Samsung Electronics is set to target the premium smartphone market in the second half of the year with its next-generation foldable phones, which feature a new aspect ratio and improved folding structure. The company aims to minimize the central crease often criticized in foldable devices while introducing a wider form factor to boost sales of its Galaxy Fold series.
According to industry sources, Samsung will hold its 'Galaxy Unpacked' event in London on July 22, where it will unveil the Galaxy Z Fold8 (wide), Fold8 Ultra, and Galaxy Z Flip8. The invitation for the event hinted at a new form factor with the message 'A new shape unfolds,' suggesting a departure from traditional foldable phone designs. The model with the wider aspect ratio will retain the name 'Galaxy Z Fold8,' while the vertically elongated version will be branded as 'Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra' to emphasize its high performance.
The most significant change is in the crease of the Fold8 Ultra. A video leaked on July 12 by the tech news outlet Android Headlines shows the device being opened and tilted at various angles. Under bright lighting, some crease marks are visible at certain angles, but in typical usage conditions, the central crease is nearly imperceptible, indicating substantial improvements.
This enhancement is likely due to a new hinge structure and upgraded foldable OLED panel. While the crease has not been entirely eliminated, the depth and curvature at the folding point have been reduced, minimizing visual and tactile discrepancies. Although slight crease marks may be visible under strong lighting, they are reportedly not noticeable in everyday use. As Chinese competitors have been focusing on thinner designs and crease improvements, Samsung's advancements aim to enhance its market competitiveness as the leading foldable phone manufacturer.
The introduction of a 'wide fold' form factor, which reduces the vertical length and increases the horizontal width, is also anticipated. Industry experts expect the new model to feature a 7.6-inch QHD+ display with an aspect ratio shift from the previous 10:9 to 4:3. This change aims to provide a more tablet-like experience for viewing videos, webtoons, and documents. Samsung's official teaser also hints at a shorter and wider foldable design.
Camera performance, often seen as a limitation in foldable devices, is also set to improve. The Fold8 (wide) and Fold8 Ultra are expected to include a 50-megapixel ultra-wide camera, comparable to that of the Galaxy S26 Ultra, a significant upgrade from the 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera in the previous Fold7 model. The lower camera resolution had been a noted weakness for Samsung's premium foldable phones.
However, due to changes in form factor and rising memory costs, a price increase is anticipated. The 256GB model of the Fold8 Ultra is projected to be priced around $2,099, while the same capacity for the Fold8 may be set at approximately $1,899. If these projections hold true, the Fold8 Ultra will be the first of Samsung's flagship foldable phones to exceed a $2,000 retail price.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.