Samsung held its second Galaxy Unpacked event of 2026 on July 22 in London, announcing new foldable phones: the Galaxy Z Flip 8, the Galaxy Z Fold 8, and a new shorter, wider book-style foldable. The phones bring incremental upgrades to Samsung’s year-old flagship line.

Foldables remain expensive, niche products. But Samsung’s committed to the form factor, betting that thinner bezels, better cameras, and faster chips will shift consumer perception from novelty to necessity.

The Galaxy Z Flip 8

The Z Flip 8 features a 6.9-inch inner AMOLED screen with 120Hz refresh, a 4.1-inch cover screen, three cameras (50MP main, 12MP ultrawide outside, 10MP selfie inside), 4,300mAh battery with 45W charging, and 256GB or 512GB storage paired with 12GB RAM.

The improvements are real but incremental: faster charging, thinner hinge, better crease reduction. These matter for everyday use but don’t justify a purchase alone. Most Z Flip owners will skip the upgrade.

The Fold 8 and the New Book Foldable

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 continues Samsung’s premium tablet form factor. The new shorter, wider book-style option targets users who want something between a phone and a tablet—pocketable but expansive.

Samsung didn’t reveal pricing or specs for the new model. That silence suggests it’s experimental: a test to see if the market wants a third folding pattern.

Watches and Timing

Samsung also announced the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 and Watch 9, both using Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon Wear Elite chip with 2GB RAM. They’re thinner and lighter than predecessors—a pattern across the entire product line this year.

July 22 timing ensures these hit retail before back-to-school and summer travel peaks. International launch in London signals confidence outside the US market.

Samsung’s folding phones are getting more refined, cheaper to make, and closer to mainstream. This year’s iteration won’t convert skeptics. But next year’s might.