Samsung
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra to launch with these 14 impressive upgrades
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is launching this month, and it will bring 14 impressive upgrades over the Galaxy Z Fold 7. The Unpacked event is expected to be held in London, and the day is almost confirmed to be Wednesday, July 22.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra – 14 impressive upgrades
The next foldable is not just getting spec improvements. Samsung has elevated its appeal by bringing an Ultra tag to the name. AI capabilities are also enhanced through Gemini to answer Apple’s Google alliance.
Design and branding
- Renamed/repositioned as “Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra,” the first time the Fold line adopts Samsung’s Ultra branding tier.
- Reportedly thinner unfolded: ~4.1 mm, per leaker Ice Universe, making it one of Samsung’s thinnest foldables yet.
- New colors expected: Green Shadow and Violet Shadow, alongside Cream and Graphite.
- Stronger display support: The Z Fold 7 introduced a titanium plate layer, while the Fold 8 Ultra reportedly shifts to carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) for display support.
Display
- New crease-reduction structure: Dual-layer UTG with a laser-drilled metal support plate, targeting roughly 20% less visible crease vs the Z Fold 7.
- Inner display resolution reportedly significantly enhanced (single-source leak, unconfirmed).
Camera
- Ultrawide sensor upgrade from 12MP to a 50MP ISOCELL JN3 sensor, bringing it closer to Galaxy S26 Ultra image quality.
- Ultrawide reportedly gains 8K 30fps video recording, alongside the main sensor (previously an 8K-capable main only).
- Video capture reportedly adds Super HDR support in addition to HDR10+.
Chip and performance
- New Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chipset (up from Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy).
- Vapor chamber cooling reportedly replaces graphite-sheet cooling, the same thermal architecture as the S26 Ultra.
Battery and charging
- Battery capacity up to 5,000mAh with 45W charging. This is a major upgrade over the Galaxy Z Fold 7 that features a 4,400mAh battery with 25W charging.
Software and AI
- Ships with One UI 9 and Android 17 out of the box.
- Gemini Intelligence: Google’s cross-app AI that can automate multi-step tasks like browsing, summarizing, drafting, and sending without opening each app manually.
Samsung’s Privacy Display tech, debuted with the Galaxy S26 Ultra, may be adopted in the Galaxy S27, S27 Plus, S27 Pro, and S27 Ultra. If it happens, that alone is going to be the most significant upgrade in the 2027 smartphone market.
According to TheElec (via SemiconductorsX), Samsung could bring Privacy Display technology to the Galaxy S27, S27 Plus, S27 Pro, and S27 Ultra models. That said, the Galaxy S27 FE may only be the model in the lineup to lack this tech.
This year, Samsung introduced the Galaxy S26 Ultra with the world’s first Privacy Display technology. The solution is backed by Samsung Display’s Flex Magix Pixel technology, which dims brightness from side angles.
In 2027, Samsung will introduce the second-generation Privacy Display. The enhanced panels will likely resolve quality and reliability issues. Utilization in all models will give the lineup a steep edge over Apple’s iPhone 18 series.
An industry insider noted, “While the Galaxy S26 served to validate the feature primarily on the Ultra model, the Galaxy S27 is significant because the technology has been expanded to become a standard feature across the entire flagship lineup.”
Manufacturers are pretty much interested in sourcing privacy displays from Samsung Display. However, the Korean tech giant isn’t rushing to supply this product so early to the rivals of its MX Business sibling.
Privacy Display played a key role in pushing the sales of the Galaxy S26 Ultra. The display also faced criticism due to some quality concerns. However, Samsung confirmed there’s no technological problem with the Privacy Display.
Samsung will launch the Galaxy S27 series early next year with four models. Galaxy S27 Pro is the new addition to the lineup, which will offer a compact design. Rumors have already started to surface; access the archive here.
Samsung will launch a new Blood pressure trend feature, and it will be available on the upcoming Watch. The company announced it in a Health app notice focused on removing the Vascular Load feature in the US.
Blood pressure is already available on Galaxy Watches, while the new “trend” feature will first launch on the Galaxy Watch 9 and Watch Ultra 2. The devices are set to be unveiled in late July with sales starting in early August.
Blood pressure trend feature
Samsung Health is introducing a Blood Pressure Trend feature that lets users monitor how their blood pressure changes over time.
After the initial setup, the feature periodically checks blood pressure and presents long-term trends, along with basic tips that encourage healthier daily habits.
Before using the feature, users must calibrate their Galaxy Watch with a compatible blood pressure cuff.
