Updated July 23, 2026. Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2026 took place in London on July 22. The company confirmed three new foldables: the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold8 and Galaxy Z Flip8. Samsung also presented the Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and Galaxy Watch9 and previewed its intelligent eyewear. The summary below replaces the pre-event rumors with details Samsung has now confirmed.
The biggest change is not a single specification. Samsung has split its Fold range into two genuinely different shapes: the large Fold8 Ultra for productivity and cameras, and a lighter, noticeably wider Fold8 for reading, video and everyday content. The Flip8 remains a pocketable clamshell but puts more emphasis on its cover display and quick AI-assisted actions. Samsung has published a short official Unpacked recap.
What Samsung announced
The named phone lineup consists of Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold8 and Galaxy Z Flip8. The wearables are Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and Galaxy Watch9; Samsung did not announce a Watch9 Classic. It also showed two intelligent-eyewear designs developed with Gentle Monster and Warby Parker, but gave the glasses no retail model name, price or precise release date. That distinction matters: five devices are ready for preorder in selected markets, while the eyewear remains a preview.
Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Fold8 and Flip8 compared
| Model | Displays and weight | Rear cameras | Battery, charging, price from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra | 8.0″ + 6.5″; 215 g | 200MP + 50MP + 10MP, 3× optical zoom | 5,000mAh; 45W; $2,099.99 / €2,199 / £1,899 |
| Galaxy Z Fold8 | 7.6″ + 5.5″; 201 g | 50MP + 50MP; up to 10× digital zoom | 4,800mAh; 45W; $1,899.99 / €1,999 / £1,699 |
| Galaxy Z Flip8 | 6.9″ + 4.1″; 180 g | 50MP + 12MP; up to 10× digital zoom | 4,300mAh; 25W; $1,199.99 / €1,299 / £1,149 |
Galaxy Z Fold8 is the unusual wide Fold
The regular Fold8 is not simply a cheaper Ultra. When closed, its 5.5-inch cover display has an approximately 10:16 aspect ratio. Opening it reveals a 7.6-inch 4:3 panel. The folded body measures 123.9 × 81.9 × 9.7 mm, making it shorter and wider than the traditional book-style Fold. This is the form Samsung was concealing behind the phrase “A New Shape Unfolds.”
It weighs 201 g and pairs the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Mobile Platform for Galaxy with a 4,800mAh battery and up to 45W wired charging. Its wide and ultrawide cameras are both 50MP, but there is no dedicated telephoto lens. The trade-off is clear: Fold8 prioritizes its large canvas, reading, games and video over optical reach. My FanCam can track a selected subject and automatically reframe video for a chosen aspect ratio.
Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra prioritizes screen and cameras
The Fold8 Ultra retains a more familiar book-like shape. It has an 8-inch inner display and 6.5-inch cover screen, weighs 215 g and measures 4.1 mm open or 8.9 mm closed. It uses the same Snapdragon platform but adds a larger 5,000mAh battery, 45W wired charging, 20W wireless charging and, according to Samsung, a larger graphite cooling structure.
Its clearest advantage is the camera system: a 200MP main camera, 50MP autofocus ultrawide and 10MP telephoto with 3× optical zoom. It records 8K video at up to 30 frames per second, while Samsung also promotes HDR in 200MP mode, the APV codec and Cine LUT controls. This is the stronger creation-focused configuration, although image quality, heat and battery life still need independent testing.
Galaxy Z Flip8 focuses on portability and FlexWindow
The Flip8 weighs 180 g and is 6.1 mm thick when open. Its 6.9-inch main display offers an adaptive 1–120Hz refresh rate, while the 4.1-inch FlexWindow supports 60Hz and 120Hz modes. The cover screen can surface apps, Now Brief cards and Gemini actions, reducing the need to unfold the phone for a short task.
The camera system has a 50MP main sensor and 12MP ultrawide. The clamshell design lets users shoot with the better main camera while previewing the frame outside. Battery capacity is 4,300mAh, with 25W wired and 15W wireless charging. Flip8 therefore makes sense for portability and flexible selfie shooting, not for the best zoom, fastest charging or largest battery.
Shared foundations: Flex Titanium, One UI 9 and Galaxy AI
All three phones ship with Android 17 and One UI 9, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy, Wi‑Fi 7 and an IP48 rating. IP48 covers solid objects larger than 1 mm and laboratory immersion in up to 1.5 meters of fresh water for 30 minutes; it is not full dust protection, and Samsung advises against beach or pool use. The Flex Titanium display structure combines a titanium-alloy film and enhanced titanium plate. Samsung says it improves support and reduces crease visibility, while the main displays reach a claimed peak of up to 3,000 nits.
The software pitch centers on Now Brief, Now Nudge and Gemini Intelligence. The system can suggest follow-up actions from a conversation, use on-screen context and automate tasks across more than 40 supported apps and services. Availability depends on language, region, account and service, and some enhanced Samsung or third-party AI features may require payment. For context on the privacy trade-offs between cloud and on-device processing, see our guide to local AI models.
Prices, preorders and release date
According to Samsung’s official announcement, preorders opened in supported markets on July 22 and general availability begins August 7, 2026. Fold8 Ultra and Fold8 offer 256GB, 512GB or 1TB; the 1TB versions have 16GB of RAM and the others 12GB. Flip8 offers 256GB or 512GB with 12GB of RAM. The dollar, euro and pound figures in the table are starting prices, not a universal global list: taxes, promotions, configurations and warranty terms vary. Graphite and Cream are common options; some additional colors are Samsung.com exclusives, and availability varies by channel.
Samsung also announced a six-month Google AI Pro trial with 5TB of cloud storage for the new series. It is a separate offer with age, regional and time restrictions, and the subscription becomes paid after the trial unless canceled. The benefit therefore should not be subtracted from the phone’s price without checking the local terms.
Galaxy Watch Ultra2, Watch9 and intelligent eyewear
The Galaxy Watch Ultra2 is a 47 mm titanium model with an 800mAh battery, a display rated up to 5,000 nits, 64GB of storage and 10 ATM, IP69K and EN13319 dive certifications. Galaxy Watch9 comes in 40 mm and 44 mm sizes with an aluminum case, up to 3,000 nits, 32GB and 390mAh or 445mAh batteries. Both run Snapdragon Wear Elite, Wear OS 7 and One UI 9 Watch. Selected-market preorders began July 22 and sales start August 7. In the US, Ultra2 costs $699.99; Watch9 starts at $379.99 for Bluetooth or $429.99 for LTE.
The glasses remain a preview. Samsung showed Gentle Monster and Warby Parker designs and claimed up to nine hours of use, plus a case holding up to seven additional charges. Snapdragon AR1 Gen1, Android XR and Gemini provide the platform. The official announcement, however, gives no model name, price, market list or exact date—only that the experience is coming “soon.”
Which model is worth considering?
Fold8 Ultra is the logical option for the largest workspace, a telephoto camera and Samsung’s strongest foldable camera system. Fold8 is the lighter, wider choice for reading, video and games, but lacks a telephoto. Flip8 suits buyers who value pocketability and flexible selfies more than zoom or charging speed. Before spending this much, it is sensible to wait for independent tests of the hinge, crease, cameras, sustained performance and battery life, and to confirm local warranty and repair costs. The key Unpacked takeaway is that Samsung no longer offers one Fold for everyone: it has divided the idea into two clearly different products.
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