Samsung Galaxy Unpacked July 2026: the Fold line splits in two, the first foldable Ultra, and glasses with Gemini

Samsung chose London for its July 22 Galaxy Unpacked and introduced five devices at once: Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold 8, Galaxy Z Flip 8, Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, and Galaxy Watch 9, plus a preview of its first smart glasses with Gemini. The biggest news is not a single product, but a lineup decision: for the first time, the Fold splits into two formats, with an Ultra that inherits the classic design and a Fold 8 that debuts passport-style proportions.

The other across-the-board detail is pricing: the entire family is more expensive than the previous generation. Preorders opened the same day as the event, and general availability begins August 7 in the first markets.

Galaxy Z Fold 8: the passport-style format

The Fold 8 is the event’s structural bet. When closed, it is wider and shorter than any previous Fold, with a 5.5-inch outer display in a 10:16 aspect ratio that feels like a conventional phone. Unfolded, the 7.6-inch inner panel sits at 4:3, ideal for video and games; rotated, the 3:4 layout better accommodates reading and browsing.

At 201 grams, it is the lightest Fold so far, and the official spec sheet promises more than 26 hours of video playback with its 4,800 mAh battery. It shares the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy with the Ultra, but gives up the telephoto lens: its rear module uses a dual-camera setup. It costs $1,899 and is positioned to be the high-volume foldable in the lineup.

Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra: the first foldable Ultra

The Fold 8 Ultra is the direct successor to the Fold 7, now carrying the surname Samsung reserves for its top-of-the-line devices. It measures 4.1 millimeters when unfolded and weighs 215 grams — the thinnest Fold in the lineup’s history — with an 8-inch inner display, a 6.5-inch outer display, and a triple camera system that remains its exclusive differentiator: a 200 MP main sensor, a 50 MP ultra-wide, and a 10 MP telephoto.

The panel uses Flex Titanium, Samsung’s in-house technology that tensions the display so it sits flat and the crease nearly disappears, also present on the Fold 8 and Flip 8. The silicon-carbon battery reaches 5,000 mAh, and the price is $2,099. On the software side, the agentic layer makes the difference: Now Nudge anticipates multitasking and opens apps in Multi Window based on context, while Gemini Notebook turns documents and recordings into summaries, presentations, or podcasts.

The immediate question is which of the two Fold models makes more sense: the Ultra is the refined continuation; the 8 is the bet on a new format at a lower price.

Galaxy Z Flip 8: thinner and with a more capable FlexWindow

The Flip 8 evolves without changing the formula. It drops to 6.1 millimeters thick when unfolded and 180 grams, with a reinforced frame and a hinge made from a new high-strength material, Samsung’s answer to the clamshell’s long-standing durability criticism.

The functional upgrade comes through the 4.1-inch FlexWindow: it now runs full apps without opening the device and adds Now Brief, with weather, calendar, and notifications in personalized cards. The camera gains Dual Recording, which records the creator and the scene simultaneously, aimed at vlogs. The inner panel is 6.9 inches, and the price lands at $1,199.

Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 and Watch 9: the same chip for both

The surprise with the watches was not the design, but the silicon: contrary to what leaks had suggested, both use the same 3-nanometer Snapdragon Wear Elite. The standard model does not inherit lower-tier silicon in this generation.

The Watch Ultra 2 delivers the major leaps: a 5,000-nit display, the brightest ever seen on a smartwatch, an 800 mAh battery (35% larger), a titanium case that is 12% thinner, and IP69K resistance, for $699.99. The Watch 9 keeps the cushion-shaped silhouette in 40 and 44 millimeters, rises to 3,000 nits, and starts at $379.99: the same brain as the Ultra for a little more than half the price.

Samsung’s smart glasses: the unnamed preview

The event’s closing segment was the most anticipated preview: Samsung’s smart glasses, developed with Google and featuring two designs by Warby Parker and Gentle Monster. The company presents them as "intelligent eyewear" and has not yet confirmed the commercial name; leaks point to Galaxy Glasses.

They run Android XR with Gemini on a Snapdragon AR1 Gen 1, with a camera that gives the assistant visual context, live translation, message summaries, and navigation. The key point is what they do not have: they do not project anything onto the lens. The experience is based on audio and camera, in the vein of Ray-Ban Meta, not display-equipped headsets — and they should not be confused with the Galaxy XR headset from 2025, which is a different category. Control combines voice, touch gestures on the temple, and wrist gestures through a connected Galaxy Watch 9. Samsung promises around 9 hours of battery life, plus seven full charges from the case, with arrival toward the end of the year in select markets and pricing still unannounced.

Pricing and availability

All devices have been available for preorder since July 22, with general sales starting August 7. The event table is as follows:

What did not appear also says something: no new Galaxy Buds and no TriFold news. The earbuds were refreshed at the February Unpacked alongside the S26 series, and Samsung left this event entirely for foldables, watches, and glasses.

Conclusion

The July Unpacked confirms that the foldable has stopped being a single product and become a family: two Fold models for different audiences, a more mature Flip, two aligned watches, and glasses on the way. Splitting the Fold line is Samsung’s riskiest decision in the category since 2019, and only sales will show whether the passport-style format is the mainstream foldable or a one-cycle experiment.

For those seeking the most advanced device, the Ultra is the obvious buy. For anyone entering the foldable world, the Fold 8 redefines the entry point with a format that feels more natural in the hand. And for anyone who already has a Fold 7, there are few reasons to upgrade: their device is, in essence, the foundation of the new Ultra. The highest entry cost in the lineup’s history is the price of that ambition, and the variable that could hold it back.

Frequently asked questions

When do the new Galaxy devices go on sale?

Preorders opened on July 22, the same day as the event, and general availability begins on August 7, 2026, in the first markets. The smart glasses are the exception: they arrive toward the end of the year in select markets, with no exact date confirmed.

How much do the Fold 8, Fold 8 Ultra, and Flip 8 cost?

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 costs $1,899, the Fold 8 Ultra costs $2,099, and the Flip 8 costs $1,199 at their official launch prices. All three are more expensive than the previous generation, making this Samsung’s most expensive foldable lineup to date.

What is the difference between the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and the Fold 8 Ultra?

The Fold 8 Ultra is the direct successor to the Fold 7: an elongated format, a triple camera with a 200 MP main sensor, and an 8-inch display. The Fold 8 debuts a wider and shorter passport-style format, with a dual camera, a 7.6-inch panel, and a price $200 lower. The name is confusing: the Ultra is the continuation; the 8 is what is new.

When are Samsung’s glasses coming?

Samsung previewed them for late 2026 in select markets, with no confirmed price or commercial name. They run Android XR and Gemini, have a camera and audio but no display in the lens, and are controlled by voice, touch on the temple, or gestures with a connected Galaxy Watch 9.