Samsung has unveiled its latest generation of foldable smartphones, introducing slimmer designs, upgraded AI capabilities, and higher price tags as rising component costs reshape the premium smartphone market.
The South Korean tech giant launched the new Galaxy Z Fold8 lineup at an event in London on Wednesday, reinforcing its leadership in the foldable segment ahead of the widely anticipated entry of Apple into the category later this year.
Leading the lineup is the Galaxy Z Fold8, which measures just 4.5mm thick when unfolded and features a 7.6-inch display with a 4:3 aspect ratio, offering a tablet-like experience for multitasking, productivity, and video consumption. The device starts at $1,900.
Samsung also introduced the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, its most premium foldable yet. The successor to the Fold7 is even slimmer at 4.1mm, weighs 215 grams, and carries a starting price of $2,100.
For users seeking a more compact device, Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Z Flip8, a pocket-friendly clamshell foldable aimed at content creators and social media users. It starts at $1,200.
Speaking at the launch, TM Roh, President and Head of Samsung’s Mobile eXperience Business, said the company is once again raising the bar for premium smartphones by pushing foldable technology further.
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Industry analysts say Samsung is accelerating innovation as competition in the foldable market intensifies.
“Galaxy Z Fold8 is the clear star of the show,” said Paolo Pescatore, an analyst at PP Foresight, noting that Samsung continues to dominate the foldable smartphone category with devices targeting different types of users.
The launch also comes as attention shifts to Apple’s expected September event, where the iPhone maker is widely rumored to unveil its first foldable iPhone. Analysts believe Apple’s entry could significantly expand consumer adoption of foldable devices.
According to Francisco Jeronimo of IDC, Apple is expected to do for foldables what it has done in other product categories—bring the technology into the mainstream. He added that Samsung is under pressure to keep innovating to defend the market it pioneered.
Samsung’s latest foldables also reflect a broader industry trend of rising prices driven by the increasing cost of AI-focused components, particularly advanced memory chips. Apple recently cited similar cost pressures when increasing prices for select Mac and iPad models.