Galaxy Z Fold 8: In summary
- Samsung’s upcoming book-style foldable smartphone
- Tipped to arrive 22 July at London Unpacked event
- Could get a price rise in the UK
- Might be called ‘Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra’
- Upgrades tipped to include a larger battery, a thinner build and improved ultra-wide camera
Eager to know all that you can about Samsung’s next mainline foldable phone? Here’s our breakdown of all the latest rumours surrounding the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 and what we’d like to see.
At this point, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 has left quite an impression as Samsung’s first major shift in years to regain ground that had been lost to the likes of Honor and OnePlus in the foldable market – all by implementing a vastly superior design, upgraded displays and a beefier camera set-up.
Those upgrades now have us eager to see what Samsung has in store next, and whether it can keep that momentum going for the Z Fold 8 to craft something truly special. Here’s everything we know so far.
A potential name change
Just when we thought we were starting to get a solid idea of what the Galaxy Z Fold 8 has in store, it now seems as if Samsung is looking to shake things up with a new naming convention that has us scratching our heads.
We already knew, given the tons of rumours currently flying around, that there will be two book-style foldable phones from Samsung this year, the more traditional tall phone that would serve as a direct successor to the Galaxy Z Fold 7, and a squatter alternative that opens up to more closely resemble a tablet, mimicking the supposed design of the upcoming iPhone Ultra.
Until now, we’ve referred to these devices as the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and the Galaxy Z Fold Wide, but if the latest bit of news is to be believed, then this is not what they’ll be called at launch.
Instead, the iPhone-competing wider handset will actually get the regular Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 moniker, while the traditional successor will be referred to as the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. It now seems to be confirmed by way of a Bluetooth SIG database listing for the phone.
This is about as confusing a strategy as one can achieve, not just because it muddies all of the work that Samsung has put in thus far to separate the Z Fold range from the Z Flip, but it also doesn’t accurately communicate what these phones offer.
From what we’ve seen so far, this ‘Z Fold 8 Ultra’ is going to be a modest update at best, while the wider phone will be a slight downgrade on the Z Fold 7 (not exactly what you want in a successor) as it may feature just two rear-facing cameras instead of three.
Until Samsung confirms this new naming convention, however, we will continue to refer to this particular phone as the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, and the squatter alternative as the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold Wide.
When will the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 be released?
In summary
- Expected to launch on 22 July
- Unpacked event tipped for this date in London
- No staggered launch expected between the regular Fold 8 and the Fold Wide
As we dive ever deeper into 2026, there shouldn’t be too long a wait now for the anticipated reveal of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, particularly as the latest rumour has the phone’s launch scheduled for 22 July.
Word of this launch comes alongside an additional leak suggesting that the main Samsung Unpacked launch event for the phone will take place in London.
Other phones expected at the event include the Galaxy Z Flip 8 and the all-new Galaxy Z Fold Wide.
This has now been backed up by another Korean news site, which references ‘industry sources’. It also says the event will be held in London and will also be where Samsung launches, along with the foldables, the Galaxy Watch 9 and its first pair of Galaxy smart glasses powered by Android XR.
We now have a more concrete idea of what Samsung’s smart glasses are about after being shown off for the first time at Google’s I/O 2026 event. Made in partnership with eyewear brand Gentle Monster, these glasses don’t include a display and are meant to be used in conjunction with a paired smartphone. Although we already have several details, the expectation is that Samsung will dive even deeper during the Unpacked event ahead of their launch later in the year.
Circling back to the Z Fold, sticking to the July release date makes a lot of sense, not just as a means of beating the upcoming Honor Magic V6 to the global market (which is expected to launch around August), but it’ll also give the phone a head start over the even more hotly rumoured iPhone Fold.
For context, here are the reveal dates for previous Galaxy Z Fold handsets:
- Samsung Galaxy Fold – September 2019
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 – September 2020
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 – August 2021
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 – August 2022
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 – August 2023
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 – July 2024
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 – July 2025
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Sources: ET News | Korea Economic TV | Seoul Economic Daily
How much will the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 cost?
In summary
- Pricing is hard to predict
- Recent price rises to the Z Fold 7 have muddied the waters
- Z Fold Wide is likely to be cheaper
This is a tricky one as the current state of the global economy seems to be constantly in flux, and there is a precedent here for a potential price increase thanks to the Z Fold 7.
Although Samsung fans in the UK were able to buy the Z Fold 7 for £1,799 at launch (the same as the Z Fold 6), consumers in the US and Europe weren’t so lucky, with these territories seeing a $100 and €100 price bump, respectively.
To make matters worse, Samsung recently implemented a smattering of price increases across a staggering number of products, including the majority of its tablet range and, most crucially to this discussion, the Galaxy Z Fold 7.
In the US, the 1TB Galaxy Z Fold 7 now has a price tag of $2499.99 after previously going for $2,419.99. Although this price increase does thankfully overlook the entry-level storage options for the Z Fold 7, the whole thing doesn’t exactly bode well for the upcoming Z Fold 8, especially when you factor in the Z Fold Wide.
With just two rear-facing cameras, and the main sensor being a less capable 50Mp lens, the Z Fold Wide is almost guaranteed to be cheaper than the Z Fold 8, but whether it adopts the original price of the Z Fold 7 remains to be seen.
For context, here’s a quick look at the starting price history for the range:
- Samsung Galaxy Fold – £1,900/$1,980
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 – £1,799/$1,999
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 – £1,599/$1,799
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 – £1,649/$1,799
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 – £1,749/$1,799
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 – £1,799/$1,899
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 – £1,799/$1,999
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
What specs and features will the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 have?
