Samsung has officially launched its newest foldable phones and smartwatches, with the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold8, Galaxy Z Flip8, Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and Galaxy Watch9 now rolling out in select markets.
The devices went on sale starting August 7, 2026, through Samsung.com, carriers, retailers and Samsung Experience Stores.
The launch marks one of Samsung’s biggest foldable updates yet. Instead of offering only one book-style Fold and one Flip, Samsung is now splitting the Galaxy Z lineup into three experiences: an Ultra foldable for productivity, a standard Fold for immersive use and a Flip for compact style.
According to Samsung, early demand for the new Galaxy Z series has been strong, with pre-orders rising by more than 30 percent compared with the previous generation.
Samsung said Graphite was the most popular colour for the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra and Galaxy Z Fold8, while Pink led pre-orders for the Galaxy Z Flip8. Among Samsung.com pre-order customers aged 15 to 34, Green Shadow, Pistachio and Mint were the top exclusive colour choices.
Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra Brings Ultra Branding to Foldables
The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra is Samsung’s new top-end foldable and the first Galaxy Z model to carry the company’s Ultra branding.
It comes with an 8-inch main display designed for multitasking, creative work and productivity. Samsung also added a 200 MP main camera with HDR support in 200 MP mode, along with a new 50 MP ultra-wide camera for wider scenes and macro photography.
The Fold8 Ultra also features a 5,000 mAh battery, 45W Super Fast Charging 2.0 and an expanded graphite cooling structure. Samsung says it is the company’s slimmest Z Fold design yet, measuring 4.1 mm when unfolded and weighing 215 g.
Samsung is also introducing Now Nudge on the Fold8 Ultra. The feature is designed to suggest relevant next steps across supported apps, helping users move from a conversation or task into an action more quickly.
Galaxy Z Fold8 Focuses on Everyday Multitasking
The Galaxy Z Fold8 sits below the Ultra model as the lighter and more flexible book-style foldable in the lineup.
It weighs 201 g, making it Samsung’s lightest Galaxy Z Fold model so far. The phone has a wider cover screen for quick tasks such as messaging, browsing and short-form video, while the 4:3 main display is designed for reading, gaming and watching content.
Samsung said the Z Fold8 uses its new Flex Titanium technology, which helps support a slimmer display structure and reduce crease visibility over time.
The phone also includes Gemini Notebook, which lets users bring notes, images, recordings, files and documents into one workspace.
For many buyers, this could be the more balanced option. It does not carry the Ultra name, but it still keeps the larger foldable format while cutting weight and focusing on daily use.
Galaxy Z Flip8 Gets a More Useful Cover Screen
The Galaxy Z Flip8 is Samsung’s sleekest Flip model so far, according to the company.
Its redesigned FlexWindow is meant to make the cover screen more useful without opening the phone. Users can access apps, actions, insights and assistance from the outside display.
Samsung also said users can activate Gemini from the FlexWindow using the side key or voice requests.
For cameras, the Galaxy Z Flip8 includes a 50 MP camera, ProVisual Engine and FlexCam tools for hands-free shooting and flexible-angle photos and videos.
The Flip line continues to lean heavily into style and personal expression. Samsung said Pink led pre-orders for the model, while Mint was the top exclusive colour choice among younger Samsung.com pre-order customers.
Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and Watch9 Join the Launch
Samsung also launched the Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and Galaxy Watch9 alongside the new foldables.
The Galaxy Watch Ultra2 is aimed at outdoor and high-performance users. It comes in a 47 mm size, has an 800 mAh battery, a display with up to 5,000 nits of brightness, shock-resistant titanium casing and outdoor tracking modes such as Trail Run.
The watch is also rated IP69K and 10 ATM, with EN 13319 certification.
The Galaxy Watch9 is positioned as Samsung’s everyday health and wellness smartwatch. It comes in 40 mm and 44 mm sizes, with a lightweight aluminum casing, up to 3,000 nits of display brightness and health features such as Vitals, Heart Health Score, Daily Cardio Load, Fitness Index and Hearing.
Both watches are powered by the Snapdragon Wear Elite platform.
Samsung Makes Switching From iPhone Easier
Samsung is also updating Smart Switch to make moving to Galaxy easier for iPhone users.
With the updated Smart Switch experience, iOS users can scan a QR code on their current device and wirelessly transfer data without downloading another app.
The tool can also transfer more types of data, including passwords, passkeys, call history, accessibility settings and eSIM information.
Samsung also said Quick Share now works with AirDrop, allowing file sharing between iOS and Galaxy devices in both directions.
That could matter for buyers who are interested in foldables but have stayed with iPhone because of migration friction.
UK Pricing
In the UK, the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra starts at £1,899 for the 256 GB model, £2,069 for 512 GB and £2,409 for 1 TB.
The Galaxy Z Fold8 starts at £1,699 for 256 GB, £1,869 for 512 GB and £2,209 for 1 TB.
The Galaxy Z Flip8 starts at £1,149 for 256 GB and £1,319 for 512 GB.
For the watches, the Galaxy Watch9 starts at £349 for the 40 mm Bluetooth model and goes up to £429 for the 44 mm LTE model. The Galaxy Watch Ultra2 is priced at £649 for the 47 mm LTE version.
Samsung is also offering a six-month Google AI Pro trial with new Galaxy Z series purchases, including 5 TB of cloud storage. Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and Watch9 buyers can also access a two-month iFIT subscription trial.
Which New Samsung Device Makes the Most Sense?
The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra is the model for users who want the biggest screen, strongest camera setup and most productivity-focused foldable Samsung now offers.
The Galaxy Z Fold8 looks like the more balanced choice for people who want a lighter book-style foldable for entertainment, browsing and daily multitasking.
The Galaxy Z Flip8 remains the compact option, but the upgraded FlexWindow gives it a bigger role without opening the phone.
The Galaxy Watch Ultra2 is built for users who need outdoor durability and longer endurance, while the Galaxy Watch9 is the simpler choice for everyday health tracking.
As of this writing, Samsung’s new Galaxy Z series and Galaxy Watch lineup are available in select markets, with wider global availability continuing after the August 7 launch.
via: Samsung Global Newsroom | Samsung Newsroom U.K. | Samsung Mobile Press
