Samsung returned to London yesterday for its second Galaxy Unpacked event of the year, using the historic Old Billingsgate venue to unveil what is arguably the company's biggest evolution of foldable smartphones since the original Galaxy Fold. Rather than simply refining an existing formula, Samsung has expanded its premium foldable lineup with two book-style devices – the Galaxy Z Fold8 and the all-new Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra alongside the Galaxy Z Flip8, Galaxy Watch9, Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and its first AI-powered smart glasses. While there were plenty of announcements throughout the keynote, it was the Fold8 range that stole the show, signalling Samsung's intention to make foldable phones a genuine replacement for both smartphones and tablets.
Galaxy Z Fold8: Refining the Formula
The standard Galaxy Z Fold8 builds on everything Samsung learnt from previous generations while making the device noticeably more practical for everyday use. One of the biggest design changes is its wider, more conventional outer display with a 4:3-inspired aspect ratio. This makes the phone feel much closer to using a traditional flagship smartphone when folded, addressing one of the biggest criticisms of earlier Fold models. Opening the device reveals Samsung's familiar large tablet-like display, but the experience has been improved through a redesigned hinge and the introduction of the company's new Flex Titanium display structure. Samsung claims the new internal construction significantly reduces the visibility of the crease while improving overall durability and rigidity.
Performance comes courtesy of Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, paired with faster memory and improved thermal management. As expected, Galaxy AI sits at the centre of the software experience, with Samsung integrating AI into virtually every aspect of the phone. Real-time translation, intelligent note summarisation, enhanced photo editing, context-aware multitasking and more advanced on-device AI all feature heavily throughout One UI. The larger internal display also allows AI features to operate in multiple windows simultaneously, making productivity one of the Fold8's strongest selling points. Samsung has also continued refining its multitasking software. Running three applications side-by-side feels more natural than ever, while improved drag-and-drop functionality and smarter app continuity make the Fold8 a genuine productivity device rather than simply a novelty.
Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra: Samsung's Ultimate Foldable
The biggest surprise of the event was undoubtedly the introduction of the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra. Rather than replacing the standard Fold8, Samsung has positioned it above the existing model as the company's most premium smartphone ever produced. Immediately noticeable is just how thin the device has become. Measuring only 4.1mm when unfolded and weighing approximately 215g, Samsung says this is its thinnest and lightest Fold to date despite housing a larger 8-inch internal display. The Ultra differentiates itself through premium hardware across the board. The headline feature is a 200MP main camera, bringing Ultra-level imaging performance to Samsung's foldable lineup for the first time. Combined with AI-assisted photography and improved computational imaging, Samsung is clearly targeting creators who previously had to choose between the Galaxy S Ultra series and the Fold lineup.
Like the standard Fold8, the Ultra features the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, but Samsung has also incorporated a new silicon-carbon battery technology designed to improve battery density without increasing the device's thickness. The Flex Titanium display structure returns here too, offering improved durability and an even less noticeable crease than previous Fold generations. Galaxy AI has been expanded specifically for the Ultra's larger display, introducing more intelligent multitasking, contextual productivity features and an enhanced FlexWindow experience that surfaces useful information before the device is even unfolded. Samsung's vision is clear: the Fold8 Ultra is intended to replace both a premium smartphone and a compact productivity tablet.
Galaxy Flip8
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip8 builds on Samsung's successful foldable formula with a slimmer, more refined design, making it even more practical for everyday use. It features a larger and more capable FlexWindow cover display, allowing users to reply to messages, control apps and even use advanced Galaxy AI features without opening the phone. Inside, the 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED display delivers vibrant colours and smooth performance, while the latest Snapdragon chipset ensures fast, efficient operation. Combined with improved durability, enhanced cameras and a bigger battery, the Galaxy Z Flip8 is a stylish foldable that blends flagship performance with the convenience of a compact pocket-friendly design.
Galaxy AI Takes Centre Stage
If there was one message repeated throughout the keynote, it was that hardware alone is no longer enough. Samsung's entire presentation revolved around Galaxy AI becoming a proactive digital assistant rather than simply a collection of individual features. Live translation, intelligent writing assistance, AI photo editing, summarisation, contextual recommendations and productivity tools have all been further refined, while the larger displays of the Fold8 range allow AI to operate across multiple applications simultaneously. Samsung also demonstrated how AI integrates more naturally into multitasking, making the Fold8 series feel less like oversized smartphones and more like portable workstations.
Beyond the Fold
Although the Fold8 range dominated proceedings, Samsung also unveiled the Galaxy Z Flip8, aimed at users wanting a more compact foldable, together with the Galaxy Watch9, Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and its first AI-powered smart glasses, highlighting the company's growing connected ecosystem.
South African Pricing and Availability
Samsung South Africa has confirmed that pre-orders open immediately following the global announcement.
South African pricing:
Galaxy Z Fold8 (256GB): R39,999
Galaxy Z Fold8 (512GB): R42,999
Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra (512GB): R54,999
Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra (1TB): R59,999
Pre-orders run from 22 July until 13 August 2026, with general retail availability beginning on 14 August 2026 through Samsung South Africa and participating network operators and retailers. As with previous launches, customers who pre-order can expect promotional offers such as storage upgrades, trade-in bonuses and selected Galaxy ecosystem bundles, although these may vary by retailer.
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