During Samsung's summer Galaxy Unpacked keynote, the company revealed the new series of foldables:
- Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra
- Galaxy Z Fold8
- Galaxy Z Flip8
One of the more exciting devices is the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, the successor to last year's Galaxy Z Fold7, thanks to an improved camera array, a longer-lasting battery, and new features.
Entering the fray this year is the remodeled Galaxy Z Fold8, a passport-sized new foldable. Samsung has positioned the Galaxy Z Fold8 as a content consumption machine, designed for one-handed use while watching Netflix, YouTube, and TikTok. Meanwhile, the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra retains the traditional Fold's design and incorporates hardware upgrades and refinements taken directly from this year's Galaxy S26 Ultra. The Galaxy Z Flip8, on the other hand, underwhelms in terms of integral upgrades.
All three devices are launching in the US, with pre-orders now available. With some hands-on time with each device, let's take a look at the standout features and pricing for each.
Galaxy Z Fold8 and Z Flip8 release dates
The Galaxy Z Fold8 series and Galaxy Z Flip8 are available for pre-order, starting today. All three phones begin shipping in the US on August 7th.
Galaxy Z Fold8 and Galaxy Z Flip8 pricing
Samsung's pricing across the Galaxy Z Fold8 and Galaxy Z Flip8 series has seen a bit of a bump since last year. The price of the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra has increased by around $100 when compared to its predecessor, starting at $2,099. The Galaxy Z Flip8 also has a $100 price increase in the US, starting at $1,199.
Here are the starting prices of the Galaxy Z Fold8 and Galaxy Z Flip8 series:
- Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra: From $2,099
- Galaxy Z Fold8: From $1,899
- Galaxy Z Flip8: From $1,199
The above breakdown covers the starting prices per model with the lowest storage option. This year, Samsung is once again offering multiple SKUs with increases in storage capacity. As expected, pricing is then adjusted based on higher storage. Here's a thorough breakdown of each model.
Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold8, and Galaxy Z Flip8 pricing
| Storage | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra | 256GB 512GB 1TB |
$2,099 $2,299 $2,699 |
| Galaxy Z Fold8 | 256GB 512GB 1TB |
$1,899 $2,099 $2,499 |
| Galaxy Z Flip8 | 256GB 512GB |
$1,199 $1,399 |
Galaxy Z Fold8 and Galaxy Z Flip8 features
Samsung's latest foldable lineup isn't reinventing the category; it looks to be refining it. The new Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold8, and Galaxy Z Flip8 all arrive with:
- Slimmer, lighter designs built on Samsung's new Flex Titanium construction
- Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy processors
- Android 17 and One UI 9, backed by seven years of updates
- Deeper integration of Galaxy AI
Across the lineup, Samsung is doubling down on multitasking, content creation, and AI-powered productivity. While each device targets a different audience, they share several upgrades, including brighter displays, improved camera software, longer battery life, and new Galaxy AI features designed to streamline everyday tasks.
The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, for instance, is designed for high-end multitasking, photography, and content creation. The base Galaxy Z Fold8 is introduced as a pocket-sized content machine, designed for on-the-go viewing of TikToks or reading ebooks. Finally, the Galaxy Z Flip8 is an entry-level, compact content-creation device.
Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra is Samsung's thinnest foldable
The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra is Samsung's flagship foldable, combining a slimmer design with the company's most advanced camera system. The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra features an 8-inch QXGA+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X inner display with an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate that reaches 3,000-nit peak brightness, paired with a 6.5-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X cover display that also runs at 120Hz.
Image: Steve Vegvari | WhistleOut
At just 4.1mm unfolded, the Fold8 Ultra is 27% thinner than the Fold6 while weighing 215g, making it 11% lighter. That slimness is possible thanks to Samsung's new Flex Titanium build, which adds a titanium alloy layer beneath the flexible OLED to strengthen the panel, absorb pressure and impact, and reduce the visibility of the crease. Samsung also redesigned the hinge with an easier-to-open edge, making one-handed unfolding feel more natural. Samsung continues to position the Fold as a productivity powerhouse. Users can run up to three apps simultaneously, drag and drop content between windows, and quickly share information across apps.
