Samsung’s annual summer Galaxy Unpacked event took place on July 22, 2026, with the company unveiling a slate of new devices that aim to push the boundaries of foldable smartphones and smartwatches. The event, which had been anticipated for weeks through leaks and rumors, delivered a mix of redesigned hardware, new product lines, and significant spec bumps. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the six biggest announcements from Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2026.
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Gets a Wider, Shorter Design
The star of the show was the Galaxy Z Fold 8, which underwent a major redesign compared to its predecessor, the Z Fold 7. The new model features a shorter and wider form factor, with a 7.6-inch inner display and a 5.5-inch outer display. This change addresses a common criticism of earlier Fold models: the narrow cover screen that made one-handed use awkward. The Z Fold 8 is slightly thicker than before, measuring 4.5mm when unfolded and 9.7mm when folded, compared to 4.2mm and 8.9mm for the Z Fold 7. Samsung introduced a new hinge design with Flex Titanium display technology, which significantly reduces the visibility of the crease on the inner screen, though it does not eliminate it entirely. The same technology is also applied to the Z Fold 8 Ultra and Z Flip 8.
Under the hood, the Z Fold 8 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy processor, paired with up to 16GB of RAM and up to 1TB of storage. The camera setup, however, has been slightly downgraded from the Z Fold 7: it now features two main cameras (50MP wide and 50MP ultra-wide) instead of three, with both the cover and inner selfie cameras remaining at 10MP. The starting price is $1,899, available in lavender, graphite, cream, and an online-exclusive pistachio color.
Introducing the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra
In a surprise move, Samsung introduced a new top-tier foldable: the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. Unlike the standard Z Fold 8, the Ultra retains the design language of the Z Fold 7, keeping a taller, narrower aspect ratio. It is powered by the same Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chip, with up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. The Ultra distinguishes itself with a larger 5,000mAh battery (up from the Z Fold 7’s 4,400mAh) and faster charging: 45W wired and 20W wireless, compared to 25W wired and 15W wireless on the Z Fold 7. The camera system mirrors the Z Fold 7’s setup: a 200MP wide lens, a 50MP ultra-wide, and a 10MP telephoto, plus 10MP selfie cameras on both the cover and inner displays. The Z Fold 8 Ultra starts at $2,099, available in graphite, cream, violet shadow, and an online-exclusive green shadow.
This bifurcation of the Fold lineup allows Samsung to cater to two distinct user bases: those who prefer the wider, more traditional smartphone feel of the Z Fold 8, and those who want the absolute best camera and battery life in a foldable, even if it means a taller, narrower design. It also puts the Ultra directly in competition with premium devices like the Galaxy S Ultra series and the iPhone Pro Max, while maintaining the unique foldable form factor.
Galaxy Z Flip 8: A Refresh With a Higher Price
The Galaxy Z Flip 8 received a spec bump rather than a design overhaul. It now runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, a notable shift from the Exynos 2500 chip used in the Z Flip 7. The device includes 12GB of RAM and storage options of 256GB or 512GB (no 1TB option). The display sizes remain unchanged: a 6.9-inch inner screen and a 4.1-inch cover display. The cover display gains new gestures and an app drawer for better usability. The phone is slightly thinner at 13.1mm folded and 6.1mm unfolded, but the battery is the same 4,300mAh. Unfortunately, the starting price increased by $100 to $1,199, available in pink, graphite, cream, and an online-exclusive mint.
The Flip 8’s refresh is a conservative update, likely because the Flip form factor is more mature and well-received. Samsung focuses on performance improvements and minor usability enhancements, while keeping the beloved clamshell design that appeals to users seeking a compact folding phone. The price hike may be a point of contention, but the inclusion of the latest Snapdragon chip should deliver better gaming and AI performance.
