[DigitalToday Jin-ho Lee] Samsung Electronics unveiled the Galaxy Z Fold8 with a changed screen ratio and the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, the first ultra-premium model in its foldable lineup. It also introduced a smartwatch and smart glasses incorporating AI features, stepping up efforts to expand the Galaxy AI ecosystem.

Samsung Electronics held "Galaxy Unpacked 2026" at Old Billingsgate in London on July 22 (local time) and unveiled three new foldable smartphones: the Galaxy Z Fold8, Fold8 Ultra and Flip8.

At a media briefing, Roh Tae-moon (노태문), president and head of the DX division at Samsung Electronics, said the Galaxy Z series unveiled on the day was "a starting point that resets the standard for foldables". He stressed the company would "lead the global foldable market" by presenting new standards a step ahead.

◆Fold8 changes aspect ratio...first ultra model introduced

The Galaxy Z Fold8 applies a new screen ratio by shortening the vertical length and widening the horizontal length compared with the previous model. When folded, it offers a 10:16 aspect ratio with a 138.4 mm size. When unfolded, it offers a 4:3 aspect ratio with a 193.2 mm size.

The cover screen is designed to offer usability similar to that of a typical smartphone, while the main screen is designed for watching videos and other content such as games and reading. It measures 9.7 mm thick when folded and 4.5 mm when unfolded, and weighs 201 grams, the lightest in the Fold series to date.

It uses Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy Gen 5, the application processor used in the Galaxy S26 series. The rear features a 50-megapixel dual camera.

Samsung Electronics also introduced the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, the first ultra model in its foldable lineup. It keeps the screen ratio of the existing Fold series while strengthening camera and multitasking performance.

The Fold8 Ultra has a 203.1 mm main display and a 164.8 mm cover display. It is 8.9 mm thick when folded and 4.1 mm when unfolded, the thinnest among Fold products to date, and weighs 215 grams.

On the rear, it applies a 200-megapixel main camera, a 10-megapixel telephoto camera and, for the first time in the Fold series, a 50-megapixel ultra-wide camera. It also supports Nightography night shooting and 8K video recording.

The battery capacity is 5,000 mAh. It supports 45-watt fast charging and dual pass charging. The Fold8 and Fold8 Ultra apply "Flex Titanium" technology for the first time to improve durability and reduce screen creases.

The Galaxy Z Flip8 is designed to be the thinnest and lightest in the Flip series to date, at 6.1 mm thick when unfolded and weighing 180 grams. Its cover display, "FlexWindow", applies an AI-centered interface, allowing users to check key information or use various apps without unfolding the device.

The Galaxy Z8 series will be rolled out sequentially from Aug. 7 in markets worldwide, including South Korea. Preorders in South Korea will run from July 28 to Aug. 3.

◆Agentic AI expansion...Watch9 and Intelligent Eyewear unveiled

Samsung Electronics expanded agentic AI features, first introduced in the Galaxy S26 series in March, across its full foldable lineup. "Gemini Intelligence", developed in collaboration with Google, understands the user's screen and usage context and automatically runs more than 40 apps for delivery, reservations and shopping.

AI also handles multi-step tasks such as searching for nearby restaurants and making reservations, and managing schedules. It also provides personalised AI features such as "Now Nudge" and "Now Brief".

Roh said AI must be easy and trustworthy to be used naturally in daily life. He said the company would provide a differentiated AI experience on a foundation that can understand people most deeply.

Samsung Electronics also unveiled new smartwatches, the Galaxy Watch9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra2. They strengthen features related to sleep, activity and cardiovascular health, providing customised health information such as a heart health score, daily aerobic load and a body fitness index.

They use a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor to improve performance. Battery life is longer than the previous model by 20 percent for the Watch9 and 35 percent for the Watch Ultra2.

Samsung Electronics also unveiled two new designs of its "Intelligent Eyewear" smart glasses. They were co-developed with Gentle Monster and Warby Parker. Based on the Android XR platform, users can use AI functions while wearing the glasses by using voice, gestures and visual information. Intelligent Eyewear is scheduled to be released within the year.