The Fold8 Ultra adopts the same camera found on this year's Galaxy S26 Ultra, offering:
- 200MP wide (f/1.7)
- 50MP ultra-wide (f/2.2)
- 10MP telephoto (f/2.4)
- 10MP front cameras
The telephoto lens supports 3x optical zoom and up to 30x Space Zoom, and the array can capture 8K video at 30fps. Samsung is pairing its camera array with ProVisual Engine and Nightography video options. Making the leap from the Galaxy S26 Ultra is Samsung's Super Steady with Horizontal Lock features. This way, content creators can maintain a level video during handheld recording, even if the device is moved along the horizontal axis.
The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra comes in four colors:
- Graphite
- Cream
- Violet Shadow
- Green Shadow (Samsung.com exclusive)
Galaxy Z Fold8 focuses on portability
Rather than chasing premium camera hardware, the Galaxy Z Fold8 emphasizes portability. Samsung says it's the world's lightest foldable at 201g, featuring a pocket-friendly design built around media consumption, browsing, and reading. It measures just 4.5mm unfolded and 9.7mm when closed, and like the Ultra it uses the new Flex Titanium construction under the display.
Image: Steve Vegvari | WhistleOut
While holding it in my hands, the Galaxy Z Fold8 feels comfortable in my hand. The Galaxy Z Fold8 sports a 7.6-inch QXGA+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X unfolded display with a 4:3 aspect ratio and a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, alongside a 5.5-inch FHD+ cover display in a tall 10:16 shape. Like the Ultra, the device offers 3,000 nits of brightness, making it easier to view outdoors.
Samsung specifically highlights apps and videos like YouTube Shorts, TikTok, and Instagram Reels, with the larger unfolded display providing more room for scrolling and editing content. I can already see myself using the device to watch content on my next flight, propping it up on my tray table, while sipping on a Diet Coke.
Although the Galaxy Z Fold8 doesn't offer a robust camera array, it does include:
- 50MP wide camera
- 50MP ultra-wide camera
- 10MP front cameras
The dual-camera system supports up to 10x digital zoom and 8K video at 30fps, though it drops the Ultra's dedicated telephoto lens and its optical reach. Samsung is throwing in a few creator tools like Dual Recording. With this, the Galaxy Z Fold8 allows users to film themselves and their subject simultaneously for vlogs. It seems like an expansive version of Apple's Dual Capture feature on iPhone 17. The device also features Horizontal Lock for smoother handheld video. One of the most novel new features is a video auto-framing tool called My FanCam. Using this, you can take or record any video with the device and edit it to automatically focus on a particular subject.
The Galaxy Z Fold8 comes in four colors:
- Lavender
- Graphite
- Cream
- Pistachio (Samsung.com exclusive)
Galaxy Z Flip8 gets a larger FlexWindow
Samsung's clamshell Galaxy Z Flip8 is the least exciting device out of this year's series of foldables. The biggest visual change comes from the expanded 4.1-inch FlexWindow, giving users more room to interact with widgets, notifications, and Galaxy AI without opening the phone.
Image: Steve Vegvari | WhistleOut
The Galaxy Z Flip8 is now 6.1mm thick, 12% thinner than the previous generation, while weighing 180g. Samsung also redesigned the hinge to make opening the phone easier. Inside sits a 6.9-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X main display with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, while the 4.1-inch FlexWindow is a Super AMOLED panel that ramps between 60Hz and 120Hz.
The Flip8 retains its creator-first approach with:
- 50MP wide camera
- 12MP ultra-wide camera
- 10MP front cameras
The cameras support up to 10x digital zoom and 4K video at 60fps. On the software side, Galaxy Z Flip8 boasts its Camcorder Grip mode. As the name suggests, you can hold the device like a camcorder, with its display propped out to capture a moment. With the Super Steady feature, Galaxy Z Flip8 smooths out the video following its recording. These features make the Flip particularly appealing for handheld video, selfies, and tripod-free content creation.
The Galaxy Z Flip8 comes in four colors:
- Graphite
- Cream
- Pink
- Mint (Samsung.com exclusive)
Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 powers the entire lineup
All three foldables are powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, paired with 12GB of RAM on standard storage models and 16GB on 1TB configurations. Samsung offers storage options including 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB (the Galaxy Z Flip8 tops out at 512GB). None of the phones support microSD expansion, so it's worth choosing your storage tier carefully up front.
Battery capacities vary by device. The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra supports a welcome upgrade to a 5,000mAh cell, with up to 27 hours of video playback. This is up from the Galaxy Z Fold7's 4,200mAh battery. The company claims the device can reach a 65% charge in 30 minutes.
