Samsung is taking a broader approach to foldables this year with a three-device Galaxy Z8 lineup built around very different priorities. The new Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra is the productivity and content-creation powerhouse, the Galaxy Z Fold8 introduces a shorter and wider design focused on immersive media, and the Galaxy Z Flip8 continues to push the pocketable side of foldables with a thinner build and a more useful cover screen. Instead of forcing every buyer into one version of the foldable experience, Samsung now has a clearer option for productivity, entertainment, or style.
The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra is the flagship of the group, opening into an 8-inch workspace while measuring just 4.1mm when unfolded. Samsung has upgraded the main camera to 200MP with HDR support at full resolution, alongside a new 50MP ultrawide for landscapes, group shots, and macro photography. Improved Nightography should help in darker settings, while 8K video through the APV codec and Cine LUT presets give creators more flexibility when editing or applying a cinematic look directly from the phone.
Samsung also reworked the Fold8 Ultra around sustained performance and everyday use. It runs on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy, packs a 5,000mAh battery, and introduces 45W wired charging and 20W wireless charging to the Z Fold series. An expanded graphite cooling structure helps manage heat during gaming, editing, multitasking, and AI-heavy workloads. Small changes such as beveled edges and revised internal magnets should also make the phone feel easier and more natural to open and close.
Durability remains one of the biggest questions around any foldable, and Samsung is addressing that with its new Flex Titanium display structure. A titanium-alloy film replaces the polymer layer used previously, working alongside an enhanced titanium plate and pressure-sensitive adhesive to improve rigidity, reduce air gaps, and make the crease less noticeable. The displays also reach up to 3,000 nits of peak brightness and use a low-reflection finish for better visibility outdoors. All three phones retain an IP48 water-resistance rating.
The regular Galaxy Z Fold8 may end up being the most interesting addition because it is not simply a smaller Ultra. Samsung gave it a shorter, wider shape with a 7.6-inch inner display using a 4:3 ratio that feels better suited to gaming, streaming, reading, and browsing. Its 10:16 cover-screen ratio is more comfortable for vertical video, social feeds, messaging, and typing. At just 201 grams, Samsung says it is the lightest Galaxy Z Fold it has made, while still carrying the same Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chip, a 4,800mAh battery, and 45W charging.
The Fold8 also brings some clever camera and editing tools built around that wider screen. My FanCam can follow a selected person and automatically reframe footage into different social-friendly aspect ratios, while the updated Photos experience supports natural-language edits in a side-by-side layout. Samsung has also improved Document Scan to clean up creases, shadows, and moiré patterns, which feels like one of those less flashy features that could become genuinely useful once people start using it.
The Galaxy Z Flip8 is Samsung’s slimmest and lightest Flip yet, measuring 6.1mm when unfolded and weighing 180 grams. It pairs a 50MP main camera with an ultrawide lens, enhanced FlexCam shooting, and an updated Super Steady mode with Horizontal Lock to keep footage level while moving. The redesigned FlexWindow is becoming much more than a place to check notifications, with easier access to apps, quick settings, Gemini automation, and an expanded Now Brief that can surface personalized cards and useful information throughout the day.
Galaxy AI is also more deeply connected across the full lineup through One UI 9. Now Brief provides more personalized updates, while Now Nudge can recognize context inside conversations and suggest a next step, such as checking a calendar or saving a location. Gemini automation now works across more than 40 supported apps and services, while Gemini Notebook takes advantage of the Fold displays by letting users drag notes, images, recordings, and files into a persistent workspace for reports, summaries, audio overviews, and other projects. Samsung is also adding an AI Assistant Activity dashboard so users can see what automated actions have taken place and manage them from one location.
Switching from an iPhone is getting easier too. The new version of Smart Switch allows iOS users to scan a QR code and transfer information without installing an additional app, with expanded support for passwords, passkeys, call history, accessibility settings, and eSIM information. Quick Share is also gaining compatibility with AirDrop, making it possible to share supported files between Galaxy and Apple devices in both directions.
The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra starts at $2,099.99, while the Galaxy Z Fold8 starts at $1,899.99. Both will be offered with up to 1TB of storage. The Galaxy Z Flip8 starts at $1,199.99 and will be available with 256GB or 512GB. Colors include Violet Shadow, Graphite, Cream, and an online-exclusive Green Shadow for the Ultra; Lavender, Graphite, Cream, and online-exclusive Pistachio for the Fold8; and Pink, Graphite, Cream, and online-exclusive Mint for the Flip8.
Preorders begin today through Samsung, major carriers, and participating retailers, with general availability starting August 7, 2026. Samsung is offering up to $1,200 in eligible trade-in value or up to $200 in Samsung credit without a trade-in during the preorder period. Each phone also includes a six-month Google AI Pro trial with 5TB of cloud storage.
After spending time moving through Samsung’s demo spaces, the lineup feels less like three versions of the same phone and more like three different answers to why someone would want a foldable. The Ultra is clearly for people who want the largest workspace and the strongest camera system, the Fold8 is lighter and more focused on content, and the Flip8 remains the expressive, pocket-friendly option. Samsung has been building toward this for years, and the Z8 series may be its clearest foldable lineup yet.
