Samsung reinvents foldables: the Galaxy Z Fold 8 arrives with a “wide” design that marks a before and after
Last 22 July, Samsung held its traditional Galaxy Unpacked in London with a slogan that left no room for doubt: “A new shape unfolds”. And they certainly did. The South Korean company presented the eighth generation of its Galaxy Z family, led by a Galaxy Z Fold 8 that radically changes its format compared to any previous model. We are talking about such a deep redesign that it is even speculated that Apple will replicate it in its long-awaited foldable iPhone next September.
A square format that changes the rules
The great novelty of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is its new “wide” form factor. Until now, the Fold devices were elongated and narrow when closed, with an outer screen like a “remote control” that many users found uncomfortable for typing or consuming content. Samsung has listened to the criticism and has completely redesigned the proportions.
The new Fold 8 measures 161.4 x 123.9 x 4.5 mm unfolded and folds down to a compact 81.9 x 123.9 x 9.7 mm, with a weight of barely 201 grams according to the official specifications. The key is that it now uses two 18:9 panels which, when opened, form an almost square 18:18 screen, offering a much more natural experience both for reading and for watching videos or working with multiple windows.
The 5.5-inch external screen —much more usable than that of previous generations— allows you to carry out most tasks without needing to open the device, while the 7.6-inch internal screen remains the reference for multitasking and content consumption in tablet mode.
Two models for two profiles
For the first time, Samsung has chosen to launch two variants of the Fold: the standard Galaxy Z Fold 8 and the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. Both share the new square design, but the Ultra adds improvements in camera, materials, and performance designed for the most demanding user.
The standard model mounts the new latest-generation Snapdragon processor, has 12 GB of RAM and up to 512 GB of storage. The Ultra, for its part, raises the bar with 16 GB of RAM, storage of up to 1 TB, and a camera system that includes a 200 MP main sensor with improved stabilization, a telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom, and an ultra-wide-angle camera.
Both models incorporate Gorilla Glass Victus Ceramic 3 on the folded front and Victus 2 on the back, with an aerospace-grade aluminum frame that promises much greater durability than previous generations. The hinge, always the weak point of foldables, has been redesigned to withstand more than 400,000 folds according to Samsung’s internal tests.
AI as the axis of the experience
Samsung has integrated Galaxy AI even more deeply into the Fold 8. The device is able to adapt the interface according to how you are using it: in folded mode it prioritizes one-handed applications, while when unfolded it automatically activates multitasking modes with up to three simultaneous applications. The new “Flex Mode” allows you to use the bottom half as a trackpad or keyboard while the top shows the content, ideal for video calls or document editing.
The real-time translation feature, which debuted with the Galaxy S25, now arrives much more polished and works in more than 30 languages, taking advantage of the folded screen so that each interlocutor sees their own side of the conversation.
Prices and availability
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is already available in most markets from the same 22 July. Its starting price is 1,899 euros for the base model, while the Fold 8 Ultra starts at 2,199 euros. These are high figures, but lower than initially expected, which suggests that Samsung wants to accelerate the adoption of foldables before Apple enters the segment.
Alongside the Fold 8, Samsung also presented the Galaxy Z Flip 8 (with a more modest facelift and a new processor) and the Galaxy Watch 9 and Watch Ultra 2, although without doubt the great star of the London night was the new wide foldable that promises to redefine what we understand by smartphone.
Conclusion
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is not a minor update: it is a complete redesign that solves the main limitations of book-style foldables. With a wider and more usable format, two models to cover different profiles, and an AI integration that genuinely adds value, Samsung shows that foldables have ceased to be an experiment to become a mature category. The question now is how Apple will respond with its rumored foldable. The battle of the formats has just begun.