Galaxy Z Fold8 offers a 4,800mAh battery with up to 26 hours of video playback. As a video-first device, I'm happy with the battery capacity on paper. I'd like to see how well it performs under practical use cases, however. Galaxy Z Flip8 includes a 4,300mAh battery, unchanged from last year.
On the charging front, the Fold8 Ultra tops out at 45W wired charging, while the Fold8 and Flip8 use 25W wired charging; all three also support fast wireless charging. One caveat worth noting: none of the phones natively support the Qi2 magnetic charging standard, so you'll need a compatible magnetic case to snap onto a Qi2 charger or MagSafe-style accessory.
Android 17, One UI 9, and seven years of updates
All three foldables ship with Android 17 and Samsung's One UI 9 out of the box. As with its recent flagships, Samsung is committing to seven years of OS and security updates across the lineup, which means even the entry-level Galaxy Z Flip8 should keep receiving major Android versions well into the next decade. That long support window is a meaningful part of the value story, especially given the higher price tags this year.
Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Fold8, and Flip8 full specs
Here's how the three foldables stack up side by side.
Galaxy Z Fold8 series and Z Flip8 specs
| Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra | Galaxy Z Fold8 | Galaxy Z Flip8 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main display | 8" QXGA+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz | 7.6" QXGA+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X (4:3), 120Hz | 6.9" FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz |
| Cover display | 6.5" FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz | 5.5" FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X (10:16), 120Hz | 4.1" Super AMOLED, 60/120Hz |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy |
| RAM | 12GB (16GB on 1TB) | 12GB (16GB on 1TB) | 12GB |
| Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | 256GB / 512GB |
| Rear cameras | 200MP wide, 50MP ultra-wide, 10MP telephoto | 50MP wide, 50MP ultra-wide | 50MP wide, 12MP ultra-wide |
| Zoom | 3x optical, 30x Space Zoom | 10x digital | 10x digital |
| Front camera | 10MP (inner + cover) | 10MP (inner + cover) | 10MP |
| Max video | 8K at 30fps | 8K at 30fps | 4K at 60fps |
| Battery | 5,000mAh | 4,800mAh | 4,300mAh |
| Wired charging | 45W | 25W | 25W |
| Weight | 215g | 201g | 180g |
| Thickness (unfolded) | 4.1mm | 4.5mm | 6.1mm |
| Build | Flex Titanium | Flex Titanium | Flex Titanium |
| Software | Android 17, One UI 9 | Android 17, One UI 9 | Android 17, One UI 9 |
| Colors | Graphite, Cream, Violet Shadow, Green Shadow* | Lavender, Graphite, Cream, Pistachio* | Graphite, Cream, Pink, Mint* |
| Starting price | $2,099 | $1,899 | $1,199 |
*Samsung.com-exclusive color
Galaxy AI becomes smarter across foldables
Samsung continues to expand Galaxy AI beyond simple text generation, introducing more experiences designed for multitasking.
Now Nudge understands what's happening across multiple apps
One of the standout additions is an upgraded Now Nudge that works across multiple windows on the Fold series. For example, if friends are discussing dinner plans in one messaging app, Now Nudge can automatically recommend nearby restaurants in another window, pulling information from Google Search, Maps, Calendar, and Samsung apps without requiring users to manually search. This contextual awareness helps tie together conversations, appointments, and navigation into a single workflow.
Photo Assist and Video Auto Reframing
Samsung is also expanding creator-focused AI tools. Photo Assist now accepts text or voice prompts for Generative Edit, making it easier to remove distractions or alter images with natural language. Meanwhile, Video Auto Reframing can intelligently crop footage to keep subjects centered during playback.
Image: Steve Vegvari | WhistleOut
On the Fold8, Samsung also introduces My FanCam, an AI editing tool that automatically tracks and reframes subjects after recording. Using Galaxy AI, you can determine the main subject in a video. My FanCam then crops and scales the video to focus entirely on that subject, saving you time and effort during editing. This is particularly useful for sports, concerts, or creators filming moving subjects.
FlexWindow becomes more useful on Flip8
The Flip8 gains Now Brief Home directly on the FlexWindow, surfacing personalized updates such as calendar events, reminders, weather, and suggested routes without opening the phone.
Samsung also introduces Semantic Search, allowing users to search across apps using natural language to recall saved information, messages, notes, or other content stored on the device.
Easier switching from iPhone
Samsung is also lowering the barrier for iPhone users moving to Galaxy. The updated Smart Switch process lets users scan a QR code displayed on their iPhone to wirelessly transfer content, including messages, notes, voice recordings, Wi-Fi credentials, passwords, passkeys, eSIM information, and even home screen layouts.
