[DigitalToday intern reporter Seungah Yoo (유승아)] Official render images of Samsung Electronics' next foldable phones and smartwatches have leaked.

Engadget reported on July 8 that the designs of the Galaxy Z Flip8, Galaxy Z Fold8, Galaxy Watch9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra2 were revealed via Android Headlines, laying out much of the products' outlines ahead of an Unpacked event due later this month.

The most eye-catching device in the leak is the Galaxy Z Fold8. It has been suggested that the "wider foldable" Samsung Electronics has hinted at during its Unpacked promotion could be this product. In the renders, the device appears shorter and wider than before and is expected to launch in 4 colours. The outer display has been discussed as a 5.5-inch QHD+ panel with a 16:10 aspect ratio, and the inner display as a 7.6-inch panel with a 4:3 aspect ratio. The 16:10 ratio is the same as the screen ratio used in Samsung's tablet lineup.

Weight is also a point to watch. The Galaxy Z Fold8 is reported to be aiming for weight reduction to about 200 grams. The processor is being discussed as possibly the Snapdragon 8 Elite 5th generation. Along with that, Samsung Electronics is also developing a higher-end model called the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, and renders of that product already leaked last week.

The Galaxy Z Flip8 was spotted in 3 colours, including white, grey and pink. Its design appears very similar to the previous model, and the camera and flash layout also seems unchanged. As the outdated camera system was cited as a weakness of the previous Z Flip7, attention has turned to whether internal specifications will improve this time. The market is placing more weight on component upgrades than design changes as the key point.

A split chipset strategy has been suggested. Observers have said the Galaxy Z Flip8 could be divided into an Exynos 2600 model and a Snapdragon 8 Elite 5th generation model. At the same time, there is a view that this generation may fall short of a large-scale hardware overhaul due to the impact of a global RAM shortage. Instead, a redesigned hinge and a lighter chassis could be applied, according to speculation.

The designs of new smartwatches were also confirmed. The Galaxy Watch9 could be released in 3 colours and 2 sizes. Its design is similar enough to the previous Galaxy Watch8 to be suspicious. Specifications are still largely unknown, but rumours say the price could rise by about $30 to $60, or about 45,000 won to 90,000 won.

The Galaxy Watch Ultra2 appears to be prepared in a single 47 mm size and 2 colours. Specific specifications for this product have also not been disclosed, but the possibility of a price increase is being discussed as well. The leak alone cannot determine final specifications for either the foldables or the watches, but it has been assessed that the direction of product strategy has been revealed.

From Samsung Electronics' perspective, this new lineup is being read as a trend that puts more weight on refining the form factor, reducing weight and supplementing internal specifications than on drastic design changes. The Galaxy Z Fold8 may aim to differentiate usability through changes in screen aspect ratio, and the Galaxy Z Flip8 may focus on improving key components while keeping the existing design. For the Watch9 and Watch Ultra2, price adjustments have emerged as a variable without major external changes.

The leaked information is not yet confirmed. Android Headlines is assessed as a reliable leak source, but it also included a caveat that the related information is not confirmed. Samsung Electronics' next Unpacked event is scheduled for July 22, and the actual product specifications, prices and lineup composition are expected to be confirmed in final form in the official announcement on the day of the event.