Samsung Unveils Eighth Generation Foldables with New Form Factor and Advanced Smartwatches

Samsung has officially launched its eighth annual update to its highly popular foldable smartphone line, introducing a significant expansion to its lineup with the debut of the Galaxy Z Fold8. This new device features a long-anticipated wide form factor, marking a strategic move to diversify its foldable offerings. The Z Fold8 takes its place alongside the flagship Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, which directly succeeds last year’s Galaxy Z Fold7, and the more compact Galaxy Z Flip8, the successor to the Galaxy Z Flip7. This expanded family of foldables raises the question of whether the Z Fold8 will serve as an essential link in Samsung’s innovative ecosystem or find itself as an unconventional middle child. Complementing these new smartphones, Samsung has also unveiled a pair of new smartwatches: the Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and the Galaxy Watch9.

All the newly announced phones are currently available for preorder, offering consumers an early opportunity to experience Samsung’s latest innovations. To assist potential buyers in navigating the choices, a detailed breakdown of the key differences and shared characteristics among these devices is essential for making an informed decision. It is also worth noting that Samsung maintains a broad portfolio of other smartphones, with top recommendations available in comprehensive guides.

Identifying the Ideal Samsung Galaxy Z Foldable for You

The eighth generation of Samsung Galaxy Z foldables shares a foundation of cutting-edge technology, ensuring a premium user experience across the board. While the exterior and foldout screen sizes vary significantly to cater to diverse preferences, all three models — the Z Fold8 Ultra, Z Fold8, and Z Flip8 — incorporate Samsung’s advanced Dynamic AMOLED 2X display technology. This ensures a consistent and high-quality visual experience, boasting a 120-Hz adaptive refresh rate for incredibly smooth scrolling and fluid animations, support for High Dynamic Range (HDR) content for vibrant visuals, and an impressive peak brightness of up to 3,000 nits. This exceptional brightness ensures excellent readability even in direct sunlight, a crucial feature for outdoor use. Furthermore, these displays are equipped with features designed to filter blue light, actively working to reduce eye strain during prolonged usage.

Durability and design innovation are central to this generation. Both the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra and the new Galaxy Z Fold8 feature a pioneering Flex Titanium layer within their main displays. This advanced titanium-alloy film is engineered to significantly reduce the visibility of the display crease, a common concern in earlier foldable generations, while simultaneously enhancing the screen’s strength, flexibility, and overall resilience. The result is a display that is not only expected to last longer but also presents a noticeably flatter and smoother surface, complemented by an anti-reflective finish that minimizes glare for an improved viewing experience.

Underpinning the performance of all three new foldable phones is Qualcomm’s powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor. This state-of-the-art chipset ensures swift and efficient operation, whether multitasking, gaming, or running demanding applications. Standard configurations for all models include 12 GB of RAM, coupled with storage options of 256 GB or 512 GB. For users requiring even greater performance and storage capacity, the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra and Galaxy Z Fold8 offer an elevated option of 16 GB of RAM and a massive 1 TB of internal storage.

Beyond internal specifications, Samsung has prioritized robust build quality. All three devices carry an IP48 rating for water and dust resistance, offering a good level of protection against everyday elements. They are also constructed with Samsung’s Advanced Armor Aluminum frame, a material chosen for its scratch-resistant properties and its ability to withstand minor drops, contributing to the overall longevity and durability of the devices.

Charging capabilities are also robust across the line. The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra and Galaxy Z Fold8 support fast wired charging at up to 45 watts and fast wireless charging at 20 watts, allowing for quick power-ups. The Galaxy Z Flip8, while still offering fast charging, operates at slightly lower speeds for both wired and wireless options. A convenient feature shared by all three is Wireless PowerShare, which enables users to wirelessly charge other compatible devices, such as wireless earbuds, simply by placing them on the back of the phone. Connectivity is cutting-edge, including support for Wi-Fi 7 for ultra-fast wireless internet and Ultra Wideband (UWB) technology for enhanced spatial awareness and device location.

While sharing many core technologies, the camera systems are where the three foldables truly diverge, catering to different user needs and preferences.