Previously, users could only seamlessly transfer contacts, photos, music, videos, and calendar items. The expanded migration process aims to make switching from an iPhone to a Galaxy device significantly easier without losing important data in the process.
A year of refinement for Samsung foldables
Rather than chasing dramatic hardware changes, Samsung's 2026 foldable lineup focuses on meaningful refinement. This design results in some genuine excitement across the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra and the new Galaxy Z Fold8.
The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra pushes productivity and premium photography further. The Fold8 becomes lighter and easier to carry. Combined with Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, brighter displays, improved creator tools, and deeper Galaxy AI integration, Samsung's latest foldables continue to blur the line between smartphones, tablets, and AI-powered personal assistants. While the Flip8 improves on one of the category's best compact designs with a larger FlexWindow and smarter AI features, it ultimately doesn't warrant an immediate upgrade.
Galaxy Z Fold8 and Z Flip8 plans and providers
Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile are all offering pre-order deals for the Galaxy Z Fold8, Z Fold8 Ultra, and Z Flip8. Here's a breakdown of the major benefits you can expect each provider to offer.
Major carriers
Verizon Galaxy Z Fold8 and Z Flip8 plans
Verizon has long been the king of coverage in the U.S., offering the most reliable 4G LTE network in the country. Verizon's plans are some of the priciest on the market, but they do offer access to a host of perks, including unlimited premium data and discounted perks like Disney+.
Verizon also features buy one, get one (BOGO) deals more frequently than other carriers, making them a good choice if you're thinking of getting a new Galaxy foldable for the whole family.
AT&T Galaxy Z Fold8 and Z Flip8 plans
AT&T provides robust 4G and 5G coverage across the country to support your new Galaxy Z Fold8 or Z Flip8, along with excellent internet plans for those interested in bundling phone and internet service. The downside: AT&T doesn't offer perks with its plans, making them fairly expensive without much additional benefit to justify the cost. That said, many of AT&T's plans are still cheaper than options from Verizon and T-Mobile, especially with a family plan.
AT&T also has some of the best trade-in deals on the market, making it the best option if you need to swap your old phone for a new Galaxy foldable. AT&T's trade-in deals are so generous you can sometimes get the newest device for a steep discount even if you're trading in a phone that's several years old.
T-Mobile Galaxy Z Fold8 and Z Flip8 plans
T-Mobile has built the country's broadest and fastest 5G network, putting them miles ahead of both AT&T's and Verizon's 5G coverage footprints. And where Verizon offers perks at a discounted price, T-Mobile is the only carrier that includes them outright in some of their plans. You can get free Apple TV+ and Netflix with T-Mobile's Experience More and Experience Beyond plans, plus T-Satellite coverage for free with the latter.
Like Verizon, T-Mobile also often offers BOGO deals in addition to trade-in discounts when you're ready to upgrade to a new Galaxy foldable. That said, T-Mobile's best deals are often tied to its most expensive plans, making this carrier one of the most expensive options for customers.
MVNO carriers
Typically, when brand-new foldables come out, MVNO carriers don't offer the steep discounts or pre-order deals that the major carriers do. In fact, you may have to wait a few weeks for the Galaxy Z Fold8 or Z Flip8 to become available from smaller carriers. But switching to an MVNO will still help you save massively on the long-term cost of your phone plan.
For example, where an AT&T unlimited plan starts at $65.99/month, an unlimited plan from Mint Mobile starts at just $30/month, and one from Visible starts at just $25/month. This is without sacrificing network quality or reliability—Mint operates on T-Mobile's network, and Visible operates on Verizon's, both using the exact same towers to bring the exact same coverage.
You're wasting money by not switching carriers
A quick bit of trivia for you: The average American overpays for their cell phone bill by $1,500 per year. That's a lot of cash that could go toward your grocery bill, your kids' sports and activities, or even your next vacation.
We're big fans of MVNO carriers here at WhistleOut—they offer the exact same coverage as the major carriers but at half the price (or less!). Unlimited plans start around $25–$30 per month, instead of the $65–$80 that you'll pay with one of the Big Three.
We've got more on how to switch to an MVNO (and why you absolutely should).
