.png "The new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 series lineup including Ultra model on a display table")
Samsung may have reduced one of the biggest complaints about foldable phones: size. The bigger question now is whether AI can convince people that a foldable experience is worth the premium.
July 28, 2026
At Galaxy Unpacked July 2026 in London, Samsung Electronics unveiled its eighth-generation Galaxy Z series. By combining AI features that understand users with hardware tailored to different lifestyles, this new lineup offers three distinct foldable experiences: the flagship Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, the redesigned Galaxy Z Fold8, and the AI-focused Galaxy Z Flip8.
The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra is not only a new foldable phone — it is Samsung's test of whether AI can become the next reason people upgrade.
▲ (From left) Galaxy Z Flip8, Galaxy Z Fold8 and Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra
Quick Take
The Core Shift: The biggest change is not the folding screen. It is Samsung's attempt to turn AI into the reason people upgrade.
Introduction: Samsung introduced three new foldables: Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Fold8, and Flip8.
The Star: Fold8 Ultra becomes the first Ultra-branded foldable with an 8-inch display and 4.1mm unfolded thickness.
The Question: Are consumers ready to pay premium prices for AI-focused foldables in 2026?
Why Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra Matters
Samsung's first Ultra-branded foldable is not just another hardware upgrade. It represents the company's aggressive attempt to position foldables as mainstream productivity devices rather than premium experiments. By pushing the boundaries of thinness and display size, Samsung is positioning foldables as a direct alternative to traditional flagship smartphones, including devices from Apple and Google.
Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra Deep Dive: The Ultra Experience
The first thing that stands out is how thin the device is. Unfolding it reveals a spacious 8-inch main display. Measuring just 4.1 millimetres thick when unfolded and weighing only 215 grams, the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra is the thinnest Galaxy Z Fold yet. Despite its massive footprint, it is designed to be comfortable to carry and use throughout the day.
The display has been refined to deliver smoother, more comfortable folding. Samsung’s proprietary Flex Titanium technology helps minimise the display crease while enhancing durability. The folding magnets, hinge mechanism, and display tension have been precisely optimised, while refinements to the edge design make the device easier to unfold.
▲ Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra features a remarkably thin profile when unfolded.
The expansive display also unlocks enhanced AI experiences designed for multitasking:
Gemini Notebook: Streamlines the process of organising meeting materials and notes. Users can upload a PDF of meeting minutes or an audio recording of a presentation to generate a summary of the key points, then transform the same source material into a variety of formats — including AI-generated videos, presentation slides, podcasts, and quizzes.
Now Nudge: Samsung's AI assistant anticipates when multitasking is needed. For example, Now Nudge can suggest adding dinner plans from a messaging app to the calendar and open the Calendar app in Multi Window.
Under the hood, it is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon® 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy and a 5,000mAh battery, supporting these advanced AI experiences and seamless multitasking on the expansive display.
▲ Gemini Notebook
▲ Now Nudge
▲ Flex Titanium technology reduces crease visibility.
Galaxy Z Fold8 Features: A Foldable, Reimagined
Redesigned with an all-new form factor, the Galaxy Z Fold8 introduces new display proportions across its 5.5-inch cover screen and a 7.6-inch main display.
▲ Galaxy Z Fold8 features new display proportions across its 5.5-inch cover screen and a 7.6-inch main display.
Unfolding the device expands the main display to a 4:3 aspect ratio, which is ideal for watching movies or playing games. Rotating the device switches to a 3:4 aspect ratio that feels more natural for reading e-books or browsing the web. The cover screen’s 10:16 aspect ratio also provides a familiar experience for browsing short-form content.
A 4,800mAh battery supports more than 26 hours of video playback. Weighing just 201 grams, the Galaxy Z Fold8 is the lightest Galaxy Z Fold yet and remains comfortable to hold, even during extended viewing sessions.
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▲ Optimised aspect ratios enhance content immersion.
The Galaxy Z Fold8 goes beyond content consumption with powerful tools for creating and editing:
My FanCam: Galaxy AI-powered feature that makes it easy to create videos focused on a specific person. After selecting a video in the Gallery app, users can launch My FanCam and choose the subject to follow. The video is then automatically reframed around the selected subject.
Advanced AI Capabilities: The device delivers more advanced task-oriented AI features. For example, Samsung demonstrated a scenario where its AI agent could help users find accommodations based on their requests, running actions smoothly while they continue using other apps.
▲ My FanCam
▲ Agentic AI
Galaxy Z Flip8 Improvements: More Without Unfolding
The Galaxy Z Flip8 makes a strong first impression with its thin, lightweight design. Measuring 6.1 millimetres thick when unfolded and weighing only 180 grams, it offers excellent portability. A stronger frame and a more durable hinge made with a new high-strength material improve durability while maintaining the device’s slim profile.
▲ Galaxy Z Flip8 is comfortable to hold.
One of the Galaxy Z Flip8’s biggest upgrades is its more versatile FlexWindow. Users can check important information and access their favourite features without unfolding the device.
Here are the key highlights of the Flip8:
Now Brief: From FlexWindow, users can instantly see the day’s weather, schedule, and important notifications. Everyday information such as exchange rates and stock updates are organised into personalised cards.
