Samsung Unveils Bold Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Ultra Models to Challenge Rumored Foldable iPhone

Samsung has taken a bold step with its latest generation of foldable phones, positioning them as direct competitors to a rumored foldable iPhone expected this fall. At the Galaxy Unpacked 2026 event in London, the company unveiled the Galaxy Z Fold 8, a uniquely designed flagship, and the more traditional Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, alongside two new smartwatches. With seven years of flagship foldable experience, Samsung emphasized its mature engineering and incremental improvements, particularly in reducing the display crease and enhancing battery life.

Key takeaways

• Samsung announced three new foldable phones, including the uniquely sized Galaxy Z Fold 8 and the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra.
• The Galaxy Z Fold 8 features a passport-sized 4:3 aspect ratio when unfolded, is the lightest Z Fold ever made at 201 grams, and uses new “Flex Titanium” material to minimize the display crease.
• The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra adopts a more traditional narrow design and boasts a significantly larger 5,000mAh battery, up from 4,400mAh.
• Samsung also launched the Galaxy Watch 9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 smartwatches and teased new smart glasses.
• All new products are available for pre-order, with shipping expected to begin on August 7, 2026.

New Foldables Take Center Stage

The highlight of the event was the Galaxy Z Fold 8, which represents a significant design departure. It features a squat, passport-sized form factor with a 7.6-inch AMOLED inner display (120Hz refresh rate) that unfolds to a 4:3 aspect ratio, optimized for immersive video watching and gaming. When closed, it measures 9.7mm thick, thinning to 4.5mm when opened. Samsung claims it is the lightest Z Fold model ever produced. A key engineering improvement is the new “Flex Titanium” material, composed of a titanium-alloy film and plate, which dramatically reduces the visibility of the display crease. ZDNET editors on the ground noted the crease is “the best Samsung has ever shipped” and praised the phone’s ability to lie fully flat when opened.

Expanding the Foldable Lineup

Alongside the standard model, Samsung introduced the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, marking the first “Ultra” variant in its foldable series. This model retains a more conventional narrow design but packs a major upgrade in battery capacity, jumping to 5,000mAh. Both phones are part of Samsung’s strategy to solidify its foldable market leadership ahead of Apple’s anticipated entry. The company also announced the Galaxy Watch 9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, continuing its wearable portfolio expansion, and provided a teaser for upcoming smart glasses.

Why it matters

Samsung’s 2026 Unpacked event underscores the intensifying competition in the high-end smartphone market, particularly the foldable segment. By launching a uniquely designed flagship and an Ultra model with a massive battery, Samsung is not just iterating on its own technology but actively shaping consumer expectations before a key rival, Apple, potentially enters the fray. The focus on minimizing the display crease and improving ergonomics addresses long-standing user concerns, demonstrating how competition drives tangible innovation. The success of these devices will test whether Samsung’s multi-year head start in foldables can withstand the market disruption of a foldable iPhone.