In summary
- A larger 5000mAh battery is tipped, alongside faster 45W charging
- An upgraded 50Mp ultra-wide camera is rumoured for the Z Fold 8
- A less visible crease, once again
- The build could be lighter and thinner when opened
- A Z Fold 8 FE might be on the way, too
A bigger battery and faster charging
There’s very little known about the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 at the time of writing, but we do have a few tidbits of information that have started pouring out, most notable of which is a potential upgrade to the battery onboard.
One of the very first rumours to appear for the Z Fold 8 involved a potential battery update, with a Korean publication noting that a 5000mAh battery could be added to the Z Fold 8, which would trump the fairly small 4400mAh battery of the Z Fold 7.
This rumour is starting to gain more traction as it’s been repeated by a prolific tipster on X, noting that the wired charging speed will also get a boost, jumping from 25W to 45W. With Samsung having recently provided the S26 Ultra with a much-needed boost in charging speed, it would make sense for the brand to want to keep that momentum going on its flagship foldable.
These have both since been backed up by tipster Ice Universe.
Given that the Honor Magic V5 was able to cram in a 5820mAh cell, this feels like an essential upgrade to prevent Samsung from being completely outdone on battery life.
Sources: Dealsite | TheGalox | Ice Universe
A less noticeable crease and better durability
The visible crease of the inner display has long been a sticking point for the Z Fold range and for anyone who’s tempted by the foldable form factor but not completely ready to take the plunge, and it seems as though Samsung is looking to rectify things for the Fold 8’s arrival.
One rumour now points towards the brand using Ultra Thin Glass (UTG) as a means of reducing the visibility of the crease by about 20%, and then utilising a laser-drilled metal support plate to ensure that the overall durability of the display isn’t negatively affected by the change.
Mattias Inghe
Of course, it’s difficult to quantify such a change until you actually get the device in your hands and compare it to what we’ve seen before, but any attempt to further hide the crease is much appreciated, not in the least because it’ll help with overall usability, especially for when apps take up the entirety of the display.
It’s worth mentioning that during CES 2026, Samsung briefly showcased a foldable display that had no visible crease whatsoever. Before you get too excited, there’s a chance that such a premium panel might be destined for the upcoming iPhone Ultra as opposed to the Galaxy Z Fold 8, but it does at least make Samsung’s plans to diminish the crease more believable.
Anyone hoping that the Z Fold 8 might get the impressive new Privacy Display found on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra should temper their expectations. From what we’ve heard so far, the feature will remain exclusive to the Ultra range for now, so the Z Fold 8 will not make use of it.
Sources: Dealsite | TheGalox | Ice Universe
A big upgrade for just one camera
Samsung has been known for being fairly iterative over the last few smartphone generations with regard to camera upgrades, and that’s largely the same with the Z Fold 8.
From what we can gather, the newer phone will still have the same 200Mp main camera of its predecessor, as well as the familiar 3x 10Mp telephoto. What will be new for 2026 is an updated ultra-wide camera.
Luke Baker
Unlike the Z Fold 7 which had a fairly lacklustre 12Mp ultra-wide camera for such an expensive device, the Fold 8 could be packing a much improved 50Mp equivalent. Although it’s true that megapixel counts don’t automatically translate into great pictures, it is nice to see Samsung make an effort to more closely align the specs of its Z Fold range with those of the Galaxy Ultra series.
Sources: TheGalox
Debate over the weight
Adding fuel to the idea that the Z Fold 8 is a more refined version of the Fold 7, rather than a massive upgrade, rumour has it that Samsung will be looking to make the newer foldable feel just a tad less cumbersome by shaving off a few millimetres and grams from the device.
Word on the street has the Galaxy Z Fold 8 as being just 4.1mm thin when unfolded, which would bring the device in line with the Honor Magic V5 and be just a tad thinner than the Oppo Find N6.
In terms of weight, the Fold 8 may just clock in at roughly 210g which is a fraction lighter than the 215g Z Fold 7. Of course, it’s such a minute difference that it might even be hard to recognise when holding both phones side by side, but it’s a welcome change nonetheless.
However, a more recent rumour from Ice Universe says the phone will weigh the same as its predecessor at 215g.
Sources: Techmaniacs | Ice Universe
Finally, an affordable Z Fold
Not only are we likely to see two size options for the Galaxy Z Fold 8, it now appears as if Samsung is finally embracing the idea of a more affordable model for its flagship foldable, with all signs pointing towards the existence of a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 FE.
This tidbit comes hot off the heels of a yet unknown Samsung phone with the model name SM-F971U appearing on the IMEI database, which is very similar in its naming convention to the SM-F976U code used for the standard Galaxy Z Fold 8.
Britta O’Boyle
Given that we finally saw Samsung embrace a more affordable flip phone last year with the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE (pictured above), it only makes sense that the brand would look to give its Fold range the same treatment. This would also help Samsung to reach a mostly untapped part of the market as the only way of buying an affordable foldable right now is by opting for an older model.
Sources: Smartprix
The next generation of Snapdragon
An upgrade that should come as no surprise to anyone but welcome nonetheless is the leap forward to using the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chipset.
Chris Martin / Foundry
We’ve already seen this CPU appear in the Samsung Galaxy S26 range and, as expected, it is a processing marvel that can zip through pretty heavy-duty tasks with ease.Â
When you throw in all of the added multitasking capabilities of the Z Fold range, having that bit of extra oomph in the tank will certainly go a long way, and overall performance will no doubt be a key factor in helping to future-proof the Z Fold 8 against the impending iPhone Fold, if it does launch this year. There’s also word of a vapour chamber for enhanced cooling which should help with more intensive apps.
Source: TheGalox
That’s all we know about the Galaxy Z Fold 8 at the moment, but we’ll be updating this article over the coming weeks and months up to its official launch.
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April 02, 2025, 07:22:38 PM