Full App Functionality: App functionality extends to FlexWindow. Without unfolding the device, users can browse photos in the Gallery app, chat with friends through messaging apps, and quickly complete tasks.
The camera experience has also been refined:
Camcorder Grip: Exclusive to the Galaxy Z Flip series, this enables stable one-handed recording.
Super Steady: Horizontal lock helps keep footage smooth and level, even on the move.
Dual Recording: Captures both the creator and the subject in the same video. Opening the Camera app displays the creator’s view at the top of the screen and the subject’s view below, allowing both perspectives to be recorded simultaneously. A live preview is also available on the cover screen.
▲ Now Brief on FlexWindow
▲ Dual Recording
The Foldable Reality Check
Better Portability: With the Z Fold8 Ultra down to 4.1mm, thickness is no longer a primary barrier to carrying a foldable.
Better Multitasking: Expansive displays combined with split-window features offer true pocket workstation capabilities.
Higher Cost: Despite physical refinements, foldables still carry a heavy price premium over standard smartphones.
The Foldable Adoption Test
Samsung has improved the physical design, but the bigger market challenge remains unchanged: convincing millions of smartphone users that a foldable solves a problem they actually have. While hardware refinements offer a larger screen, better multitasking, and AI assistance, proving everyday utility remains the ultimate hurdle.
The Real Question: Who Actually Needs a Foldable?
A larger screen sounds impressive, but most smartphone users already have powerful devices. The real question is whether the extra display space changes daily habits. For tasks like handling heavy email flows, split-screen multitasking, document editing, and deep AI-driven workflows, a foldable acts as a genuine portable workstation. For casual browsing, traditional candy-bar phones remain lighter, cheaper, and structurally simpler.
Editorial Analysis: The AI Bet and Pricing Reality
Samsung's biggest challenge is not hardware anymore. With the Z Fold8 Ultra reaching 4.1mm thickness, Samsung appears to have addressed some of the long-standing concerns around foldable device thickness and portability. The real challenge is proving that Samsung's AI-powered features create enough daily value rather than becoming features that provide limited long-term value after initial use.
The AI Test
A feature that summarizes meetings sounds impressive. But the real question is whether users will rely on it every week or simply try it once after purchase.
Pricing Reality
Samsung has positioned the Z series as premium devices. While official pricing has not been fully detailed for all regions, the biggest adoption challenge will likely be whether consumers see enough daily value from foldable displays and AI features to justify a higher cost compared with conventional smartphones.
Who Wins and Who Loses?
Who Wins?
Productivity Users: Benefit from a large display, AI multitasking, and note organization tools.
Creators: Benefit from features like Dual Recording, My FanCam, and the versatile FlexWindow.
Who Loses?
Traditional Flagship Buyers: May find it difficult to justify the higher price and lingering foldable durability concerns when normal candy-bar phones are already exceptionally powerful.
Buyer Decision Guide: Which Model Should You Choose?
| If You Want | Choose | Why? |
| Maximum productivity | Fold8 Ultra | Largest display, Ultra performance, Gemini Notebook productivity. |
| Lighter foldable experience | Fold8 | Ideal 4:3 unfolded aspect ratio, lightweight for long sessions. |
| Compact creator phone | Flip8 | Ultra-portable, unique camera modes (Camcorder Grip, Dual Recording). |
| Best value | Traditional Flagship | Avoids the massive price premium associated with foldable form factors. |
Galaxy Z Series Quick Comparison
| User Type | Best Choice | Why? |
| Business users | Fold8 Ultra | Built for heavy multitasking and professional productivity. |
| Creators | Flip8 | Unmatched portability and vlogging camera angles. |
| Media users | Fold8 | Optimized 4:3 display ratio for immersive media consumption. |
| Budget buyers | Traditional Flagship | Skips the foldable cost premium altogether. |
| Feature | Galaxy Z Fold8 | Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra | Galaxy Z Flip8 |
| Main Display | 7.6-inch (New 4:3) | 8.0-inch expansive | Not specified |
| Cover Screen | 5.5-inch | 6.5-inch | 3.4-inch |
| Thickness (Unfolded) | Not specified | 4.1 mm | 6.1 mm |
| Weight | 201g | 215g | 180g |
| Durability | Armor Aluminum | Flex Titanium | High-strength material hinge |
| Processor | Snapdragon® 8 Elite Gen 5 | Snapdragon® 8 Elite Gen 5 | Snapdragon® 8 Elite Gen 5 |
| Battery | 4,800mAh | 5,000mAh | 4,000mAh |
| Key AI Features | My FanCam, AI Agent | Gemini Notebook, Now Nudge | Now Brief, Dual Recording |
Final Verdict
The eighth-generation Galaxy Z series represents Samsung's biggest push yet to make foldables a broader smartphone category. The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra shows how the company believes thin hardware, large displays, and AI-powered workflows can help foldables compete with traditional flagship devices. While the core hardware improvements are significant, the real success of this lineup will depend on consumer adoption of Samsung's AI vision.
Reader Discussion
Would you replace a traditional flagship phone with a foldable, or is the higher price still too difficult to justify?
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