London Hosts Samsung's Biggest Foldable Launch Yet
Samsung held its summer Galaxy Unpacked event in London on July 22, 2026, unveiling a dramatically expanded foldable lineup that signals the company's aggressive push to defend its dominance ahead of Apple's anticipated first foldable iPhone.
For the first time, Samsung offered three distinct foldable experiences — the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold8, and Galaxy Z Flip8 — each targeting different user needs and price points.
Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra: The Thinnest Foldable Yet
The headline act is the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, the first "Ultra" model in Samsung's foldable portfolio. At just 4.1mm thick when unfolded and weighing 215 grams, it is the thinnest Galaxy Z Fold ever produced. Its 8-inch main display leverages Samsung's proprietary Flex Titanium technology, which minimizes the visible crease while improving overall durability.
Inside, the device is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chipset paired with a 5,000mAh battery. The large screen enables advanced AI-powered multitasking, including:
- Gemini Notebook — Converts meeting notes, PDFs, and audio recordings into summaries, presentation slides, podcasts, or AI-generated videos - Now Nudge — Agentic AI that anticipates when multitasking is needed and proactively opens Multi Window at the right moment
Galaxy Z Fold8: A Redesigned Experience
The standard Galaxy Z Fold8 receives a significant redesign with an all-new form factor. Its cover screen adopts a 10:16 aspect ratio, while unfolding reveals a 7.6-inch main display with a 4:3 aspect ratio — optimized for movies and gaming in landscape, and e-books or web browsing in portrait.
At just 201 grams, it's the lightest Galaxy Z Fold ever made. A 4,800mAh battery delivers over 26 hours of video playback.
New AI features include My FanCam, which automatically reframes videos around a selected subject, and deeper Gemini integration that allows the AI agent to book hotels, find information, and complete tasks across apps without the user switching context.
Galaxy Z Flip8: More Without Unfolding
The Galaxy Z Flip8 focuses on delivering maximum utility without ever opening the phone. At 6.1mm thick and 180 grams, it's designed for ultimate portability.
The standout upgrade is the FlexWindow — users can now browse photos, chat, check weather, view schedules, and monitor stocks directly from the cover screen without unfolding. The Now Brief feature organizes essential daily information into personalized cards.
New camera features include Camcorder Grip for stable one-handed recording, Super Steady with horizontal lock, and Dual Recording that captures both the creator and subject simultaneously — ideal for vloggers.
Beyond Phones: Watches and Smart Eyewear
Samsung also used the event to launch the Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and Galaxy Watch9, expanding its wearable ecosystem. But the surprise announcement was Samsung's first intelligent eyewear — bringing the Galaxy ecosystem into everyday eyewear, though detailed specifications remain under wraps.
The Competitive Landscape
The timing is strategic. With Apple's first foldable iPhone rumored for release within the next year, Samsung is leaving nothing to chance. The introduction of an Ultra tier, a redesigned Fold with better media consumption proportions, and a more capable Flip all suggest a company fighting to stay ahead of the curve.
"For years, there was the little Flip and the big Fold, and that was enough. Not any more," noted The Verge. With Apple looming and Chinese competitors like Huawei pushing their own foldable innovations, Samsung's eighth-generation foldables represent its most comprehensive answer yet.
Pricing and Availability
Samsung has not yet announced specific pricing for all markets, but the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra is expected to sit at the premium end of the lineup, with the Fold8 and Flip8 targeting more accessible price points. Pre-orders opened shortly after the event, with general availability expected in the coming weeks.