The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra: The Pinnacle of Foldable Innovation

Priced at $2,100, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra stands as the company’s largest and most premium foldable offering. It is designed for users who desire the most expansive screen real estate available in a smartphone, yet still value the ability to fold it into a more compact form factor that closely resembles a traditional smartphone when closed. Its 6.5-inch cover display and refined, slimmer design exude sophistication, though its closed form may not be outwardly distinctive. However, opening the device reveals an impressive 8-inch inner screen, which provides an experience akin to having two 6.5-inch displays side-by-side, ideal for productivity and immersive media consumption.

This iteration of the Fold Ultra benefits from Samsung’s continuous annual refinements, resulting in a device that feels both smoother and stronger. Both the cover and inner displays incorporate Samsung’s latest display technology, featuring a silky smooth adaptive refresh rate that dynamically adjusts to content, thereby optimizing power consumption. A significant upgrade comes in the form of a larger 5,000 mAh battery, a notable increase over its predecessor, the Fold7. This larger capacity, combined with support for faster wired and wireless charging, promises enhanced endurance and quicker turnaround times between charges. A minor point of consideration for some users might be the absence of magnetic Qi2 charging, a feature that offers convenient docking and precise wireless charging alignment.

What truly elevates the Z Fold8 Ultra to "ultra" status is its exceptional camera system. It boasts a top-tier triple-lens setup, comprising a formidable 200-megapixel main shooter, a versatile 50-megapixel ultrawide lens, and a dedicated 10-megapixel telephoto lens capable of 3X optical zoom. Both the main and ultrawide cameras are equipped to record stunning 8K video, providing unparalleled detail. Furthermore, users will find a comprehensive suite of AI-assisted features integrated into the photo and video editing options, enhancing creative possibilities and simplifying complex adjustments.

Who it’s for: The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra is engineered for the flagship enthusiast who demands the absolute best in terms of technology, display size, and camera capabilities, and is prepared to invest accordingly to acquire the leading edge of smartphone innovation.

The Galaxy Z Fold8: A New Perspective on Foldables

At a price point of $1,900, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 introduces an intriguing departure from established foldable designs. Historically, premium folding phones have largely fallen into two categories: the book-style format exemplified by the Z Fold8 Ultra, or the significantly smaller flip-style phones like the Z Flip8. The Z Fold8 carves out a unique middle ground, presenting a fresh face with a distinctive wide form factor. It is notably shorter than the Z Fold8 Ultra, measuring 124 mm compared to the Ultra’s 158 mm. However, it is also considerably wider when unfolded, spanning 161 mm versus the Ultra’s 143 mm (or 82 mm compared to 73 mm when folded).

This novel form factor results in a 7.6-inch inner display with a 4:3 (landscape) or 3:4 (portrait) aspect ratio, which can feel more natural and optimized for certain types of media consumption and productivity tasks. While the unfolded screen size is not drastically different from the Ultra’s, the experience of using the Z Fold8 when closed may require some adjustment due to its shorter and wider, somewhat squat appearance, despite the differences being only a few millimeters. A key advantage of this design is its portability; at just 201 grams, it is currently the lightest large-screen foldable smartphone on the market, enhancing its pocket-friendliness.

In terms of core performance, display technology, and many other specifications, the Galaxy Z Fold8 mirrors the capabilities of the Z Fold8 Ultra, ensuring a consistent high-end user experience. The primary difference lies in its battery, which is slightly smaller at 4,800 mAh. The most significant divergence, however, is found in its camera system. The Z Fold8 features a dual-camera setup consisting of two 50-megapixel lenses (one wide and one ultrawide). It notably omits a dedicated telephoto lens, though it still offers up to 10X digital zoom. Despite this, it retains the ability to record video in 8K resolution. Samsung has also integrated advanced software features such as dual recording, which allows users to capture footage from multiple cameras simultaneously, and "FanCam," a post-video editing tool that enables users to tap on a subject within recorded footage to automatically generate a reframed clip, keeping the subject centered for social media-ready content without manual cropping.

Who it’s for: The Galaxy Z Fold8 is tailored for individuals who are adventurous and seek something distinctively different from conventional smartphone designs. It appeals to those who appreciate innovative form factors and are willing to explore new ways of interacting with their device.

