Samsung Unveils Trio of Foldable Devices at Unpacked Event

At Samsung’s recent Unpacked event, the spotlight was on three foldable devices, marking a rare expansion in the company’s usual lineup. The expected unveilings of the Galaxy Z Flip 8 and the newly renamed Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra were accompanied by the surprising introduction of the Galaxy Z Fold 8. With its compact, broad form reminiscent of a passport, the Fold 8 has sparked significant discussion.

Before the official announcement, tech influencer MKBHD previewed all three devices. He expressed unexpected enthusiasm for the base Fold 8, saying, “The more I use it and hold it and just mess around with it – I’m not going to lie – the more I’m liking it… I can really see myself… dailying it.” This response is noteworthy considering MKBHD’s extensive experience with foldables over the years.

Galaxy Z Fold 8 Series Features

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra follows its predecessor’s design, offering an 8-inch inner display and high-end features like a 200MP primary camera, a 10MP 3x telephoto lens, a 5,000mAh battery, and 45W wired charging. Priced at $2,099, it costs $100 more than the previous model. According to Ben Wood of CCS Insight, the pricing is likely to generate discussion.

The standard Z Fold 8 diverges significantly in design. Its unique dimensions of 4.8 by 3.2 inches while closed, evoke a passport’s appearance more than any prior Samsung phone. It boasts a 7.6-inch interior screen with a 4:3 aspect ratio, ideal for viewing photos captured in the same format. Its outer screen measures 5.5 inches, featuring thin bezels. MKBHD noted the outer display’s camera viewfinder provides superior coverage compared to the Ultra’s cover display. The device weighs 201 grams, on par with the Galaxy S26 Plus, which is impressive considering it contains dual screens and a 4,500mAh battery.

Both models in the Fold 8 series run on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, and utilize Samsung’s Flex Titanium hinge design. This design minimizes the central crease’s visibility and includes an anti-reflective inner display, which peaks at 3,000 nits of brightness. MKBHD compared the crease reduction favorably to Oppo’s Find N6, rating Samsung’s latest model around an 8 or 8.5 compared to perhaps a 5 for last year’s version. Despite these improvements, the Fold 8 lacks a telephoto lens and Flex mode, offering only a 50MP primary and a 50MP ultrawide camera. At $1,899, with an August 7 release and current pre-orders, buyers consciously accept these compromises.

Tactical Market Positioning Against Apple

With a foldable iPhone expected from Apple in 2026, rumors suggest a similar compact design to the Fold 8. Previous foldables from Oppo and Google briefly examined this form before the industry shifted to taller formats dominated by Samsung. Now, Samsung straddles both styles; the Ultra appeals to multitaskers, while the Fold 8 caters to those intrigued by the rumored Apple design.

In a nod to Microsoft’s Surface Duo, MKBHD likened the Fold 8’s physical prowess to the best parts of the Duo’s hardware, also suggesting its suitability as a lightweight e-reader. Marketing strategy depends on effective execution upon full review. The Z Flip 8 completes the lineup at $1,199, featuring the same Snapdragon chip and a slightly refined design, as anticipated.

According to GSMArena, Samsung is reportedly focusing production efforts on the Fold 8 rather than the Ultra or Flip 8. This approach indicates a belief that the new form factor will appeal widely. With MKBHD’s positive feedback, Samsung’s $1,899 investment might not be as risky as it seems.