Samsung used its Galaxy Unpacked 2026 event in London to unveil a broad range of new devices, including three foldable smartphones, two Galaxy Watches and a preview of intelligent eyewear developed with Google.
The event highlighted the company’s effort to make Galaxy AI more proactive by allowing its devices to understand users’ activities and suggest actions across different services.
The flagship announcement was the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Samsung’s first foldable smartphone to carry the Ultra name. The device opens to an 8-inch display, measures 4.1mm when unfolded and weighs 215g.
It features a 200MP main camera, a 50MP ultra-wide camera and a telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. The phone also includes a 5,000mAh battery, 45W wired charging and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy processor.
The standard Galaxy Z Fold8 features a shorter and wider design, with a 5.5-inch cover display and a 7.6-inch internal screen. Samsung said the 4:3 unfolded format is designed for activities such as gaming and watching films, while rotating the device provides a more natural layout for reading.
Weighing 201g, the Fold8 is Samsung’s lightest Galaxy Z Fold model. It includes two 50MP rear cameras and a 4,800mAh battery.
The Galaxy Z Flip8 completes the new foldable lineup. The clamshell phone weighs 180g and is 6.1mm thick when open. It features a 6.9-inch main display and a 4.1-inch FlexWindow that allows users to access apps, updates and AI features without opening the device.
The Flip8 also has a 50MP main camera, a 4,300mAh battery and new video features, including Super Steady with Horizontal Lock.
All three smartphones run Android 17 with One UI 9. New AI features include Now Brief, which provides personalised updates based on users’ routines, and Now Nudge, which can recognise plans in conversations and suggest actions such as adding calendar events or saving locations.
Gemini Intelligence can work across more than 40 supported apps and services, while Gemini Notebook can organise notes, documents, recordings and images into reports, summaries, presentations and audio overviews.
Samsung also introduced the Galaxy Watch9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra2, with features focused on activity, sleep, recovery and wellness tracking.
The company previewed intelligent glasses developed with Google, Gentle Monster and Warby Parker. Built on Android XR, the glasses use a camera and Gemini to interpret what the wearer is seeing, provide directions, translate conversations and capture notes.
In the UAE, prices start at Dh7,999 for the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Dh7,199 for the Fold8 and Dh4,699 for the Flip8. Pre-orders are open, with deliveries expected from August 4 and wider availability beginning August 7 in selected markets.
