For most of its existence, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold has solved one problem while creating another. The book-style folding allows consumers to carry a tablet-sized screen in their pocket without carrying the tablet. But, despite its fault, that came at the cost of a cover screen so tall and thin that using it with one hand felt unnatural and uncomfortable.
In addition, viewing content on the internal screen came with large black bars at the top and bottom. Samsung is talking about that with the Galaxy Z Fold 8, which could include a completely new feature. Think short, wide, passport-shaped, and a cover screen that you can type on without shifting your fingers.
For the first time, Samsung has created a foldable device that is as comfortable to use closed as it is open. What’s more interesting is that the device comes as Apple prepares the iPhone Ultra to make the same argument.
Price and date of issue
Recent rumors put the Fold 8’s price tag at $1,899 for the base variant with 256GB of storage. Higher storage tiers can be more expensive. At this price, the phone will compete directly with the folds from other brands such as Motorola, Google, and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7.
Regarding the release date, the Fold 8 can be officially launched on July 22, 2026, and it may be available for purchase around August 7, that is, about two weeks after the announcement. You should be able to find the device at all major retailers and carriers in the US.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8: Rumored specifications at a glance
| Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 | |
| Cover display | 5.5-inch OLED, 1,972 x 1,248, 120Hz |
| Internal display | 7.6-inch OLED, 2,448 x 1,848, 120Hz |
| Dimensions (folded) | 123.9 x 81.9 x 9.7mm |
| Dimensions (open) | 161.4 x 123.9 x 4.5mm |
| The chipset | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy |
| RAM | 12GB |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
| Rear cameras | 50MP main + 50MP ultrawide |
| Selfie cameras | 10MP (inside and outside) |
| Battery | 4,800 mAh |
| Wired charging | 45W |
| Wireless charging | Qi2 (expected 15W) |
| Colors | Graphite, Cream, Lavender (sales); Pistachio (Samsung.com) |
| The original price | ~$1,899 (US, estimated) |
| Date of announcement | July 22, 2026 |
Design
Everything about the design of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is a departure from what Samsung has released so far, especially in the book-style folding area. Previous foldable phones were long and thin, shaped like a candy bar or a widescreen TV remote, but not a book. The Fold 8 can probably fix that for good.
Leaked renders from multiple sources show a device that appears to be shorter and wider than the Fold 7, or the alleged Fold 8 Ultra. Its dimensions are approximately 123.9 x 81.9 x 9.7 mm when folded and 161.4 x 123.9 x 4.5 mm when unfolded flat (without the camera), making it slightly thicker than the Fold 7 (via WinFuture).
Rumored to weigh around 200 grams, the device can feel even lighter in the hand thanks to its wider footprint and smaller profile. The leaked rendering suggests that it will be available in four colors: Cream, Graphite, and Lavender, with a Pistachio shade reserved exclusively for Samsung’s website.
Recently, Samsung confirmed its Flex Titanium technology, which combines two parts based on titanium, a titanium-alloy film and a titanium plate, to improve the durability of the hinge and, more importantly, visibility.
Finally, the phone can use the latest Gorilla Glass on the front and back, as well as an aluminum frame and an IP48 rating for dust resistance and water resistance (unless Samsung decides to upgrade it this year).
Show
Like other book-style folders, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 can have two AMOLED panels. On the outside, you can find a 5.5-inch cover display to handle the usual smartphone functions: calls, messages, and quick navigation.
According to the same report that leaks the dimensions of the phone, the cover screen may have a resolution of 1,972 x 1,248 pixels.
Open the hinge to reveal a 7.6-inch internal display with a resolution of 2,448 x 1,848 pixels. The overall pixel density should be suitable for reading, special media consumption, and multi-tasking of the app. However, the main highlight of the internal screen will be the aspect ratio, which will make the device more comfortable in landscape use.
Both Dynamic AMOLED 2X panels are expected to support LTPO technology for dynamic refresh between 1Hz and 120Hz.
Working
Both the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra may sport the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 “Galaxy” chipset. For those in the know, a variant of the overclocked chipset was already released with the Galaxy S26 series earlier this year.
And if you’ve already used a Galaxy S26 handset or gone through a review, you know it’s one of the best smartphone processors on the market right now. However, the foldable form factor and small profile can limit the performance of the chipset, which may maintain the optimal operating temperature.
RAM can be added to 12GB in all the last categories: 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB. Given how powerful the Snapdragon chip is, it should do well with 12GB of RAM on the device. Multitasking on the internal screen, installing and running heavy apps, or pushing games to their highest settings shouldn’t be too much of a concern.
The software
Out of the box, the Fold 8 will likely ship with One UI 9, Samsung’s latest interface based on Android 17. In fact, it will be with the device (and others arriving on July 22) that Samsung will release a stable version of One UI 9 for all compatible devices.
Unlike regular Galaxy phone users, who will get a fully customizable Quick Settings menu, network restriction controls, and a few other additions, Fold 8 users will get a few rumored additions, such as a Mirror View camera mode, dual camera split recording, floating tablet menus, and power multitasking features (via Sammy Fans).
Samsung’s Galaxy AI suite should come standard, including Live Translate, Note Assist, Chat Assist, and Browsing Assist. These features will also benefit the Fold 8’s larger canvas when used in an indoor display. What will remain unchanged is Samsung’s software commitment: seven years of major operating system and security patches.
Cameras
While Samsung may maintain the same chipset between the Fold 8 and Fold 8 Ultra, the cameras may differ. The Fold 8 is expected to come with two 50MP sensors on the back: one for the main and one for the ultrawide camera. By default, the phone can capture photos at 24MP, but you can increase the resolution.
However, unlike the existing Ultra(s), it won’t get a third telephoto camera, something you should know before you actually buy the phone. Cropping inside the sensor at 2x is still fine, but anything more than that and the sharpness may start to diverge. However, the device can send with two selfie cameras, both in the punch hole and each with a resolution of 10MP.
Battery life and charging
The battery capacity in the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is expected to be 4,800 mAh, which is a reasonable step up from the 4,400 mAh cell in the Galaxy Z Fold 7. Given its larger battery and efficient chipset under the hood, the Fold 8 may surpass the Fold 7 in endurance tests.
The charging speed can also reach 45W, compatible with the Ultra and faster than the 25W on last year’s Fold 7. Recent leaks also suggest that the foldable may support 20W wireless charging, but whether we will need a protective case with a magnetic ring or the phone will come with a built-in magnetic charger is not yet clear.
Reverse wireless charging is a must-have, a feature carried over from every wrap since the third generation.
Should you wait for the Fold 8 or buy one that already exists?
If you don’t want to get a foldable right away, and you don’t mind the lack of a telephoto camera, you should definitely wait for the Fold 8. Although most foldables in the US market share the same long body design, the Fold 8’s form factor can provide a really useful cover screen and content-friendly interior screen.
Nothing on the market offers this comprehensive passport format design, and you can be among the first to try it. With a starting price of around $1,899, the phone can directly compete with the Pixel 10 Pro Fold ($1,799) and the Moto Razr Fold ($1,899).
If you don’t care about the new form factor and can find other, relatively old options at a reduced price (saving $200 to $300 in the process), you can get them for yourself.
Apple’s iPhone Ultra is also arriving later in 2026 in the $2,000 to $2,500 range, aimed squarely at the same short and wide foldable consumer. If you can wait until September, Apple’s launch will give you a full picture of the competitive landscape before committing. If you can’t wait that long, Galaxy Unpacked is on July 22, and the Fold 8 should go on sale soon.
