Samsung Electronics failed to ride out "chipflation" (memory + inflation) and raised prices across the board for its new foldable phones. The top-spec model is close to 3.5 million won, and the "Galaxy Z Flip8," whose price had been frozen for two years, saw a double-digit increase across all storage options.
Samsung Electronics on the 22nd (local time) held its Galaxy Unpacked 2026 event at Old Billingsgate in London and unveiled the "Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra," which keeps the basic fold form factor; the "Galaxy Z Fold8," which widens the device so the unfolded screen ratio becomes 4:3; and the "Galaxy Z Flip8," which folds vertically. For the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra and Galaxy Z Flip8, prices rose by 198,000 won for the 256-gigabyte (GB) model and 292,600 won for the 512GB model compared with their predecessors. The 1-terabyte (TB) model of the Z Fold8 Ultra is 518,100 won more expensive than the previous model.
◇ 4:3 wide "Galaxy Z Fold8" lineup debuts… S series success strategy comes to foldables
Samsung Electronics unveiled the new-form-factor "Galaxy Z Fold8" that day. Unlike earlier Fold models that adopted a tall 10:9 aspect ratio, this new lineup widens the device and shortens its height to apply a 4:3 ratio. As a result, the existing Fold line has been reorganized as the "Galaxy Z Fold Ultra" to serve as the top-tier foldable flagship, with the "Galaxy Z Fold" series newly positioned beneath it. By filling the price gap between the Flip and Ultra, Samsung applied to foldables the "Ultra strategy" that succeeded with the bar-type Galaxy S series. The general model is seen as driving volume, while the Ultra handles profitability and brand image in a two-track approach.
When folded, the "Galaxy Z Fold8" offers an experience similar to a regular smartphone with a 10:16 display. When unfolded, however, its 4:3 display reduces unnecessary top-and-bottom letterboxing during video playback to increase immersion. It weighs 201g, the lightest among Fold models to date, and carries a 4,800mAh battery, 200mAh less than the higher-end "Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra" (5,000mAh). The camera setup features a 50-megapixel dual camera, and it supports "dual recording," which shoots with the front and rear cameras simultaneously, and "My Fancam," which automatically tracks a specific subject and edits the video.
◇ Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra gets a 50-megapixel ultrawide camera… Z Flip8 sees few major changes
The "Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra" matches last year's model in weight (215g) and folded thickness (8.9mm), but trims its unfolded thickness by 0.1mm to 4.1mm, making it the thinnest Fold design yet. The "Galaxy Z Flip8" improves portability by cutting folded thickness by 0.6mm and weight by 8g compared with its predecessor. That said, both new devices show little change in appearance.
The "Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra," the first in the foldable lineup to carry the "Ultra" brand, strengthens camera performance. The 200-megapixel main camera applies HDR to preserve details in bright and dark areas simultaneously, and, for the first time in the Fold series, it adds a 50-megapixel ultrawide camera. The ultrawide camera jumps significantly from the previous model's 12 megapixels. With enhanced Nightography, low-light performance is improved, and it supports 8K video recording based on the APV codec and Cine LUT for film-like color. It is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy (5th generation), and the battery increases by 600mAh over the previous model to 5,000mAh. It is also the first Galaxy Z device to support 45W fast charging and a dual-path charging system, boosting speed and efficiency while reducing heat.
Beyond expanding the usefulness of the "Flex Window" when folded, the Z Flip8 has few major changes from its predecessor. It enables more apps to run without opening the device and supports Agentic AI features that link multiple apps and services using voice commands or the side key alone. A mirror-view function, which lets the screen act like a mirror, is newly added. However, key hardware such as the 4,300mAh battery and the 50-megapixel wide and 12-megapixel ultrawide cameras remain the same as before. Some observers say this could be the last time Samsung releases a Galaxy Z Flip series device.
◇ Flex Titanium display debuts… preorders start July 28
On the technology side, the foldables for the first time adopt a "Flex Titanium" display that combines a titanium-alloy film with a reinforced titanium plate. This improves display durability and reduces screen creases. The "Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra" and "Galaxy Z Fold8" support peak brightness of 3,000 nits, about 15% higher than their predecessors on the main display, and strengthen outdoor visibility with Vision Booster and anti-reflective technology. Samsung introduced Agentic AI that understands the user's situation and on-screen context and links multiple apps for execution, based on Galaxy AI and Google's Gemini Intelligence. In particular, it can connect with more than 40 apps for food delivery, reservations, shopping, schedule management, and more, handling nearby restaurant searches and bookings, schedule management, and ticket lookups. It also offers "Now Brief," which provides schedules, news, and health information as seen on the Galaxy S26 series; "Now Nudge," which suggests the user's next action; and a security framework based on Samsung Knox.
Samsung Electronics will roll out the new Galaxy Z series sequentially in major global markets starting in Korea on Aug. 7. Domestic preorders run from July 28 to Aug. 3. Prices are 2,577,300–3,451,800 won for the "Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra," 2,278,100–3,152,600 won for the "Galaxy Z Fold8," and 1,683,000–1,936,000 won for the "Galaxy Z Flip8." Samsung Electronics will offer a "Double Storage" benefit that upgrades the 256GB model to 512GB for preorder customers at no extra cost. The company had planned to halve the upgrade benefit amid soaring component costs, but reportedly reversed course at the last minute to maintain the existing benefit out of concern that price hikes would hurt sales. Buyers of the 512GB model of the "Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra" and "Galaxy Z Fold8" can upgrade to 1TB by paying an additional 310,700 won.