Samsung Unpacked 2026: what to anticipate from the Z Fold 8

      Samsung has chosen London for its summer showcase, aiming to surprise attendees with something uniquely folded. Aside from the date and a teaser, the company has revealed very little information.

      Galaxy Unpacked is scheduled for Tuesday, 22 July, at 2pm BST, and will be streamed on Samsung’s website and YouTube, according to CNET. The official tagline is “a new shape unfolds.” What follows relies on leaks rather than specifications.

      The main attraction: a wider Z Fold 8

      The highlight is the Galaxy Z Fold 8. Leaks suggest it will feature a wider, shorter “passport” design, equipped with a cover screen of approximately 5.5 inches and an inner display of 7.6 inches. This deviates from the tall, narrow form factor that has characterized every Fold model since 2019.

      A significant improvement is the crease. Samsung has indicated a new hinge referred to as Flex Titanium, which is reported to result in a less noticeable fold line, as detailed by The Gadgeteer. This development builds upon Samsung’s previous display innovations. Internally, the device is expected to house a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, offer up to 1TB of storage, and feature a slightly larger battery.

      Two Folds, and a Flip that could be the last

      Naming conventions seem confusing. Various reports suggest Samsung will release two book-style foldables this year. The taller, traditional successor may be labeled as the Z Fold 8 Ultra, while the wider model will simply carry the Z Fold 8 name. If true, this marks the first occasion Samsung has produced two Fold models for different consumers simultaneously.

      The Galaxy Z Flip 8 is a quieter update, anticipated to have a 4.1-inch cover screen and a larger battery. Its more significant aspect is its potential finality, as several sources indicate that this could be Samsung’s last clamshell model if the lineup is streamlined.

      Watches, and the potential for AI glasses

      In terms of wearables, the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 takes the lead. Leaks indicate it will feature a brighter display, an increased battery capacity, diving-ready water resistance, and possibly dedicated on-device AI hardware. There is a clear push for wider Galaxy wearable offerings.

      The unexpected element is a pair of AI glasses. Reports suggest that the long-awaited eyewear will run Google’s Android XR with Gemini technology integrated, co-designed with Gentle Monster and Warby Parker, and positioned as a competitor to Meta’s smart glasses. According to Android Central, an unveiling would still come as a genuine surprise.

      The pricing dilemma

      Cost is a significant concern. Leaked prices indicate the standard Fold 8 could range between $1,899 and $1,999, the Fold 8 Ultra near $2,099, and the Flip 8 around $1,099, as reported by Digital Trends, with storage options increasing in price.

      This aligns with a broader trend of rising prices. A shortage of memory chips has driven up component costs across the industry, and Samsung already raised Fold prices in April. While foldable devices are improving, they are not becoming cheaper.

      The significance of the venue

      The choice of location is also noteworthy. This marks Samsung’s first summer Unpacked event in the UK capital, reflecting Europe’s importance as a launch market. This event follows a busy week, occurring just days after Samsung introduced its first US credit card.

      What we anticipate and what Samsung ultimately reveals may still differ. On Tuesday, the leaks will finally be matched with the official specifications.