"Most AI experiences start on smartphones. To realize the true value of AI, more people need to use it. We will integrate Galaxy AI into over 800 million devices this year," said Samsung Electronics' President, Roh Tae-moon, during the 'Galaxy Unpacked 2026' event held on July 22 at Old Billingsgate in London.
The event, lasting about 90 minutes, showcased new products including the Galaxy Z8 series and Galaxy Watch9, while outlining Samsung's vision for the future of mobile technology in the AI era. The stage featured product presentations, videos, and a surprise appearance by Spider-Man, creating an engaging atmosphere akin to a performance.
Roh described AI as "an indispensable intangible infrastructure in daily life," stating, "AI will reduce the need for app switching and help users focus on what truly matters." He emphasized connectivity beyond smartphones, extending to watches and AI glasses, asserting that "Galaxy's agentic AI will move with users in their daily lives."
The highlight of the event was the new foldable lineup. Samsung introduced the Fold8 Ultra, Fold8, and Flip8, declaring, "We are now in an era of choice for foldables." Designed to be the thinnest and lightest yet, the devices incorporate 'Flex Titanium' technology for enhanced portability and durability. Roh expressed confidence, stating, "We have been making foldables thinner, lighter, and more robust for seven years. This product is the most powerful and flexible foldable yet."
Choi Won-jun, Samsung's MX Business Development Head and COO, focused on the AI experience rather than hardware. He remarked, "AI is no longer a feature used occasionally; it is the foundation that drives the entire Galaxy ecosystem. We will usher in an era of 'AI OS' where users can simply speak their needs, and AI will navigate through various apps and services to perform necessary tasks." He also highlighted Samsung's commitment to openness, aiming to lower platform barriers by expanding data sharing between Android and iOS, as well as enhancing web-based sharing features and Smart Switch.
The much-anticipated AI glasses were also unveiled. Choi introduced the collaboration with Gentle Monster, stating, "Our goal was to create glasses that are not only technologically advanced but also comfortable enough to wear all day." The AI glasses are designed to be significantly lighter than similar products and offer up to nine hours of battery life on a single charge. They allow users to take photos and videos with a single button and seamlessly integrate with the Galaxy ecosystem, including organizing meeting notes in Samsung Notes and connecting with Google Meet.
Partners Google and Qualcomm also took the stage. Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon stated, "Our nearly 30-year collaboration with Samsung will continue into the AI era. The 'Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 for Galaxy' is a key platform that achieves both on-device AI and power efficiency." He emphasized that Samsung, Google, and Qualcomm are redefining mobile technology for the age of AI agents.
The event attracted a crowd of over 1,200, including influencers, YouTubers, and media personnel. Notable attendees included former Manchester United star Dimitar Berbatov and actor Jacob Batalon, who played Ned in the Spider-Man films. Batalon demonstrated the Fold8 Ultra's large-screen multitasking capabilities, showcasing the 'Spidey Tracker' feature, which allows users to view all information on one screen without switching apps. The audience was captivated when Spider-Man made a surprise appearance on stage.
After the event, attendees flocked to the product experience area, with the Fold8 demonstration space being the most popular. The new product's 4:3 aspect ratio generated significant interest.
Austin Evans, a tech YouTuber with 5.8 million subscribers, shared his thoughts, stating, "I loved the Flip for its compact form factor and portability, but the Fold has undergone significant changes since 2021. It used to feel too big and heavy, but the recent models are thin enough to feel like using a regular smartphone." He highlighted the Fold8 as the most impressive product, praising Samsung's new direction and noting that the wider form factor is likely to gain popularity among other brands, including Apple."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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