Samsung Unveils Galaxy Z Fold8 and Flip8 Foldable Phones with Enhanced AI Features

Samsung has expanded its foldable smartphone lineup with the introduction of the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, the standard Galaxy Z Fold8, and the Galaxy Z Flip8. These new devices, running Android 17 with Samsung’s One UI 9 software, feature enhanced artificial intelligence tools and are designed to cater to different user needs and preferences.

The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra is positioned for productivity, boasting a large 8-inch main screen that supports dual-app functionality, ideal for multitasking. Its 6.5-inch cover screen functions like a traditional smartphone display. The device measures approximately 0.16 inches thick when open and weighs about 7.6 ounces. It features a 200 MP main camera, a 50 MP ultra-wide camera, and a dedicated telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. Powering the Fold8 Ultra is a 5,000 mAh battery with support for 45-watt wired charging. Pricing for the Fold8 Ultra starts at $2,099.99 for a 256 GB storage model.

The Galaxy Z Fold8 adopts a shorter and wider form factor, featuring a 7.6-inch main display and a 5.5-inch cover screen. Samsung describes this model as its lightest Galaxy Z Fold yet, weighing around 7.1 ounces and measuring 0.18 inches thick when open. This design is intended to enhance readability for articles and e-books, and provide a more immersive experience for games and videos. The Fold8 is equipped with two 50 MP rear cameras, offering detailed photos and 8K video recording but lacking a dedicated telephoto lens. It uses the same Snapdragon processor as the Ultra and has a 4,800 mAh battery, also supporting 45-watt wired charging. This model starts at $1,899.99 with 256 GB of storage.

The Galaxy Z Flip8 offers a more compact design, folding in half to reduce its pocket footprint. When open, it presents a 6.9-inch main screen, and a 4.1-inch FlexWindow on the outside allows users to access apps, check weather updates, or manage notifications without fully opening the device. Weighing about 6.3 ounces and measuring 0.24 inches thick when open, the Flip8 is the lightest of the new foldables. It includes a 50 MP main camera and a 12 MP ultra-wide camera. The folding design enables the phone to stand on its own for hands-free video calls or group photos, with the outer screen acting as a viewfinder for selfies. The Flip8 is powered by a 4,300 mAh battery and supports 25-watt wired charging, reaching up to 55% charge in approximately 30 minutes. It starts at $1,199.99 for the 256 GB version.

All three models incorporate new AI features, including Now Brief, which provides a personalized daily summary of weather and appointments, and Now Nudge, which suggests relevant next steps based on on-screen content. Gemini Intelligence assists with broader requests across supported applications. Samsung has also introduced an AI Assistant Activity dashboard for reviewing completed AI actions and Privacy Alerts to notify users of background permission usage. Durability upgrades include a new Flex Titanium structure beneath the folding displays, designed to reduce crease visibility. The screens can reach up to 3,000 nits of brightness and feature a low-reflection finish. All three phones have an IP48 water resistance rating.

Samsung has also streamlined the transition from iPhones with an updated Smart Switch feature, allowing wireless transfer of data including passwords and call history. Quick Share now supports AirDrop compatibility, enabling file exchange between Galaxy and Apple devices.

Preorders for the Galaxy Z Fold8 lineup are currently open through Samsung, major carriers, and participating retailers, with general availability beginning August 7, 2026. The phones come in various colors, with some options exclusive to online purchases. Samsung is offering trade-in savings of up to $1,200 during the preorder period, alongside potential Samsung credit for eligible add-ons. Each purchase includes a six-month trial of Google AI Pro with 5 TB of cloud storage.