Samsung also notes that Blood Pressure Trend is designed only for wellness tracking and should not be used to diagnose, treat, or manage any medical condition.
Anyone with concerns about their blood pressure or overall health should consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Source – @theonecid/X
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Samsung Messages is set to shutdown in the US next week. Following the initial announcement in April 2026, Samsung is now notifying Galaxy users of the exact date of the shutdown of the native messaging application.
July 8 is the date when Samsung Messages will shutdown in the US. Galaxy users who are still on Samsung Messages are seeing an in-app notification. The page reveals the date and encourages users to switch to Google Messages.
It’s worth noting that Samsung Messages will stay online outside the US even after July 6, 2026. However, it’s unclear how long the Galaxy’s in-house messaging app will survive in countries other than the United States.
Switch to Google Messages
Samsung recommends users make Google Messages their default messaging app. The switch will ensure users won’t face any interruption with the messaging function.
Google Messages is equipped with Android’s expansive RCS support. The new standard offers a next-generation messaging experience with useful features such as reactions and replies.
If you are still on Samsung Messages, it’s good to make the switch instead of waiting for the deadline to arrive.
To make Google Messages the default, open Google Messages, and the app will walk you through the entire process, and your chats will also appear inside the application.
Samsung is expanding its foldable portfolio by adding a new model to the Galaxy Z Fold lineup. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, featuring a wide-screen form factor, is coming this year, aimed at offering an incredible experience to users.
| Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 (Wide) – Rumored Specifications | |
| Processor | |
| CPU Speed | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy (all regions) |
| CPU Type | Octa-core (TSMC’s 3nm process) |
| Display | |
| Size (Main Display) | 7.6-inch (4:3 / 9:7 aspect ratio, landscape-first) |
| Resolution (Main Display) | QHD+ (4:3) |
| Technology (Main Display) | Dynamic AMOLED 2X, HDR10+, up to 2,600 nits peak brightness |
| Colour Depth (Main Display) | 16M |
| Max Refresh Rate (Main Display) | 120 Hz |
| Panel Structure (Main Display) | UTG 3.0 (Ultra-Thin Glass) – significantly reduced crease visibility |
| Size (Cover Display) | 5.4-inch (16:10 aspect ratio) |
| Resolution (Sub Display) | QHD+ (16:10) |
| Technology (Sub Display) | Dynamic AMOLED, up to 2,600 nits peak brightness |
| Colour Depth (Sub Display) | 16M |
| Max Refresh Rate (Sub Display) | 120 Hz |
| Camera | |
| Rear Camera – Resolution (Multiple) | 50 MP (wide) + 50 MP (ultrawide) |
| Rear Camera – F Number (Multiple) | F1.8 (wide), F1.9 (ultrawide) |
| Rear Camera – Auto Focus | Yes |
| Rear Camera – OIS | Yes |
| Rear Camera – Zoom | Digital Zoom only (no optical telephoto lens) |
| Rear Camera – AI Processing | Galaxy AI 3.0 – Enhanced Nightography, ProVisual Engine |
| Front Camera – Resolution | 10 MP |
| Front Camera – F Number | F2.2 |
| Front Camera – Auto Focus | No |
| Rear Camera – Flash | Yes |
| Video Recording Resolution | UHD 4K (3840 x 2160)@60fps |
| Slow Motion | 240fps @FHD, 120fps @FHD |
| Storage/Memory | |
| Memory (GB) | 12 / 16 |
| Storage (GB) | 256 / 512 / 1TB |
| Available Storage (GB) | 223.8 (256GB variant, estimated) |
| Network/Bearer | |
| Number of SIM | Dual-SIM |
| SIM size | Nano-SIM (4FF), Embedded-SIM |
| SIM Slot Type | SIM 1 + eSIM / Dual eSIM |
| Infra | 2G GSM, 3G WCDMA, 4G LTE FDD, 4G LTE TDD, 5G Sub6 FDD, 5G Sub6 TDD |
| 2G GSM | GSM850, GSM900, DCS1800, PCS1900 |
| 3G UMTS | B1(2100), B2(1900), B4(AWS), B5(850), B8(900) |
| 4G FDD LTE | B1(2100), B2(1900), B3(1800), B4(AWS), B5(850), B7(2600), B8(900), B12(700), B13(700), B17(700), B18(800), B19(800), B20(800), B25(1900), B26(850), B28(700), B66(AWS-3) |
| 4G TDD LTE | B38(2600), B39(1900), B40(2300), B41(2500) |