Galaxy Watch 9: New Health Metrics and a Price Increase
Samsung also refreshed its smartwatch lineup with the Galaxy Watch 9, powered by the new Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear Elite processor. The watch comes in two sizes: 44mm with a 1.47-inch display and a 445mAh battery, and 40mm with a 1.34-inch display and a 390mAh battery. Both sizes promise up to 30 hours of battery life with the always-on display enabled. The watch includes 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage. The standout features are four new preventative health metrics: Vitals, Heart Health Score, Daily Cardio Load, and Fitness Index. Samsung designed these to give users deeper insights into their overall wellness, potentially competing with Apple’s health-focused features on the Apple Watch.
The Galaxy Watch 9 starts at $379, a $30 increase over the Watch 8. The 44mm version is available in graphite and silver, while the 40mm comes in graphite and cream. The price hike may be justified by the new processor and health features, but it places the watch in the same price range as premium rivals. Samsung also confirmed that these health metrics will be available on the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 via a software update, ensuring parity across its high-end smartwatch line.
Galaxy Watch Ultra 2: Better Battery, Same Price Premium
The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is not a second-generation version of the original Ultra; rather, it is a new model that supersedes it. The Ultra 2 features a massive 800mAh battery, up from 590mAh in the previous model, yet the case is 12 percent thinner. Samsung claims up to 60 hours of battery life with the always-on display. It shares the same Snapdragon Wear Elite processor, but offers 2GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. The watch is available only in a single 47mm size with a 1.52-inch display. It also receives the same four new health metrics as the Galaxy Watch 9. The price has increased by $50 to $699, available in titanium silver and titanium gray.
The battery improvement is the headline here, as it addresses one of the biggest criticisms of smartwatches: daily charging. A 60-hour battery life with an always-on display is impressive by industry standards, and the thinner case is a welcome engineering feat. The higher price may deter some buyers, but for outdoor enthusiasts and power users, the Ultra 2’s durability and longevity could be worth the premium.
Google Unveils Two New Smartglasses Frames
In a surprising collaboration, Google made an appearance at Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked to announce two new frame designs for its upcoming smartglasses, developed in partnership with Samsung. The new frames come from Gentle Monster and Warby Parker, joining two earlier designs announced at Google I/O in May 2026. The smartglasses, which combine Google’s augmented reality technology with Samsung’s hardware expertise, are expected to launch later this year. The frames are designed to look like ordinary eyewear while embedding displays, cameras, and sensors. No further details about the smartglasses’ specs or pricing were revealed at the event, but the partnership underscores the deepening ties between Google and Samsung in the wearable and AR space.
This announcement, while brief, signals a broader strategy: Samsung is not just a phone and watch maker; it is also collaborating on next-generation wearable computing. The smartglasses could compete with Apple’s rumored AR headset and Meta’s Ray-Ban Stories, but with a focus on subtlety and fashion-forward design through brands like Gentle Monster and Warby Parker.
Additional Context: A Year of Transition for Samsung’s Mobile Lineup
Samsung’s 2026 Unpacked event marks a strategic shift. The introduction of the Z Fold 8 Ultra creates a three-tier foldable lineup (Flip, Fold, and Fold Ultra), allowing Samsung to compete at multiple price points. The redesign of the standard Z Fold 8 shows that the company is listening to user feedback about the cover screen size, while the Ultra variant caters to enthusiasts who want the best specs. The price increases across all devices reflect rising component costs and the premium nature of foldable technology, but they also risk alienating some consumers.
In the smartwatch segment, the Galaxy Watch 9 and Ultra 2 double down on health features, a key differentiator in a market dominated by Apple. The new health metrics, while promising, will need to prove their accuracy and usefulness in real-world use. The battery improvement in the Ultra 2 is a significant step forward, but the $699 price tag puts it in direct competition with the Apple Watch Ultra 2.
Finally, the collaboration with Google on smartglasses hints at a longer-term vision for wearable computing beyond watches. Samsung’s ability to partner with fashion brands like Gentle Monster and Warby Parker could give it an edge in the smartglasses race, especially if consumers are hesitant to wear bulky AR headsets. With these six announcements, Samsung has laid out a comprehensive vision for the second half of 2026, blending hardware innovation, health focus, and cross-platform collaboration.
Source:The Verge News