Samsung just rolled out its most ambitious foldable lineup yet - and the market's responding. The Korean tech giant announced today that Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Z Fold8, Z Flip8, Watch Ultra2 and Watch9 begin shipping August 7 across 106 markets, with pre-orders already up 30% over last year's lineup. It's a major bet that foldables are finally ready to break into the mainstream, backed by Google's Gemini AI throughout the experience.
Samsung Electronics is making its biggest foldable push yet, and early demand suggests the strategy might finally be paying off. The company confirmed today that its eighth-generation Galaxy Z lineup begins shipping tomorrow across 106 markets, with pre-orders already running 30% ahead of the previous generation - a signal that foldables may be crossing into mainstream adoption territory.
The standout is the new Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, which brings Samsung's flagship Ultra branding to foldables for the first time. It's a statement device: an expansive 8-inch main display paired with a 200MP main camera that now supports HDR capture in full resolution mode, plus a new 50MP ultra-wide sensor for macro and wide-angle shots. Samsung's packing all of this - along with a 5,000 mAh battery and 45W fast charging - into a chassis that measures just 4.1mm when unfolded and weighs 215 grams.
"Strong early demand reflects growing excitement for Samsung's latest Galaxy Z series," the company said in a statement published on Samsung Newsroom. Among pre-order customers aged 15 to 34, exclusive colors like Green Shadow for the Fold8 Ultra and Mint for the Flip8 dominated, while Graphite led overall sales for both Fold models and Pink was the top choice for the Flip8.
The entire Z series is built around Google's Gemini AI, which Samsung is positioning as the connective tissue across the foldable experience. Galaxy Z Fold8 introduces Gemini Notebook, a unified workspace that pulls together notes, images, recordings and documents for organizing ideas. The Fold8 Ultra adds Now Nudge, an AI feature that suggests contextual next steps across supported apps - think moving from a conversation about dinner plans straight into a reservation without switching contexts.
On the Flip8, Samsung reimagined the FlexWindow cover screen to surface apps, insights and actions without opening the device. Now Brief delivers personalized information based on schedules and routines, while users can activate Gemini directly from the FlexWindow using the side key or voice commands. It's Samsung's sleekest Flip yet, designed for quick interactions and expression on the go, with a 50 MP camera and FlexCam features that make it easier to capture from flexible angles.
Buyers of any new Galaxy Z device get a six-month trial of Google One AI Pro, including 5TB of cloud storage - valued at $119.94 - giving them expanded access to Google's AI models for productivity and creativity workflows. The partnership reflects how deeply Google and Samsung are intertwining their AI strategies at the device level.
But Samsung isn't stopping at phones. Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and Watch9 are shipping alongside the foldables, both powered by Qualcomm's new Snapdragon Wear Elite platform. The Watch Ultra2 targets outdoor adventurers with an 800 mAh battery (a 35% increase over the previous Ultra), a display hitting 5,000 nits of brightness, shock-resistant titanium casing, and Trail Run tracking. It's rated IP69K and 10 ATM, certified to EN 13319 diving standards.
Galaxy Watch9 is the everyday health companion - available in 40mm and 44mm sizes with a lightweight aluminum design built for 24/7 wear. It features continuous health tracking including Vitals, Heart Health Score, Daily Cardio Load and Fitness Index. Both watches are designed to turn daily health data into actionable guidance, extending Samsung's AI ecosystem to the wrist.
Samsung is also making it easier to switch from iOS. The updated Smart Switch now lets iPhone users scan a QR code and wirelessly transfer data without downloading a separate app. It can now move passwords, passkeys, call history, accessibility settings and even eSIM information. And with new compatibility between Quick Share and AirDrop, files move seamlessly between iOS and Galaxy devices in both directions.
All devices will be available through carriers, retailers, Samsung.com and Samsung Experience Stores starting August 7. Color options include Violet Shadow, Lavender and Pink, with additional exclusive colors available on Samsung.com. Customers who buy a new Galaxy foldable on Samsung.com and enroll in Samsung Care+ get the first three months of coverage free.
The 30% pre-order jump is the headline number Samsung needed. After seven generations of iterating on foldables, the company is betting that AI integration, camera upgrades and ecosystem depth can finally pull foldables out of the enthusiast niche and into mass-market relevance. Whether that momentum holds past launch week will determine if Samsung's foldable bet was prescient or premature.
Samsung's eighth-generation foldable lineup represents the company's most aggressive push yet to move foldables from niche to mainstream. With pre-orders up 30%, deep Google Gemini AI integration, a flagship Ultra model featuring a 200MP camera, and an ecosystem play that extends to wearables and cross-platform compatibility, Samsung is betting that 2026 is the year foldables finally break through. The real test comes after launch day - whether the AI features, camera upgrades and seamless switching experience can sustain momentum and pull in upgraders beyond the early adopter crowd. If the pre-order surge holds, Samsung's seven-year foldable bet may finally be paying off.
