Samsung unveils Z Fold 8, Fold 8 Ultra and Flip 8

Samsung has just unveiled its new Galaxy Z Fold 8, Fold 8 Ultra and Flip 8 at its Unpacked event in London. Recharged is in attendance, as a guest of Samsung South Africa.

The rumours and leaks are true; Samsung has indeed introduced a new form factor for the Z Fold 8: a passport style foldable. It was unveiled alongside the larger newly named Z Fold 8 Ultra, Flip 8, Watch 9 and Watch Ultra 2.

The mobile devices will run Android 17 with Samsung’s One UI 9 overlay.

Here’s a quick look at the new flip and folding phones.

Z Fold 8: New passport size

• 10:16 cover screen; 4:3 main display
• 201g, lightest Z Fold yet
• Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip
• Dual 50MP cameras, dual video capture
• 4800mAh battery
• Colours: Cream, lavender, graphite, pistachio

Samsung says the new display ratio is designed around the way people naturally consume content, whether its browsing, watching, reading or gaming.

When folded, the 10:16 cover screen size is ideal to get things done, and the keyboard is not as narrow as the Z Fold 7, making it easier to type.

It’s also wide enough for social browsing, watching YouTube videos or checking email. When you open it, of unfold it, it becomes a 4:3 main display, which to me is the perfect ratio.

Having used the Z Fold 7 for almost a year, when I picked up the Fold 8 in its new size, I much preferred a shorter foldable. It fit my hand better, and when you open it and turn it around, it’s almost Kindle sized, making it natural for reading.

The hardware is reinforced by its new Flex Titanium technology, which uses a titanium-alloy film and plate structure to absorb impact, reduce crease visibility over time, and make unfolding feel effortless, according to Samsung.

The new structure also refines the way the device opens, balancing hinge mechanics, display tension and magnetic force to make unfolding feel smoother, lighter and more natural, it adds.

On the outside, an outdoor-ready display reaches up to 3 000 nits of brightness backed by Vision Booster, making it easy to view in outdoor environments.

For photography, users get dual 50MP cameras with wide and ultra-wide lenses; Dual Recording for simultaneous multi-angle captures; and My FanCam, which automatically tracks and reframes subjects into social-ready video formats.

The Fold 8 weighs just 201g, making it Samsung’s lightest fold yet. It is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip for Galaxy with 12GB of RAM and either 256GB of 512GB storage options. Battery life is 4800mAh.

Z Fold 8 Ultra: Productivity Powerhouse

• 215g weight, 4.1mm when open
• 200MP main camera with HDR
• Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
• 5 000mAh battery
• 45W fast charging
• Colours: cream, graphite, purple and green

The Z Fold 8 Ultra is marginally thinner at 4.1mm when opened, when compared to last year’s Z Fold 7 at 4.2mm. It has a main 8-inch display and a 6.5-inch cover display that has a 120Hz refresh rate.

It is powered by a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and paired with a graphite cooling structure to control temperature during intense workloads. Memory starts at 12GB of RAM with 512GB and 1TB options.

The Fold 8 Ultra now has larger 5 000mAh battery, when compared to last year’s 4 400mAh, which was one of the biggest disadvantages I though it had, that Samsung addressed, alongside 45W fast charging support. It can charge to 67% in 30 minutes, according to Samsung. Fast wireless charging is at 20W.

The 200MP main sensor with a bumped up 50MP ultra-wide and 10MP telephoto lenses for macro and landscape shots has improved Nightography, and 8K video recording through the new APV codec with Cine LUT controls. It has a 10MP selfie camera.

Z Flip 8: AI Native

• 180g weight and 6.1mm thin
• 50MP cameras
• AI Native interface on the cover display
• Colours: Cream, graphite, pink and pistachio

The Flip 8 is the slimmest and lightest clamshell from Samsung, which now measures 6.1mm thin, compared to the 6.5mm on the Z Flip 7. It is also 180g with a new cover screen experience, powered by AI.

It offers enhanced camera experiences through flexible shooting angles, real-time previews and Flip-only experiences.

Smart Flex Window features include an AI native interface that brings apps, insights, and actions directly to the cover screen, with Now Brief updates, and Gemini integration, without having to open the phone.

You can see in real-time when a Gemini related task is in progress, which can be activated directly from the side key or through voice requests.

FlexCam and selfie features include 50MP portraits with dynamic bokeh shots, stable handling for video capture while on the move, and super steady and horizontal lock keeps action-oriented footage smoothly framed as if you have a gimbal.

Samsung Galaxy Z Series Specs

Pricing and Availability

The new devices are available on pre-order from today 22 July till 12 August, and will be available on 13 August.

Visit Samsung South Africa for more information and pre-order deals: https://www.samsung.com/za/

*All information correct at the time of publication.