Samsung Electronics just dropped its most ambitious foldable lineup yet. The new Galaxy Z series - featuring the Fold8 Ultra, Fold8, and Flip8 - marks a major push to bring foldables to a wider audience with AI-native experiences baked into every screen. Available for pre-order starting today, the trio introduces everything from an 8-inch workspace on the Ultra to a reimagined FlexWindow on the Flip8, all powered by Galaxy AI and Gemini Intelligence.
Samsung isn't playing around anymore. After seven generations of foldable phones, the company just launched its most complete lineup yet - and it's clear they're betting big on AI as the reason people finally make the switch.
The new Galaxy Z series lands with three distinct devices, each targeting a different user. There's the Fold8 Ultra for power users who need a tablet-sized workspace, the standard Fold8 for everyday immersion, and the Flip8 redesigned as what Samsung calls an "AI-native" flip phone. All three go up for pre-order today in select markets.
"As AI becomes more agentic, mobile devices will become the most personal entry point to experiences that understand and adapt to each user," TM Roh, CEO and President of Samsung's Device eXperience Division, told reporters at the Samsung Global Newsroom. "By setting a new standard for foldables, we're once again advancing the premium mobile experience and opening the next era of intelligence to more people."
The weight reduction alone tells the story. The Fold8 drops to just 201 grams, making it Samsung's lightest Galaxy Z Fold yet, according to company specs. That's despite packing a 4,800mAh battery and the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Mobile Platform for Galaxy. The Flip8 goes even lighter at 180 grams with a thickness of only 6.1mm when unfolded.
But the real engineering flex here is Flex Titanium. Samsung's new display structure combines a titanium-alloy film with an enhanced titanium plate to make the screens thinner while maintaining durability. It's designed to absorb pressure and impact while reducing crease visibility over time - a persistent complaint about earlier foldables. The tech also refines how the hinge works, balancing display tension and magnetic force to make unfolding feel smoother.
The Fold8 Ultra goes all-in on productivity. Its 8-inch main display opens up a workspace that rivals small tablets, backed by a 200MP main camera system now enhanced with HDR capability in full resolution mode. A new 50MP ultra-wide camera handles landscapes and macro shots, while improved Nightography helps low-light shooting. For video creators, 8K recording through the new APV codec and Cine LUT color grading arrive directly on the device.
Power management gets serious upgrades too. The Ultra's 5,000mAh battery pairs with a new dual-path charging architecture that hits 67% in around 30 minutes with a 45W adapter, according to internal Samsung lab tests. An expanded graphite cooling structure helps dissipate heat during demanding AI workflows and content creation.
The standard Fold8 takes a different approach with its display ratios. The 10:16 cover screen feels natural for quick interactions - messaging, social updates, short-form video. Unfold it and the 4:3 main display creates a canvas better suited for gaming and films. Rotate that same screen and it becomes comfortable for reading articles and e-books. Samsung says the ratios are designed around how people actually consume content throughout the day.
Camera specs on the Fold8 include dual 50MP sensors for wide and ultra-wide shots, maintaining high-resolution detail across different scenes. Dual Recording lets users capture both sides of a moment while previewing through the cover screen. My FanCam automatically tracks subjects and reframes footage into social-ready aspect ratios with minimal editing.
The Flip8 might be the most interesting of the three. Samsung redesigned the FlexWindow as what it calls an AI-native interface, bringing apps, insights, and actions directly to the cover screen. Now Brief surfaces personalized insights and next steps right when users need them, while automation through Gemini Intelligence works from the FlexWindow via side-key activation or voice requests.
FlexCam enhances the signature Flip selfie experience with a 50MP camera powered by ProVisual Engine. It delivers detailed portraits with natural skin tones and dynamic bokeh. Flex Mode enables hands-free shooting from multiple angles, while the new Camcorder Grip with Zoom Rocker provides a more stable hold for dynamic shots. Super Steady now includes a Horizontal Lock option to keep footage consistently framed during action sequences.
Galaxy AI runs across all three devices, optimized for their respective form factors. Multitasking works more naturally on the larger Fold screens, while the Flip8's AI-native FlexWindow keeps relevant information and shortcuts within reach. The AI becomes more contextual when connected with Galaxy Watch Ultra2, Galaxy Watch9, and even upcoming intelligent eyewear, according to Samsung.
Now Nudge helps turn insights into action. When plans take shape in a conversation, AI surfaces relevant next steps like checking schedules or finding nearby restaurants. On foldables, users can continue conversations side-by-side on larger displays. Gemini Intelligence works across more than 40 supported apps, handling tasks from ticket lookups to restaurant reservations. Gemini Notebook brings together notes, images, recordings, and documents in one workspace with drag-and-drop support in Split view.
Security gets serious attention as AI becomes more personal. Samsung Knox protects from the chip up with on-device personalization and user-controlled cloud processing. Personal Data Engine enables context-aware AI experiences, protected by Knox Enhanced Encrypted Protection (KEEP) with encrypted, app-specific storage and Knox Vault's tamper-resistant physical layer.
One UI 9 introduces an AI Assistant Activity dashboard, giving users a centralized view of AI automations running on their behalf. Enhanced Privacy Alerts proactively notify about potential risks, including unnecessary background permission access attempts.
All models come in Graphite and Cream, with exclusive colors including Violet Shadow for the Fold8 Ultra, Lavender for the Fold8, and Pink for the Flip8. Online-exclusive colors add Green Shadow, Pistachio, and Mint respectively. Buyers get a 6-month free trial of Google AI Pro including 5TB of cloud storage - equivalent to $19.99 per month.
Switching from iOS gets easier with updated Smart Switch. Users can scan a QR code on their current device and wirelessly transfer data without downloading additional apps. The tool now brings over passwords, passkeys, call history, accessibility settings, and eSIM data. Quick Share's new compatibility with AirDrop makes file sharing seamless in both directions between iOS and Galaxy devices.
Pricing wasn't disclosed in the announcement, but the devices will hit select markets soon after pre-orders close.
Samsung's eighth-generation foldables represent more than incremental hardware updates - they signal a bet that AI-native experiences will finally push foldables mainstream. The combination of lighter designs, more durable displays through Flex Titanium, and deeply integrated Galaxy AI across three distinct form factors gives users real reasons to consider the category. With easier iOS migration, 6 months of free Google AI Pro, and Samsung Care+ coverage, the company's removing friction points that kept people on traditional slabs. The question now is whether AI features compelling enough to justify foldable prices and whether the broader market is ready to fold.
