Samsung Strikes First As They Launched 3 New Foldables to Steal Apple’s Thunder
In what is expected to be the most significant year for foldable smartphones to date, Samsung has taken the first significant step. The company unveiled the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold 8, and Galaxy Z Flip 8, three new foldable devices, at Galaxy Unpacked in July 2026 in London.
There is no coincidence in the timing. In September 2026, Apple is anticipated to release its first foldable iPhone, and Samsung is making sure it has a head start.
Quick Overview
| Detail | Information |
| Event | Galaxy Unpacked July 2026, London |
| New Phones | Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold 8, Galaxy Z Flip 8 |
| Pre-order Date | July 22, 2026 |
| Shipping Date | August 7, 2026 |
| Apple’s Expected Launch | September 2026 |
| Expected iPhone Fold Price | $1,999–$2,500 |
| Projected Apple Foldable Market Share | 25% in first year |
The Three New Samsung Foldables
Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra: The Premium Powerhouse
Samsung has introduced the “Ultra” model, which offers the best performance possible for a foldable device, to its lineup for the first time. Samsung’s most ambitious foldable to date is the Fold 8 Ultra, which starts at $2,100.
Key specifications:
- Display: 8-inch inner display, 6.5-inch cover screen with 120Hz refresh rate.
- Thickness: Just 4.1mm when unfolded. Weight: 215 grams – the thinnest Galaxy Z Fold yet.
- Camera: 200MP main sensor + 50MP ultrawide + 10MP telephoto.
- Battery: 5,000mAh with 45W fast charging.
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy.
AI features:
The Fold 8 Ultra introduces Gemini Notebook, which can generate summaries, presentations, slides, and quizzes from source materials. Agentic AI anticipates when multitasking is needed and opens Multi Window automatically.
Samsung has also addressed one of the biggest complaints about foldables: the crease. The company is using a new titanium alloy film over the display that helps make the crease less obvious, along with a thin titanium plate beneath the display.
Galaxy Z Fold 8: A Completely Redesigned Foldable
The standard Galaxy Z Fold 8 has been completely reimagined with a new form factor. Starting at $1,900, it represents a major departure from previous Fold models.
What’s new:
The Fold 8 has moved to a shorter and wider design, making it ideal for watching video, reading books, and gaming. The inner display now features a 4:3 aspect ratio, which means videos fill more of the screen.
Key specifications:
- Inner display: 7.6-inch with 4:3 aspect ratio.
- Cover screen: 5.5-inch with 10:16 aspect ratio.
- Weight: 201 grams – the lightest Galaxy Z Fold yet.
- Camera: 50MP main + 50MP ultrawide (no telephoto).
- Battery: 4,800mAh Video.
- Playback: Over 26 hours.
AI features:
Making videos that highlight a particular person is simple with My FanCam. The AI automatically reframes a video in the Gallery app around the selected topic after you select it.
Galaxy Z Flip 8: More Without Unfolding
The clamshell-style Flip 8 focuses on portability and convenience. Starting at $1,200, it’s the most accessible of the three new foldables.
Key specifications:
- Inner display: 6.9-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2x with 120Hz refresh rate.
- FlexWindow: 4.1-inch cover screen (larger than previous models).
- Weight: 180 grams.
- Camera: 50MP main + 12MP ultrawide.
- Battery: 4,300mAh.
What’s new:
Now that the FlexWindow is more capable, users can open numerous apps without unfolding the device. Personalized daily updates, such as the weather, schedule, and critical alerts, are now displayed directly on the cover screen of Brief.
The AI Factor: What Makes These Phones Different
All three new foldables share several AI features powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor.
Key AI capabilities:
| Feature | Description |
| Agentic Gemini | Automates tasks across 40+ supported apps – orders tickets, books hotels, manages schedules. |
| My FanCam | Automatically tracks and reframes video around a selected subject. |
| Now Nudge | Suggests actions like adding dinner plans from messages to the calendar. |
| Gemini Notebook | Generates summaries, presentations, podcasts, and quizzes from source materials. |
The phone can order concert tickets on the user’s behalf thanks to Google Gemini’s automated agentic features. Before placing an order, a final confirmation is needed, and users can see how each request is progressing step-by-step.
Why Samsung Made These Changes
The Threat from Apple
As Apple gets ready to join the foldable market, Samsung is undergoing a makeover. In September 2026, the first foldable iPhone is anticipated to be unveiled. It will have a book-style design with an approximately 5.5-inch outer display and a 7.8-inch inner display. The anticipated price range is between $1,999 and $2,500.
Market forecasts: Counterpoint. According to research, Samsung will continue to hold the top spot in the foldable smartphone market in 2026 with a 32% share, down from 40% in 2025. In its first year, Apple might take 25% of the market, while Huawei is predicted to hold 24%.
The Shift to Wider Designs
The market is shifting toward book-style foldables that are wider and shorter. According to Counterpoint Research;
“As AI features expand beyond chat-based interactions into routine workflows, a broader book-type design may become more pertinent. More screen space and a more flexible layout are beneficial for tasks like managing schedules, editing content, summarizing documents, and transferring data between apps.
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 is a direct response to this trend. The device provides a more natural experience for reading, watching videos, and multitasking by switching to a 4:3 aspect ratio.
Comparison: Samsung’s Foldables vs. The Rumored iPhone Fold
| Feature | Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra | Galaxy Z Fold 8 | Galaxy Z Flip 8 | Expected iPhone Fold |
| Price | $2,100 | $1,900 | $1,200 | $1,999–$2,500 |
| Inner Display | 8-inch | 7.6-inch | 6.9-inch | ~7.8-inch |
| Outer Display | 6.5-inch | 5.5-inch | 4.1-inch | ~5.5-inch |
| Cameras | 200MP + 50MP + 10MP | 50MP + 50MP | 50MP + 12MP | Dual (main + ultrawide) |
| Weight | 215g | 201g | 180g | Unknown |
| Battery | 5,000mAh | 4,800mAh | 4,300mAh | 5,000–5,500mAh |
| Chip | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | A20 Pro (2nm) |
What Experts Are Saying
Liz Lee, Associate Director at Counterpoint Research:
“2026 will mark a new phase for the foldable smartphone market. Apple’s entry is expected to lift overall consumer awareness and raise the benchmark for premium foldables, but Samsung still has a clear advantage in product maturity, channel reach and foldable user experience.”
Byung Duk Yang, Samsung Executive Vice President:
“Reducing the crease visibility should not compromise any other benefits in the device. We dedicated a lot of our time and energy to minimizing the crease.”
Leave a Reply