Foldables & wearables
Pre-orders up 30% as Samsung splits its foldable line three ways
Samsung splits its foldable line into three distinct experiences, and early demand is strong: pre-orders are up more than 30%. The Fold8 Ultra is the company's slimmest Z Fold yet at 4.1 mm, and the new watches push further into health tracking.
Emmanuel Fabrice Omgbwa Yasse AI-assisted
2026-08-12 · 4 min read
Samsung is done pretending one foldable fits everyone. The new Galaxy Z lineup, which starts shipping August 7 in 106 markets, splits into three devices with three jobs: the productivity-first Fold8 Ultra, the discovery-focused Fold8 and the self-expression Flip8. Early demand is on board. Pre-orders for the new generation are up more than 30% versus the previous one, with Graphite the most popular color across the two book-style Folds and Pink leading for the Flip8.
Samsung unveiled the lineup at Galaxy Unpacked on July 22, and the global rollout now runs through carriers, retailers, Samsung.com and Samsung Experience Stores. The phones land alongside two new wearables, the 47 mm Watch Ultra2 and the 40/44 mm Watch9, both running on the Snapdragon Wear Elite platform.
Three devices, three definitions of the fold
The Fold8 Ultra is the workstation. Its 8-inch main display anchors the multitasking story: the 200 MP main camera now shoots HDR at full resolution, a new 50 MP ultra-wide handles wide shots and macro, and a 5,000 mAh battery pairs with 45 W fast charging plus an expanded graphite cooling structure. At 4.1 mm unfolded and 215 g, it is also the slimmest Z Fold Samsung has shipped.
The regular Fold8 takes the opposite job. It is the lightest Z Fold yet at 201 g, built around a wider cover screen for messaging, browsing and short-form video, opening to a 4:3 main display for reading, gaming and longer sessions. Samsung says its new Flex Titanium structure keeps the display slim while limiting crease visibility over time.
The Flip8 is the expression play: a reworked FlexWindow on the cover with Now Brief, a 50 MP camera, the ProVisual Engine and FlexCam angles. Samsung calls it the sleekest Flip it has ever released.
| Model | Signature spec | Weight | Battery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra | 8-inch display, 200 MP HDR camera, 4.1 mm unfolded | 215 g | 5,000 mAh, 45 W charging |
| Galaxy Z Fold8 | 4:3 main display, Flex Titanium frame | 201 g | Not disclosed |
| Galaxy Z Flip8 | FlexWindow cover, 50 MP camera | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
Early color data shows the split: Graphite led for the Fold8 Ultra and Fold8, Pink led for the Flip8. Among Samsung.com buyers aged 15 to 34, the exclusive Green Shadow, Pistachio and Mint finishes took the top spot for the Ultra, Fold8 and Flip8 respectively.
Thinness is the quiet signal
The attention goes to the 200 MP camera, but the engineering numbers matter more for the category. Samsung is answering the two complaints that have trailed folding phones since the beginning, thickness and the fold line, with a 4.1 mm body unfolded, a 201 g book-style phone and a promised reduction in visible crease. The company's hardware chief, Sunghoon Moon, in an interview published after Unpacked, said seven generations of user insight guided the latest designs.
The watches follow the same logic. The Watch Ultra2 puts an 800 mAh battery, up 35% from the previous Watch Ultra, in a 47 mm titanium case with a display rated up to 5,000 nits, IP69K and 10 ATM protection, and EN 13319 dive certification. The Watch9, in 40 mm and 44 mm aluminum, focuses on daily wear with a 3,000-nit display and health tracking that now includes Vitals, a Heart Health Score, Daily Cardio Load, a Fitness Index and Hearing features.
AI is the other hinge
The foldables ship with AI as a core feature, not a trial. The Fold8 brings Gemini Notebook, a single workspace for notes, images, recordings, files and documents. The Ultra adds Now Nudge, which suggests next steps across supported apps and can analyze image content to share photos. The Flip8 puts Now Brief on the FlexWindow and lets users call up Gemini by holding the side key or with a voice request.
The productivity pitch has a counterweight: a majority of workers report AI adds to their workload, per the productivity paradox research.
Samsung is also bundling a six-month Google AI Pro trial with 5 TB of cloud storage, valued at US$119.94 and set at US$19.99 a month once the trial ends. The offer runs until August 1, 2027. Watch buyers get a 60-day Strava trial valued at US$23.98 and a two-month iFIT trial valued at US$19.98.
The iPhone exit lane gets wider
The most telling part of the announcement may be for iOS users. Updated Smart Switch lets them scan a QR code and move data wirelessly without installing an app, covering passwords, passkeys, call history, accessibility settings and eSIM information. Quick Share now works with AirDrop in both directions. Samsung is removing the friction that keeps iPhone owners from trying a foldable at all, even as Google reportedly raises Pixel 11 prices.
Availability opens August 7 in 106 markets. Samsung.com buyers who enroll in a monthly Samsung Care+ plan get the first three months free, and One UI 9 adds a dedicated Warranty and care section in Settings. The 30% pre-order jump is a strong early vote, but the real question comes later: whether three foldables can coexist in one lineup without eating each other's sales. Samsung stopped asking if people want a folding phone. It is betting three answers at once, while OnePlus reportedly prepares its exit from the US and Europe.
- Source : Pre-orders up 30% as Samsung splits its foldable line three ways — 2026-08-06
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