Samsung took the wraps off three new foldable phones at Galaxy Unpacked in London on July 22. The lineup includes the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra (the first “Ultra” model in the Z series), the redesigned Galaxy Z Fold8 with a wider form factor, and the Galaxy Z Flip8 with an expanded cover display.
Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra: Samsung’s Thinnest Foldable Yet
The Fold8 Ultra measures just 4.1mm when unfolded and weighs 215 grams, making it the thinnest Galaxy Z Fold Samsung has ever built. The 8-inch main display uses Samsung’s Flex Titanium technology to minimize the crease, while the hinge mechanism has been completely reworked for smoother folding.
Inside, the Fold8 Ultra runs on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen for Galaxy chipset, paired with 12GB of RAM and storage options going up to 1TB. The 4,800mAh battery supports 25W wired charging. The camera system features a dual 50MP rear setup with 10MP front cameras on both the inner and outer displays.
Samsung packed Gemini Notebook into the Fold8 Ultra, which lets users upload meeting recordings or PDFs and generate summaries, presentation slides, quizzes, and even short AI-generated videos from the same source material.
Galaxy Z Fold8: A Passport-Style Redesign
The standard Fold8 gets Samsung’s most significant form-factor change since book-style foldables launched. The device is now shorter and wider, with a 5.5-inch cover display at a 16:10 aspect ratio and a 7.6-inch inner display at 4:3. The dimensions address two of the biggest complaints about previous Folds: the narrow cover screen that felt awkward for regular phone use, and the nearly square inner panel that handled media poorly.
When folded, the Z Fold8 measures 9.7mm thick and weighs around 201 grams. The dual 50MP rear cameras and 10MP front cameras carry over from the Ultra, but the standard model drops some of the Ultra’s premium extras. Leaked pricing puts the Z Fold8 at $1,899 for the 256GB model, while the Fold8 Ultra starts at $2,099.
Galaxy Z Flip8: Bigger Cover Screen, Same Clamshell Design
The Z Flip8 keeps the clamshell form factor but bumps the cover display from 3.4 inches to 4.1 inches. The main display remains a 6.9-inch foldable Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X panel at 120Hz. Internally, the Flip8 runs on either the Exynos 2600 (2nm) or Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 depending on the market, with 12GB of RAM.
Samsung’s new Flip8 also gets improved Gemini integration on the FlexWindow cover display. Users can now interact with AI assistants, manage notifications, and control smart home devices without unfolding the phone.
Gemini AI Across the Board
Every device in the Z Fold8 series ships with Gemini as the default AI assistant. Samsung expanded the Gemini Notebook feature to work across the foldable lineup, allowing users to upload meeting materials and transform them into multiple output formats. The Galaxy AI suite also includes Live Translate, Circle to Search, and Photo Assist.
Pricing and Availability
The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra starts at $2,099 for 256GB. The standard Z Fold8 begins at $1,899 for 256GB, with 512GB and 1TB options available. The Galaxy Z Flip8 pricing has not been finalized, though early signals suggest a price increase over the Flip7. All three devices are expected to ship in August 2026 following pre-orders that opened immediately after the Unpacked event.
FAQ
What is the difference between the Galaxy Z Fold8 and Z Fold8 Ultra?
The Fold8 Ultra has a larger 8-inch main display, a thinner 4.1mm profile when unfolded, and weighs 215 grams versus the standard Fold8’s 201 grams. The Ultra also features premium build materials and starts at $2,099 compared to the standard model’s $1,899 entry price.
Does the Galaxy Z Flip8 have a bigger cover screen than the Flip7?
Yes. The Z Flip8 cover display grows from 3.4 inches on the Flip7 to 4.1 inches, making it more usable for notifications, quick replies, and Gemini AI interactions without unfolding the phone.
When do the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 and Z Flip8 go on sale?
Pre-orders opened right after the July 22 Unpacked event, with general availability expected in August 2026. Exact shipping dates may vary by region.
What processor does the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 use?
All Z Fold8 models run on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen for Galaxy chipset, paired with 12GB of RAM.
