Samsung Goes Big in London — and Then Some
So here's the thing: Samsung just dropped not one, not two, but three new foldable smartphones at its Galaxy Unpacked event in London on July 22, 2026. And the headliner of the bunch is something we haven't seen from Samsung before — a device carrying the "Ultra" badge in the foldable lineup for the very first time.
The new Galaxy Z series consists of the Galaxy Z Fold 8, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, and the Galaxy Z Flip 8. Together, they represent the eighth generation of Samsung's foldable journey, which kicked off back in 2019. Seven years in, and Samsung is clearly still betting hard on foldables as the future of mobile.
"As AI becomes more agentic, mobile devices will become the most personal entry point to experiences that understand and adapt to each user," said Roh Tae-moon, co-CEO of Samsung Electronics and head of its mobile business, speaking at the Unpacked stage in London.
All three devices are powered by Google's Gemini AI — Alphabet's flagship artificial intelligence platform — and are built around the idea of delivering more personalized, context-aware experiences depending on who you are and how you use your phone.
Breaking Down the Three Devices
Galaxy Z Fold 8: The Balanced Option
The standard Galaxy Z Fold 8 is designed to be the everyday workhorse of the lineup. When folded, you get a 5.5-inch cover screen with a 10:16 aspect ratio — wide enough for messaging, social media, and short-form video without feeling awkward. Flip it open, and you're looking at a 7.6-inch main display with a 4:3 ratio, which Samsung says is optimized for video watching, reading, gaming, and browsing.
What's really interesting here is the pricing. The 256GB model comes in at 2.28 million Korean won — that's about US$1,541 — which is actually 101,200 won cheaper than its predecessor. In a market where flagship prices seem to only go one direction, that's a notable move.
Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra: Samsung's Thinnest, Lightest Fold Yet
Now this is the one people are going to be talking about. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is the first foldable device in Samsung's history to carry the "Ultra" designation — a label the company reserves for its absolute top-tier products, like the Galaxy S Ultra series.
The specs are genuinely impressive. It sports an 8-inch main screen built for heavy multitasking and productivity, an upgraded camera system aimed at content creators, and a larger battery. But here's what's turning heads: despite all of that, it weighs just 215 grams and unfolds to a mere 4.1 millimeters thick. Samsung is calling it the lightest and thinnest fold model they've ever made.
The price reflects its flagship status — 2.58 million won, which is 198,000 won more than the Galaxy Z Fold 7. Premium hardware does come at a premium price.
Galaxy Z Flip 8: Small, Smart, and Lighter Than Ever
For those who prefer a compact form factor, the Galaxy Z Flip 8 is Samsung's answer. At just 180 grams, it's the lightest Galaxy Z Flip ever produced. Unfolded, it measures 6.1 millimeters thick — genuinely pocketable. Samsung is pitching this one hard on personalization and AI features for users who want smart functionality without a large footprint.
It's priced at 1.68 million won — up 198,000 won from the previous Flip model, keeping it as the more accessible entry point into the foldable Galaxy world.
When Can You Get One?
Samsung will begin rolling out all three models globally starting August 7. If you're in South Korea and want to be among the first, preorders open this coming Tuesday and run through August 3.
The timing is worth noting. Apple is widely expected to unveil its first-ever foldable iPhone — reportedly with a passport-style design — in September. Samsung is clearly moving to lock in foldable buyers before that moment arrives.
Smart Glasses Are Coming Too
The Unpacked event wasn't just about phones. Samsung also pulled back the curtain a bit more on its Intelligent Eyewear — smart glasses developed in partnership with Warby Parker (an Alphabet company) and Korean eyewear brand Gentle Monster. The glasses are slated for a fall release, and Samsung shared new details about battery life and durability for the first time.
The design philosophy is straightforward: make AI feel natural in everyday life. The glasses feature custom-designed hinges and temples built to handle the kind of physical stress real-world wear puts on eyewear — twisting, pulling, the works.
"Intelligent Eyewear is a new touchpoint that naturally recognizes context in everyday life to provide a more personalized AI experience," said Choi Jae-in, executive vice president of Samsung's mobile experience division.
He also emphasized something that's becoming increasingly important in the AI hardware space: consumer trust. Samsung says transparency around data policies and giving users actual control over their data are core principles baked into the product.
The Bigger Picture
What Samsung is really doing here isn't just launching new phones. It's staking out its vision for what AI-powered mobile devices should look like — personal, adaptive, and seamlessly woven into daily life across multiple form factors. Whether that's a book-style Fold, a compact Flip, or a pair of glasses you wear all day, the bet is that the hardware best positioned to deliver AI is the hardware closest to you.
With the foldable market still growing and Apple about to enter the game, the next few months are shaping up to be one of the most competitive periods in smartphone history. Samsung's move to expand to three distinct foldable options — including its first-ever Ultra fold — is a clear signal that it intends to hold its ground.
This article is based on reports from Kdpress, Yonhap News, Yonhap News.
