Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra at its Unpacked event in London on July 22, 2026, marking the first time the company branded a foldable phone with the “Ultra” designation. The new flagship runs Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, paired with 12GB or 16GB of RAM and up to 1TB of storage, backed by a 5,000mAh battery supporting 45W wired charging.

The Z Fold 8 Ultra represents Samsung’s push to position foldable phones as mainstream productivity devices. The move signals confidence in the category after years of niche appeal. Competitors have watched foldable adoption carefully, and Samsung’s expansion into an Ultra tier suggests the company sees profitable volume ahead.

Screen improvements address durability concerns

The 6.9-inch AMOLED main display comes with what Samsung describes as reduced crease visibility. Reviewers have noted the crease as foldable phones’ most persistent aesthetic liability, and Samsung’s engineering here matters to mainstream buyers. The cover screen is 5.6 inches with thinner bezels than before.

Real-world durability matters more than marketing language. The Z Fold 8 Ultra uses Gorilla Glass Armor on the cover and a new hinge design Samsung says reduces friction. Early hands-on coverage from The Verge and TechCrunch will determine whether durability actually improves or whether Samsung simply improved the perception.

Z Flip 8 and AI features close the product line

Alongside the Fold 8 Ultra, Samsung launched the Galaxy Z Flip 8, featuring a 6.9-inch main screen with a 4.1-inch cover display and 4,300mAh battery with 25W fast wired charging. Both phones ship with Samsung’s latest AI features, tuned for on-device processing to address privacy concerns competitors have highlighted.

The timing places Samsung’s foldables directly in the path of iPhone’s September launch. Samsung often launches first and stakes out the narrative before Apple responds.

Price positioning will determine uptake

Samsung has not confirmed UK or US pricing. Previous Ultra models command a £500+ premium over standard versions. If Samsung prices aggressively, it signals confidence in market size. A conservative price suggests caution about adoption beyond early adopters.

The Fold 8 Ultra’s success depends less on features and more on whether foldables move from aspirational to everyday. Samsung just raised the bet.