable Race with New 4:3 Aspect Ratio Device

Honor is joining the growing trend of wide foldable smartphones with a new device featuring a 4:3 aspect ratio display, according to a recent leak from Weibo. The Chinese smartphone manufacturer is reportedly planning to completely replace its Magic Vs series with this new wider foldable, marking a significant shift in the company's foldable strategy.

The 4:3 Aspect Ratio Revolution

The move toward wider foldables represents a notable evolution in smartphone design. While current foldables like the Magic Vs3 typically feature taller aspect ratios optimized for reading and media consumption, the 4:3 format promises a more tablet-like experience when unfolded. This aspect ratio has been gaining traction among manufacturers, with Apple reportedly planning to use it for its first foldable iPhone, Oppo working on the Find N7 with similar dimensions, and Samsung rumored to be developing a "Wide Fold" model.

Honor's Strategic Positioning

What makes Honor's approach particularly interesting is its positioning within the market. Unlike Samsung, which appears to be targeting the premium segment with its wide foldable concept, Honor is reportedly planning to replace its more affordable Magic Vs lineup with this new device. This suggests Honor is aiming to bring the wider form factor to a broader audience, potentially disrupting the foldable market's current premium-only status quo.

Timeline and Product Lineup

The leak indicates that Honor's main Magic V lineup will continue with its next installment launching next month, ensuring the company maintains its presence in the traditional foldable segment. However, the V Flip successor appears to be on hold for 2026, suggesting Honor is prioritizing its wide foldable development over expanding its clamshell offerings.

The timing aligns with broader industry trends, as 2026 appears to be shaping up as a pivotal year for foldable innovation. With multiple manufacturers converging on the 4:3 aspect ratio, consumers can expect a new generation of devices that blur the lines between smartphones and tablets even further.

Market Implications

Honor's entry into the wide foldable segment could intensify competition in what has traditionally been dominated by Samsung's Z Fold series and, to a lesser extent, Oppo's Find N lineup. By targeting a more accessible price point while offering the same innovative form factor, Honor could accelerate mainstream adoption of wide foldables.

The company's strategy also positions it well against Apple's anticipated entry into the foldable market. While Apple is likely to target the premium segment with its 4:3 foldable, Honor's more affordable approach could capture consumers who want cutting-edge technology without the premium price tag.

Technical Considerations

The shift to a 4:3 aspect ratio represents more than just a cosmetic change. This wider format offers several practical advantages:

• Enhanced multitasking capabilities with more screen real estate
• Better compatibility with tablet-optimized applications
• Improved productivity workflows that benefit from wider displays
• A more immersive experience for content creation tasks

However, it also presents challenges in terms of pocketability and one-handed use, which Honor will need to address through careful engineering and design choices.

Looking Ahead

As the foldable smartphone market continues to evolve, Honor's strategic moves suggest the company is positioning itself as a serious competitor in the premium segment while maintaining its value-oriented approach. The success of this wide foldable could determine whether 4:3 becomes the new standard for foldables or remains a niche preference among certain users.

The coming months will reveal whether Honor's gamble on the wide foldable format pays off, but one thing is clear: the foldable smartphone landscape is about to get significantly more interesting in 2026.

The featured image shows the current Honor Magic V5, which will likely be succeeded by the new wide foldable model. The design evolution from the current tall-aspect foldables to the rumored wider format represents a significant shift in how we'll interact with these devices.

Social media preview of Honor's foldable lineup, highlighting the company's commitment to innovation in the foldable smartphone segment despite increasing competition from established players like Samsung and emerging competitors like Apple.