The Galaxy Z Flip8: Portability Meets Style

Available at $1,200, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip8 distinguishes itself as the lightest and thinnest flip phone globally, a feat achieved through its meticulously redesigned chassis. It represents an ideal choice for users who value extreme portability and a nostalgic nod to smaller phones, as it elegantly folds shut to effortlessly slide into any pocket or bag. When closed, it features a practical 4.1-inch cover screen, which then unfolds to reveal a generous 6.9-inch candy bar-style main display. This main screen benefits from Samsung’s top-tier display technology, ensuring vivid visuals and smooth interactions.

The Z Flip8 has been engineered for enhanced toughness and durability, promising a more resilient device than its predecessors. It also benefits from the same excellent Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, ensuring top-end performance akin to its larger foldable siblings. While its 4,300 mAh battery is smaller than those in the Fold models, the significantly smaller screens of the Flip8 are likely to result in comparable overall stamina, optimizing power usage. Its wired and wireless charging speeds are a touch slower than those of the Fold8 Ultra and Fold8, but still efficient for daily use. The camera system on the Z Flip8 is more streamlined, comprising a 50-megapixel main shooter complemented by a 12-megapixel ultrawide lens. Video recording capabilities peak at 4K, which is more than sufficient for the vast majority of users and their content creation needs.

Who it’s for: The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip8 is perfectly suited for individuals who prioritize portability above all else, yet still desire a fun, stylish, and highly satisfying flip design that offers the gratifying sensation of snapping shut.

Acquiring the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Fold8, and Flip8 Unlocked

For maximum flexibility and convenience, purchasing your new smartphone unlocked is highly recommended. An unlocked device allows users to freely switch between mobile carriers to find the best deals and easily utilize international eSIMs when traveling abroad, avoiding costly roaming charges. All Galaxy Z phones sold directly through Samsung’s official website are provided unlocked, offering this crucial advantage.

The optimal platform for purchasing a Galaxy Z phone is generally Samsung.com. This direct channel often provides access to exclusive color options not available elsewhere, along with various promotions, bundle deals, and trade-in offers that can significantly reduce the overall cost of the new device. Customers purchasing these phones also receive a six-month trial of Google AI Pro, adding further value.

Furthermore, consumers considering these devices might find additional benefits by acquiring them with the Galaxy Card. This specialized credit card offers attractive cash rewards: 5 percent on all in-store or online purchases made directly from Samsung in the US, 3 percent cash rewards on purchases made using Samsung Wallet, 2 percent cash rewards on streaming service subscriptions, and 1 percent cash rewards on all other transactions made with the physical card.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and Watch9: Advancements in Wearable Technology

Alongside its new foldable smartphones, Samsung has also introduced its latest generation of smartwatches. The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra2, succeeding the original Samsung Watch Ultra, promises enhanced accuracy, speed, and overall smoothness, thanks to the integration of the new Snapdragon Wear Elite chipset. This new flagship smartwatch boasts the brightest display ever seen in a smartwatch, reaching an astonishing peak brightness of up to 5,000 nits, ensuring exceptional visibility in any lighting condition. While retaining its premium titanium construction, both the watch case and the accompanying band have been engineered to be thinner and lighter, improving comfort and wearability. Under the hood, the Watch Ultra2 is packed with specialized pro-level sport tracking features, comprehensive hydration guidance, and even depth measurement capabilities specifically designed for divers, making it a robust companion for athletes and adventurers.

The Galaxy Watch9 also makes its debut, building upon the foundation of the Watch8. It shares the same powerful Snapdragon Wear Elite chipset as the Ultra2, ensuring responsive performance. Its display offers a bright 3,000 nits, providing clear visuals. A significant improvement comes in the form of a 20 percent battery capacity bump over its predecessor, bringing it to 390 mAh, which translates to longer usage times between charges. The Watch9 is designed as a comprehensive health and fitness tracker, capable of monitoring vital signs, issuing warnings about any deviations from a user’s usual baseline health metrics, and providing a personalized fitness score along with tailored recommendations to improve overall health and well-being.