Samsung will host its Galaxy Unpacked event in London on July 22, 2026, where the company is expected to unveil the Galaxy Z Fold 8, Z Fold 8 Ultra, and Z Flip 8. The launch will also feature new Galaxy Watch models and potentially AI-powered smart glasses developed in collaboration with Google.
The tech giant is pivoting its foldable strategy this summer. According to industry reports, the event, themed A New Shape Unfolds,
marks a departure from traditional product cycles by introducing an “Ultra” tier to the foldable lineup for the first time. The shift comes as Samsung faces increasing pressure to differentiate its hardware in a market where competitors, including Apple, are rumored to be preparing their own foldable entries.
The New Foldable Lineup: Passport-Style and Ultra Variants
Samsung’s foldable strategy is undergoing a significant structural change. While past iterations of the book-style device maintained a consistent form factor, the upcoming release splits the category into two distinct models. As Android Central reported, the standard Galaxy Z Fold 8 is expected to adopt a shorter, wider “passport-style” shape, reportedly designed to compete directly with anticipated foldable iPhones. This design aims to provide a more conventional smartphone experience when closed and a tablet-like aspect ratio when open.
For more on this story, see Boy band BTS’ J-Hope teases the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 ahead of launch – GSMArena.com news.
Positioned above the standard model is the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. Leaked specifications suggest the Ultra will feature significant hardware upgrades, including a 200MP main camera and a creaseless 8-inch primary display.
“Galaxy Z Fold 8 could come in a more passport-like shape that makes it better for watching videos while open. The design is allegedly similar to Apple’s own rumored foldable, and may be sold alongside the Galaxy Flip 8 and a ‘Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra’ with the same aspect ratio as the current Z Fold 7.”
Engadget, reporting on industry leaks
Pricing Pressures and the Memory Crunch
Consumers should prepare for potential price increases across the new lineup.
| Device Model | Expected Starting Price (USD equivalent) |
|---|---|
| Galaxy Z Fold 8 | $1,899 |
| Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra | $2,099 |
| Galaxy Z Flip 8 | ~$1,485 (converted from €1,299) |
AI Integration and the ‘Galaxy Glasses’ Collaboration
Beyond hardware, Samsung is emphasizing its artificial intelligence ecosystem. Vietnam.vn reports that the new foldables will integrate AI. This strategy extends to the upcoming Galaxy Glasses,
a wearable device developed in partnership with Google.
The glasses are expected to feature voice-controlled AI assistants, real-time translation, and visual search capabilities.
Addressing the S26 Ultra ‘Red Screen’ Concern
As the company prepares to launch its new foldables, it is also managing technical fallout from its previous flagship release. Users of the Galaxy S26 Ultra have reported a “red screen” or “red stain” issue, particularly when the display is set to high brightness. According to Androidcentral, Samsung officials have confirmed that this is linked to the phone’s Privacy Display technology and have promised a software update to resolve the concern.
This follows our earlier report, Samsung to Unveil New Foldables With Flex Titanium Tech on July 22.
The company stated that the issue is most noticeable when the device is exposed to strong lighting at maximum brightness.
With many users having owned their devices for three to four months, the upcoming Unpacked event serves as a critical moment for Samsung to demonstrate that its software-driven solutions can effectively mitigate hardware-related performance issues for its high-end user base.
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