Samsung is planning a massive overhaul for its eighth-generation Fold lineup. Rather than launching a single, iterative device like always, latest supply chain leaks and FCC filings confirm that the tech giant will split the upcoming series into two distinct hardware tiers: the traditional Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra and an all-new form factor dubbed the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide.
Both devices are expected to officially debut at Samsung’s next Galaxy Unpacked event, which is heavily rumored for July 22, 2026, in London.
The luxury flagship variant, now carrying the “Ultra” title, represents Samsung’s push to finally give its premium foldable the absolute best hardware in its portfolio, directly addressing long-standing complaints about camera and battery compromises. The Ultra model is poised to inherit the massive 200MP main sensor from the S-Ultra series, paired with a brand-new, ultra-sharp 50MP ultrawide camera – up from the legacy 12MP sensor, and a 10MP 3x telephoto lens.
It will allegedly carry a massive 8-inch internal screen and a 6.5-inch cover display, with both panels featuring 2,600 nits of peak brightness and a sharper screen resolution. More importantly, the inner display reportedly utilizes a new dual-layer technology to significantly reduce crease visibility. Under the hood sits Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, while the battery gets a much-needed capacity bump up to 5,000mAh and 45W wired fast charging.
For users who have always disliked the tall, narrow aspect ratio of traditional Galaxy Folds, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide is the alternative. This variant adopts a shorter, wider, “passport-style” footprint, much like the OnePlus Open or Google Pixel Fold. Leaks from established tipsters indicate the Wide will feature a boxier 4:3 internal 7.6-inch screen and a traditional, highly usable 5.4-inch cover display. When opened, it measures an incredibly thin 4.9mm. Thanks to a new carbon fiber-reinforced hinge architecture, the Wide is rumored to weigh a mere 199 grams, making it lighter than many standard glass-slab flagships and undercutting the Ultra’s estimated weight. To hit that thin profile and a lower price point, the Wide drops the telephoto zoom lens completely, opting for a streamlined dual-rear camera assembly featuring a 50MP main sensor and a 50MP ultrawide lens, alongside a slightly smaller 4,800mAh cell.
Despite the massive hardware upgrades on the Ultra and the new chassis design of the Wide, Samsung is making a calculated move to keep its entry pricing steady to hold off impending foldable competition. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide is expected to start at approximately $1,800 (PHP 102,000), while the base Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra with a 12GB RAM and 256GB storage configuration is projected to land at $1,999 (PHP 115,000.)
While the base price remains unchanged from the previous generation, global DRAM and memory component shortages mean the higher storage configurations will likely see notable price hikes.
Both devices are expected to ship with Android 16-based One UI right out of the box, fully packed with deep Gemini-powered multi-app automation features, landing on shelves by early August 2026.
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