Samsung Unveils New Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Ultra Fold Ahead of Apple Launch

Samsung held a major launch event in London’s Old Market by the Thames on July 22, unveiling its latest foldable smartphone, the Galaxy Z Fold 8. This new model is shorter and wider than its predecessor, featuring a compact closed size resembling a standard passport (12.4 cm tall) and a 7.6-inch internal screen optimized for social media, video, and gaming. It weighs 201 grams and is 4.5 mm thick when open. The Fold 8 is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Elite 5G processor and boasts a 4,800 mAh battery offering up to 28 hours of video playback. Samsung also introduced the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, which retains the previous model’s three cameras including a 200MP main sensor, a 5,000 mAh battery, and an ultra-thin 4.1 mm profile. Both models feature the brightest smartphone displays Samsung has produced, with 3,000 nits brightness.

Alongside the Fold 8 series, Samsung launched the Galaxy Z Flip 8, a smaller, lighter clamshell device aimed at younger users, now equipped with Samsung’s new Exynos 2600 chip and fast charging. Rumors suggest Samsung may discontinue the Flip line if the Fold 8 proves highly successful. All foldable phones incorporate new AI features introduced with the Galaxy S26, including My FanCam for video cropping and Gemini Intelligence for voice-activated tasks like booking rides or summarizing notes.

Pre-orders for the new foldables began immediately in Israel, with official sales starting August 1. Prices start at approximately 6,100 ILS for the Fold 8, 6,900 ILS for the Fold 8 Ultra, and 4,000 ILS for the Flip 8. The top-tier Fold 8 Ultra with 1TB storage costs about 9,000 ILS, making it Samsung’s most expensive smartphone currently available.

Samsung also unveiled two new Galaxy Watch models featuring the Snapdragon Wear Elite processor, improving performance by 32%. The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 targets athletes and divers with a titanium case, a brighter 5,000-nit display, and enhanced battery life, priced from 2,200 ILS. The Galaxy Watch 9 offers a modest upgrade with a 20% larger battery and a 3,000-nit screen, starting at 1,200 ILS. Both watches include advanced AI health monitoring and sleep tracking.

Additionally, Samsung introduced new smart glasses developed with Google and eyewear brands Gentle Monster and Warby Parker. These glasses support AI features like real-time translation, voice and gesture controls, content summarization, and augmented reality navigation. They can capture and share the wearer’s view during conversations or presentations.

The event marked Samsung’s broadest product launch to date, emphasizing foldables, wearables, and smart glasses, positioning the company ahead of Apple’s anticipated foldable iPhone release in September.