| 5G* FDD Sub6 | N1(2100), N2(1900), N3(1800), N5(850), N7(2600), N8(900), N12(700), N20(800), N25(1900), N26(850), N28(700), N66(AWS-3), N71(600) |
| 5G* TDD Sub6 | N38(2600), N40(2300), N41(2500), N77(3700), N78(3500) |
| Connectivity | |
| USB Interface | USB Type-C |
| USB Version | USB 3.2 Gen 1 |
| Location Technology | GPS, Glonass, Beidou, Galileo, QZSS |
| Earjack | USB Type-C |
| MHL | No |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be 2.4GHz+5GHz+6GHz, EHT320, MIMO, 4096-QAM |
| Wi-Fi Direct | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | Bluetooth v6.0 |
| NFC | Yes |
| OS | |
| Android | Android 17, One UI 9 |
| General Information | |
| Form Factor | Fold (wide/landscape-first book-style) |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Barometer, Fingerprint Sensor, Gyro Sensor, Geomagnetic Sensor, Hall Sensor, Light Sensor, Proximity Sensor |
| Physical specification | |
| Dimension (HxWxD, mm) | 161.4 x 123.9 x 4.9 mm |
| Dimension when folded (HxWxD, mm) | 123.9 x 82.2 x 9.8 mm |
| Weight (g) | ~201 |
| Frame Material | Armour Aluminium 2 |
| Inner Glass | UTG 3.0 (Ultra-Thin Glass) |
| Water Resistance | IPX8 |
| Hinge Rating | 500,000 folds |
| Battery | |
| Battery Capacity (mAh, Typical) | 4800 |
| Wired Charging | 45W |
| Wireless Charging | 25W Qi2-ready |
| Video Playback Time (Hours, Wireless) | Better than Fold 7 |
| Removable | No |
| Audio and Video | |
| Stereo Support | Yes |
| Video Playing Format | MP4, M4V, 3GP, 3G2, AVI, FLV, MKV, WEBM |
| Video Playing Resolution | UHD 8K (7680 x 4320)@60fps |
| Audio Playing Format | MP3, M4A, 3GA, AAC, OGG, OGA, WAV, AMR, AWB, FLAC, MID, MIDI, XMF, MXMF, IMY, RTTTL, RTX, OTA, DFF, DSF, APE |
| Services and Applications | |
| Gear Support | Galaxy Ring, Galaxy Buds Core, Galaxy Buds3 Pro, Galaxy Buds2 Pro, Galaxy Buds Pro, Galaxy Buds Live, Galaxy Buds+, Galaxy Buds3, Galaxy Buds2, Galaxy Buds, Galaxy Buds FE, Galaxy Fit3, Galaxy Fit2, Galaxy Fit e, Galaxy Fit, Galaxy Watch FE, Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, Galaxy Watch Ultra, Galaxy Watch9, Galaxy Watch8, Galaxy Watch7, Galaxy Watch6, Galaxy Watch5, Galaxy Watch4, Galaxy Watch3, Galaxy Watch, Galaxy Watch Active2, Galaxy Watch Active |
| Samsung DeX Support | Yes |
| Bluetooth Hearing Aid Support | Android Audio Streaming for Hearing Aid (ASHA) |
| SmartThings Support | Yes |
| Mobile TV | No |
| Software Support | |
| Security Update Period (Valid until) | July 2033 |
Samsung kickstarted July 2026, the month of the Unpacked event, with the release of new Galaxy Z Fold 8 teasers alongside the official wallpaper.
Galaxy Unpacked is likely to be held on July 22 in London. Ahead of the official event invite, Samsung has posted a series of cryptic teasers. The company also confirmed the Wide Fold model, tauting a new bold shape.
Galaxy Z Fold 8 teasers
Samsung Mobile has cleaned up its Instagram feed ahead of Unpacked. The profile page now has only the posts linked to the upcoming phones.
The new teasers feature food to highlight the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and its new shape. Two of the posts aren’t related to food stuff, with one showing a photo and its header cut off, while the second shows puzzle blocks.
Galaxy Z Fold 8 wallpaper
Now comes the wallpaper, which is a totally new approach. Samsung released a clip that starts showing colorful paint drops on a page. A wiper then comes into action, and the colors turn into the wallpaper of the upcoming device.
Apart from this, the captions of these teaser posts clearly highlight that a new Galaxy is coming. Samsung has started to build hype, even before the official Unpacked event invite goes public, and the approach is different this year.
Samsung will launch Galaxy Z Flip 8, Galaxy Z Fold 8, and Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. The company also has two premium smartwatches, the Galaxy Watch 9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, prepared for the Summer Unpacked reveal.
Stay tuned, as official teasers will continue to be released now.
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