Samsung Unpacked introduces new form factor with Z Fold8

The following report was written by Gemini AI and reviewed by an editor at Sypnotix.

The event introduced a wide-format foldable, the Galaxy Z Fold 8, the premium Z Fold 8 Ultra, alongside the Z Flip 8, Galaxy Watch 9 series, and a preview of intelligent eyewear powered by Gemini AI.

LONDON, UK — July 22, 2026 — Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today announced its highly anticipated 2026 lineup of foldable smartphones and wearables during its Galaxy Unpacked event in London. Highlighting a significant change in form factor, durability, and artificial intelligence, the launch included three updated foldable devices—the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, the all-new Galaxy Z Fold 8, and the Galaxy Z Flip 8—along with the Galaxy Watch 9, the rugged Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, and an early look at Samsung’s upcoming intelligent eyewear.

A Foldable for Every Lifestyle

Leading the charge in Samsung’s eighth generation of foldables is the introduction of a completely new form factor.

Galaxy Z Fold 8: Designed to compete with the broader market of compact tablets, the new Z Fold 8 introduces a wider, passport-style 4:3 aspect ratio. Weighing just 201 grams and measuring an incredibly thin 4.5mm when unfolded (9.7mm folded), it is the lightest Z Fold Samsung has ever made. It features a 7.6-inch inner display, a 5,000mAh battery with upgraded 45W wired charging, and a dual 50MP camera system.

Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra: The true successor to last year's flagship, the Z Fold 8 Ultra represents the pinnacle of Samsung's foldable engineering. It boasts a new Flex Titanium hinge that drastically minimizes the display crease, a 200MP main camera, a 50MP ultra-wide lens, and an inner display that reaches a peak brightness of 3,000 nits.

Galaxy Z Flip 8: The iconic clamshell returns with the powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chip. The device retains the beloved 4.1-inch "Flex Window" cover screen, now with minimized bezels, allowing users to handle notifications, read AI-assisted daily briefs, and send texts without ever flipping the phone open.

All three devices come preinstalled with advanced AI capabilities, including enhanced Gemini Intelligence for task automation across more than 40 popular apps, and Gemini Notebook (formerly NotebookLM) for a powerful, multimodal research workspace right on the expansive foldable screens.

Expanding the Galaxy Wearable Ecosystem

Samsung continues to push the boundaries of health tracking and durability with its new smartwatch lineup.

Galaxy Watch Ultra 2: Built for extreme environments, the Watch Ultra 2 features a titanium design, an astounding 5,000-nit peak brightness display, and a massive 800mAh battery. With an IP69K rating and the ability to withstand up to 10ATM of pressure, it is officially rated for ocean swimming and diving.

Galaxy Watch 9: Featuring a comfortable "squircle" aluminum design, the Watch 9 brings quiet but substantial upgrades, including the new Snapdragon Wear Elite chip for improved AI performance and efficiency, a 3,000-nit display, and new band styles aimed at all-day wear and sleep tracking.

The Future of Intelligent Eyewear

Closing the event, Samsung provided an exciting update on its foray into the Android XR ecosystem. Developed in partnership with Google, and featuring stylish frame designs by Warby Parker and Gentle Monster, Samsung’s upcoming smart glasses will integrate directly with Gemini AI. The intelligent eyewear will offer hands-free features such as real-time sign translation, voice navigation, and the ability to seamlessly handle complex tasks like booking dinner reservations on the go.

Pricing and Availability

Pre-reservations for the new Galaxy lineup are available starting today.

Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra: Starting at $2,099

Galaxy Z Fold 8: Starting at $1,899.99

Galaxy Z Flip 8: Starting at $1,199

For more information about the latest Galaxy devices, please visit the Samsung Newsroom or Samsung.com.