Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, Z Fold 8, and Z Flip 8 at its Galaxy Unpacked event, with the Ultra model starting at $2,099.99—a $100 price increase over its predecessor. The devices feature titanium displays, upgraded cameras, and AI tools.
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, the most expensive foldable in its lineup, launched at $2,099.99 during the Galaxy Unpacked event, marking a $100 price hike from the Z Fold 7. The company emphasized design refinements, including a titanium-based display structure that reduces thickness while maintaining durability. By setting a new standard for foldables, we are once again advancing the premium mobile experience and opening the next era of intelligence to more people,
said TM Roh, Chief Executive Officer, President and Head of the Device eXperience (DX) Division at Samsung Electronics, in a statement from the Samsung Global Newsroom.
Design and Display Innovations
The Z Fold 8 Ultra introduces a broader form factor compared to its predecessor, with a 4:3 main display that adapts to content, offering a larger canvas for gaming and media. Samsung’s Flex Titanium technology, which combines a titanium-alloy film with an enhanced titanium plate, allows the device to open more smoothly and feel lighter. The display also boasts 3,000 nits of brightness and a low-reflection finish, enhancing outdoor visibility. When rotated, the same display ratio becomes naturally suited to reading, giving users a more comfortable way to settle into articles, e-books and long-form content without carrying another device,
Samsung noted.
The Z Flip 8, meanwhile, retains its clamshell design but upgrades to a 165Hz refresh rate and a 50MP ultrawide camera. While it starts at $1,200 for the 256GB model, the Motorola Razr Ultra 2026—priced at $1,500—offers a 5,000mAh battery and 68W wired charging, challenging Samsung’s dominance in the premium foldable segment. Samsung typically holds the upper hand when it comes to foldable Androids, but Motorola has really stepped it up in recent years with its Razr flip line, especially when going head-to-head with the Galaxy Z Flip series,
CNET observed.
AI Features and Performance
The Z Fold 8 Ultra is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, paired with up to 1TB of storage and 16GB of RAM. Samsung’s Galaxy AI suite includes tools like My Fan Cam, which uses AI to edit vertical videos from horizontal clips, and Cine LUTs for cinematic video effects. As AI becomes more agentic, mobile devices will become the most personal entry point to experiences that understand and adapt to each user,
Roh said.
Despite these advancements, the Z Fold 8 series lacks S Pen support, a feature removed in the Z Fold 7 to reduce thickness. The S Pen was only supported on the inner display of the Z Fold series, which automatically removed a couple of use cases for users,
Android Authority noted. While Samsung has not confirmed future support, leaks suggest the company is exploring ways to reintroduce the stylus without compromising the device’s slim profile.
Market Reactions and Price Hikes
The price increases across Samsung’s foldable lineup have sparked mixed reactions. The Z Fold 8 Ultra’s $100 hike follows a broader trend, with Google and Apple also rumored to raise prices on upcoming devices. The industry-wide price rises have certainly been tough to swallow,
Engadget reported, citing a 15.7% energy price rise in the U.S. as a contributing factor.
What’s Next for Samsung’s Foldables?
As Samsung prepares for its next Unpacked event, the focus will likely shift to how it addresses user feedback—particularly around S Pen support and pricing. For now, the Z Fold 8 series represents a bold step forward, but its long-term success will depend on whether consumers see the premium price as justified by its innovations.
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