The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 and Z Flip8 were unveiled on July 22, 2026 in London. The range welcomes a third model and focuses on new formats, Galaxy AI, and increased prices.
Samsung didn't just renew its two usual foldable smartphones at its Galaxy Unpacked event. The South Korean manufacturer presented three devices: the Galaxy Z Flip8, the new Galaxy Z Fold8 in a wider format, and the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, the true successor to the Galaxy Z Fold7.
This new organization allows Samsung to more clearly separate uses. The Fold8 primarily targets content consumption, the Fold8 Ultra maintains a productivity-oriented focus, and the Flip8 remains the compact model of the family.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 adopts an unprecedented format
The main innovation of this generation comes from Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8. Once closed, the smartphone is much shorter and wider than previous Folds. Its dimensions reach 81.9 x 123.9 x 9.7 mm when folded, for a weight of only 201 grams. Samsung presents it as its lightest Galaxy Z Fold to date.
Its 5.5-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X external screen adopts a ratio close to 10:16. After opening, the user discovers a 7.6-inch foldable screen in a 4:3 format, with a resolution of 1,848 x 2,448 pixels and an adaptive refresh rate between 1 and 120 Hz. The brightness can reach 3,000 nits, according to measurements communicated by Samsung during the presentation on July 22, 2026.
This format allows the Fold8 to be used like a small tablet in landscape mode for watching videos, playing games, or browsing web pages. Rotating the device also offers a surface better suited for reading documents and digital books. During hands-on testing, Frandroid noted, however, that black bars remained visible with some video content and that the keyboard could occupy a large part of the small external screen.
The Fold8 uses the new Flex Titaniumstructure, notably composed of a titanium alloy film and a reinforced plate. Samsung claims this technology improves screen resistance, absorbs impacts more effectively, and gradually reduces the visibility of the crease. Initial hands-on impressions nevertheless show that the crease remains perceptible depending on the angle and light.
Inside, Samsung installs the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy, accompanied by 12 or 16 GB of RAM depending on the storage capacity. Three versions are offered with 256 GB, 512 GB, or 1 TB. The battery reaches 4,800 mAh and supports 45W wired charging, capable of recovering up to 63% of energy in about 30 minutes under the manufacturer's test conditions.
A surprisingly limited camera for its price
The Galaxy Z Fold8 features two 50-megapixel rear cameras, a stabilized wide-angle and an ultra-wide-angle. Two 10-megapixel cameras are also present on the outer and inner screens.
Samsung introduces features like Dual Recording, which simultaneously films the subject and the person holding the device, as well as My FanCam. The latter can automatically follow a person in a video and reframe the sequence in a format suitable for social media.
However, the absence of a telephoto lens is a significant compromise on a phone sold for nearly 2,000 euros. To benefit from a 3x optical zoom and a 200-megapixel main sensor, you need to opt for the even more expensive Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra. This choice was also criticized during the initial hands-on reviews published by The Verge and Frandroid.
The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra becomes the true successor to the Fold7
The name of the new range can easily lead to confusion. Despite its name, the standard Galaxy Z Fold8 is not just an evolution of the Fold7. It is the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra which adopts the traditional format, tall when closed and almost square when open.
Its external screen measures 6.5 inches, while the internal display reaches 8 inches. The device is only 4.1 mm thick when unfolded and 8.9 mm when folded, weighing 215 grams.
The Fold8 Ultra has three rear cameras: a 200-megapixel wide-angle, a 50-megapixel ultra-wide-angle, and a 10-megapixel telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. It also benefits from a 5,000 mAh battery, 45W wired charging, and the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy.
Samsung therefore reserves its most advanced photographic features for the Ultra model. The classic Fold8 becomes a more compact alternative, designed more for entertainment than for replacing a traditional premium smartphone.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip8 refines an already known formula
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip8 evolves more discreetly. Its clamshell design remains close to that of the Flip7, but its thickness drops to 6.1 mm when open and 13.1 mm when folded. Its weight drops from 188 to 180 grams.
The main Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen still measures 6.9 inches, with an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120 Hz. The external FlexWindow retains a 4.1-inch diagonal but can now operate at 120 Hz. It allows access to messages, the gallery, widgets, and certain applications without opening the phone.
Samsung also integrates Now Brief into this external screen. This feature brings together weather, appointments, notifications, and various personalized recommendations. Gemini Intelligence can be activated from the side button to automate tasks or act within compatible applications.
In France, the Flip8 uses an Exynos 2600 processor with 12 GB of RAM and 256 or 512 GB of storage. Its battery increases to 4,300 mAh, with wired charging limited to 25W and 15W wireless charging.
The photographic configuration evolves little. It includes a 50-megapixel stabilized main sensor, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle, and a 10-megapixel front camera. The main innovations concern the software, with horizontal locking to stabilize videos, a Camcorder Grip mode, and the ability to use the external screen to frame selfies.
Galaxy AI and One UI 9 at the center of the experience
The three smartphones come with Android 17 and One UI 9, according to the official technical sheet published by Samsung. The interface includes Now Nudge, capable of suggesting an action based on the context of a conversation, as well as a dashboard listing operations performed by artificial intelligence assistants.
Gemini Intelligence can interact with over 40 compatible applications and services. Users can, among other things, search for tickets, find a restaurant, save an address, or organize multiple documents in Gemini Notebook.
Samsung is also strengthening privacy controls. The AI Assistant Activity dashboard allows users to view actions performed by agents, while Knox Vault, Knox Matrix, and KEEP encrypted storage spaces protect personal information used for personalization.
Price and availability of Galaxy Z Fold8 and Z Flip8 in France
Pre-orders are open in France from July 22 to August 6, 2026. General sales will begin on August 7, 2026.
The launch prices are as follows:
- Galaxy Z Flip8 256 GB: 1,299 euros
- Galaxy Z Flip8 512 GB: 1,499 euros
- Galaxy Z Fold8 256 GB: 1,999 euros
- Galaxy Z Fold8 512 GB: 2,199 euros
- Galaxy Z Fold8 1 TB: 2,399 euros
- Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra 256 GB: 2,199 euros
- Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra 512 GB: 2,399 euros
- Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra 1 TB: 2,799 euros
Samsung is temporarily offering a discount on upgrading to a higher storage capacity during pre-orders. Six months of Google AI Pro subscription and 5TB of cloud storage are also included with the new models, according to the terms of the offer valid in July and August 2026.
This eighth generation notably marks a change in strategy. The Galaxy Z Fold8 offers an original and more accessible format than the Ultra, but its lack of a telephoto lens remains difficult to accept at 1,999 euros. The Flip8 appears more familiar, with improvements focused on thinness, battery life, and artificial intelligence. Full reviews will now need to determine if these evolutions are enough to justify the particularly high prices of the range.
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