Release date, price, and specs
Samsung will unveil the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra and a new, wider Galaxy Z Fold 8 on July 22, 2026, in London, according to Korea Economic TV and confirmed by Android Police. This dual-foldable strategy aims to capture the premium market two months before Apple’s expected foldable debut in September 2026.
When and where will the Galaxy Unpacked event happen?
Samsung is scheduled to hold its Galaxy Unpacked event on July 22, 2026, in London. Korea Economic TV first reported the date, with subsequent confirmation from SamMobile, Android Authority, and Tom’s Guide. This marks the first time Samsung has hosted a summer Unpacked event in the United Kingdom.
Pre-orders are expected to begin the day of the announcement. Based on previous launch cycles, retail availability should begin in the first week of August 2026. Alongside the foldables, Samsung is expected to launch the Galaxy Watch 9 series and “Galaxy Glasses,” a Gemini-powered audio device developed with Gentle Monster, according to industry reports.
Why is Samsung launching two different Fold models?
The move to two distinct form factors is a strategic response to Apple’s entry into the foldable market. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported in April 2026 that an “iPhone Fold” or “iPhone Ultra” is on track for a September 2026 release, likely featuring a wider 4:3 aspect ratio and a price exceeding $2,000.
By launching both a traditional tall foldable (Z Fold 8 Ultra) and a wider tablet-style foldable (Z Fold 8), Samsung creates a two-month market window to establish reviews and carrier deals before Apple ships. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo projects Apple will ship 3 to 5 million units in its first year, with pricing between $2,000 and $2,500.
What are the specs for the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra?
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra maintains the traditional tall book-style shape but introduces significant hardware upgrades. According to renders from SamMobile, the device measures 158.4 x 143.2 x 4.5mm unfolded. However, tipster Ice Universe claims the unfolded thickness is actually 4.1mm.
Performance and Battery
The Ultra will run the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy globally. Memory options include 12GB of RAM for 256GB and 512GB models, and 16GB for the 1TB tier. Multiple independent sources confirm a battery increase to 5,000mAh, up from the 4,400mAh capacity used from the Z Fold 3 through Z Fold 7.
Wired charging will increase to 45W, according to SamMobile. The device will ship with Android 17 and One UI 9, featuring seven years of guaranteed OS and security updates.
Camera and Display
The most significant leap is the ultrawide camera, which moves from 12MP to 50MP, according to SamMobile, GSMArena, and OnLeaks. The main sensor remains a 200MP unit, while the telephoto lens stays at 10MP with 3x optical zoom.
The displays are 6.5-inch (cover) and 8-inch (inner) LTPO OLED panels with 2,600 nits peak brightness. There is a conflict regarding the screen crease: Ice Universe reports no significant improvement, while SamMobile suggests the crease may nearly disappear, rivaling the OPPO Find N6.
What changes in the new Galaxy Z Fold 8 “Wide”?
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is a departure from previous designs, featuring a 4:3 inner display that mimics a small tablet. Ice Universe reports the unfolded dimensions as 161.4mm wide by 123.9mm tall. At 201g, it is 14g lighter than the Ultra model.
Hardware Trade-offs
To achieve the lighter, wider form factor, Samsung has reduced the camera hardware. According to Android Authority, the Fold 8 uses a dual rear camera setup: a 50MP main sensor and a 50MP ultrawide. It lacks the 200MP sensor and the telephoto zoom lens found on the Ultra.
Battery data for the Fold 8 remains contested. SamMobile’s May 4 report suggests a typical capacity of 4,700-4,800mAh, while Android Authority, quoting Ice Universe, cites 4,500mAh. A China 3C certification for model SM-F9710 confirms 45W wired charging support.
How do the two Fold models compare?
| Feature | Z Fold 8 Ultra | Z Fold 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | Tall Book-style | Wide 4:3 Style |
| Weight | 215g | 201g |
| Main Camera | 200MP | 50MP |
| Telephoto | 10MP (3x Zoom) | None |
| Battery | 5,000mAh | ~4,800mAh (reported) |
| US Price | $1,999 – $2,499 | ~$1,800 (estimated) |
What AI features are coming to the Fold 8 series?
Both devices will debut “Gemini Intelligence,” according to Seoul Economic Daily via 9to5Google. This is described as agentic AI capable of automating multi-step tasks across different applications. This feature was notably absent from early One UI 9 betas, suggesting a synchronized launch with the hardware.
The Galaxy AI suite will include Photo Assist, Portrait Studio, Generative Edit, and a redesigned Bixby with natural language understanding. The wider 5.4-inch cover screen on the Z Fold 8 is expected to receive expanded third-party app support via One UI 9 to improve one-handed usability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the price of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra?
According to leaks from TheGalox and SamMobile, the US pricing is expected to be $1,999 for 256GB, $2,199 for 512GB, and $2,499 for 1TB. Some Korean reports from NewsPim suggest higher prices in South Korea due to a 107% increase in mobile memory costs.
When can I buy the Z Fold 8?
The announcement is July 22, 2026. Retail availability is expected in the first week of August 2026.
Does the Z Fold 8 support the S Pen?
According to Ice Universe, Samsung is expected to drop S Pen support for both the Z Fold 8 and Z Fold 8 Ultra to reduce thickness.
How does the Z Fold 8 compare to the rumored iPhone Fold?
The Z Fold 8 shares a similar 4:3 aspect ratio with the rumored iPhone Fold. However, Samsung’s device will launch approximately six to eight weeks earlier and benefits from seven generations of foldable hardware maturity.
Which form factor do you prefer: the traditional tall Fold or the new wide tablet style? Let us know in the comments below or subscribe to our newsletter for live updates from the London Unpacked event.