As we'll explain more below, we actually think the Galaxy Z Fold8 launch is the perfect time to upgrade—not to the latest foldable, but to one just a year or two older, such as the Galaxy Z Fold7 or Z Flip7. They're still excellent devices and share many of the same features as the newest phones. Carriers like Mint, Visible, and U.S. Mobile will offer them for much cheaper, plus you get the added benefit of not overpaying on your cell phone plan.
Some of the most popular MVNO plans are listed below; if you want a little help, jump over to our guide to the best cheap phone plans to see our reviewed picks.
|
#1
|
Mint Mobile
Unlimited Data Plan
$15.00/mo
$45 for 3 months of service
|
|
#2
|
Visible
$25 Visible Plan
$25.00/mo
Taxes & Fees included
|
|
#3
|
XFINITY Mobile
Mobile Select Plan
$0.00/mo
(for the first year of service) <br>Regular rate of $30/mo. thereafter
|
|
#4
|
GoTalk Wireless
SafeSim Max Consumer Plan
$25.00/mo
$75.00 advance payment for 3 months (equals to $25.00/month)
|
|
#5
|
US Mobile
2GB By the Gig Plan
$10.00/mo
Taxes and fees included
|
Galaxy Z Fold discounts
We've been covering the wireless industry since 2018, and we've seen the same pattern every year: as soon as a new foldable drops, previous Galaxy Z Fold models go on major sale. That means older Folds like the Galaxy Z Fold7 and Z Fold6 are about to get major price drops.
We actually don't recommend upgrading every single year to the latest phone models. There are rarely such drastic improvements between yearly launches that are worth dropping $1,200 to $2,700 outright for. Plus, there are often way more features on your current phone that you don't even realize you aren't using to their full potential. The only exception this year is the wide Galaxy Z Fold8, which is a brand-new model with no previous generation to discount.
What we do recommend is upgrading to a newer-to-you device. In this case, the Galaxy Z Fold8 launch is an excellent time to grab a previous-generation Galaxy Z Fold instead. Older Folds already have nearly all of the features you'll find on the newest devices, especially if you're comparing them to the standard Galaxy Z Fold8. And if you're still deciding whether a folding phone is right for you in the first place, check out our guide on whether you should buy a foldable phone.
Here are the latest deals across the Galaxy Z Fold lineup by model and storage capacity.
iPhone 16 128GB
- 6.1 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 48MP, 12MP
- Front Camera: 12MP
iPhone 16 256GB
- 6.1 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 48MP, 12MP
- Front Camera: 12MP
iPhone 16 Plus 128GB
- 6.7 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 48MP, 12MP
- Front Camera: 12MP
iPhone 16 Plus 256GB
- 6.7 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 48MP, 12MP
- Front Camera: 12MP
iPhone 16 Pro 128GB
- 6.3 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 48MP, 48MP, 12MP
- Front Camera: 12MP
Galaxy Z Fold8: FAQ
What is the difference between the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra and Galaxy Z Fold8?
The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra is Samsung's premium foldable, featuring a 200MP camera system borrowed from the Galaxy S26 Ultra, a larger 5,000mAh battery, and enhanced multitasking features. The Galaxy Z Fold8 is smaller, lighter, and designed for portability, making it a better choice for reading, streaming, and everyday one-handed use.
Is the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra worth upgrading to?
Ultimately, it depends on your needs. If you're using a Galaxy Z Fold6 or older device, the Fold8 Ultra offers meaningful improvements, including a thinner design, brighter display, larger battery, upgraded cameras, and expanded Galaxy AI features. Galaxy Z Fold7 owners may find the changes more iterative unless the improved camera system and battery life are priorities.
Which Galaxy Z Fold8 model has the best camera?
The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra has the strongest camera system in Samsung's foldable lineup, with a 200MP wide sensor, a 50MP ultra-wide, and a 10MP telephoto with 3x optical and up to 30x Space Zoom.
Do the Galaxy Z Fold8 and Z Flip8 support Qi2 wireless charging?
Not natively. All three phones support fast wireless charging, but to use a Qi2 or MagSafe-style magnetic charger you'll need to put the device in a compatible magnetic case.
How long will the Galaxy Z Fold8 and Z Flip8 get software updates?
Samsung is providing seven years of OS and security updates across the lineup. All three phones ship with Android 17 and One UI 9 out of the box.
When does the Galaxy Z Fold8 release in the US?
Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold8 lineup and Galaxy Z Flip8 are available for pre-order now in the US. General availability begins on August 7, with devices shipping through Samsung and participating wireless carriers.
Steve Vegvari
Staff Writer
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