Samsung's annual summer Unpacked event on July 22, 2026, delivered a suite of new devices that promise to reshape the foldable and wearable landscape. The highlight was a completely redesigned Galaxy Z Fold 8, accompanied by a new top-tier Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, an updated Galaxy Z Flip 8, and two refreshed smartwatches: the Galaxy Watch 9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2. Google also made a cameo with new smartglasses frames. Here's a detailed look at the six biggest announcements.

Galaxy Z Fold 8: A Wider, Thinner Foldable

The standard Galaxy Z Fold 8 received the most dramatic redesign of the event. Moving away from the tall, narrow cover screen of its predecessors, Samsung opted for a shorter and wider form factor. The internal display remains 7.6 inches, while the cover screen now measures 5.5 inches, making it more usable when folded. The device is slightly thicker than last year's Z Fold 7—4.5mm unfolded and 9.7mm folded, compared to 4.2mm and 8.9mm—but the trade-off is improved ergonomics.

A new hinge design incorporates Samsung's Flex Titanium display technology, which significantly reduces the crease visibility. While the crease is not entirely eliminated, it's far less noticeable than on previous models. The Z Fold 8 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy, paired with up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. However, the camera system took a slight step back: it now features two 50MP sensors (wide and ultra-wide) instead of the three-camera array on the Z Fold 7. The 10MP selfie cameras on the cover and inside remain unchanged. The phone starts at $1,899 and comes in lavender, graphite, cream, and an online-exclusive pistachio.

Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra: Power and Battery King

The new Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra inherits the design language of last year's Z Fold 7—taller and narrower than the standard Fold 8. It's aimed at power users who want the best specs. The Ultra is also powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy, with up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. Its standout feature is a massive 5,000mAh battery, a significant jump from the 4,400mAh in the Z Fold 7. Charging speeds have also improved: 45W wired and 20W wireless, up from 25W/15W.

The camera setup is superior to the standard Fold, featuring a 200MP main wide sensor, a 50MP ultra-wide, and a 10MP telephoto lens. Selfie cameras remain 10MP on both displays. The Z Fold 8 Ultra starts at $2,099 and is available in graphite, cream, violet shadow, and green shadow (online only).

Galaxy Z Flip 8: Refined, but Pricier

The clamshell-style Galaxy Z Flip 8 received modest upgrades. The most notable change is the processor: it now uses the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy, replacing the Exynos 2500 chip in the Z Flip 7. RAM is 12GB, with storage options of 256GB or 512GB (no 1TB). The display sizes remain unchanged: a 6.9-inch internal foldable and a 4.1-inch cover screen. The cover display gains new gestures and an app drawer for added functionality.

The device is slightly thinner—13.1mm folded and 6.1mm unfolded, compared to 13.4mm and 6.3mm on the Flip 7. The battery stays at 4,300mAh. Unfortunately, the price increased by $100 to $1,199. Colors include pink, graphite, cream, and an online-only mint.

Galaxy Watch 9: New Health Metrics

The Galaxy Watch 9 ships with a new Snapdragon Wear Elite chip. It comes in 44mm and 40mm sizes. The larger model has a 1.47-inch display and 445mAh battery; the smaller has a 1.34-inch display and 390mAh battery. Battery life is rated at up to 30 hours with the always-on display. Both have 2GB RAM and 32GB storage.

The highlight is the introduction of four new preventative health metrics: Vitals, Heart Health Score, Daily Cardio Load, and Fitness Index. These aim to provide users with proactive insights into their cardiovascular and overall health. The Watch 9 starts at $379, a $30 increase from the Watch 8. Available colors: 44mm in graphite and silver; 40mm in graphite and cream.

Galaxy Watch Ultra 2: Massive Battery Boost

The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is a distinct model, not a second-generation upgrade to last year's Ultra. Its headline feature is an 800mAh battery—up from 590mAh—that fits into a case that is 12% thinner. Samsung claims up to 60 hours of usage with the always-on display. The watch runs the same Snapdragon Wear Elite chip, with 2GB RAM and 64GB storage. It comes in a single 47mm size with a 1.52-inch display. It also gets the same four new health metrics as the Watch 9. The price increased by $50 to $699. Colors: titanium silver and titanium gray.

Google’s Smartglasses Frames from Gentle Monster and Warby Parker

In a surprise cameo, Google announced two new frame designs for its upcoming smartglasses, developed in collaboration with Samsung. New designs from Gentle Monster and Warby Parker were showcased, following two earlier designs announced at Google I/O in May. The smartglasses are expected to launch later this year, offering a new form factor for augmented reality and hands-free assistance.

Overall, Samsung's Unpacked 2026 showed a clear strategy: refine the foldable experience with better ergonomics and battery life, while pushing health tracking on wearables. The Galaxy Z Fold 8's wider design could be a game-changer for multitasking, and the Ultra variant caters to those who want the best of everything. The price increases across the board may test consumer willingness, but the feature improvements are substantial.

Source:The Verge News