On July 22 in London, Samsung will draw back the curtain on what it calls 'A New Shape Unfolds'—a phrase that carries more than marketing weight, suggesting the company is ready to rethink the very geometry of foldable devices after years of tall, narrow designs. The event promises not just new phones, but a broader vision: smarter wearables, AI woven deeper into daily life, and perhaps the first public glimpse of spatial computing through Android XR glasses. For India's early adopters, pre-reservations are already open, with prices expected to range from roughly Rs 1.2 to 2 lakh—a signal that
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, Fold 8 & Flip 8 launch July 22 with AI upgrades
A New Shape Unfolds—Samsung hints at moving beyond the tall foldable form
Mark
Why is Samsung bothering with a third foldable model? Aren't two enough?
Mimi
The Ultra tier works for Samsung because it lets them capture different customers at different price points. The standard Fold reaches people who want the innovation; the Ultra reaches people who want the absolute best and will pay for it. It's the same strategy that made the Galaxy S Ultra successful.
Mark
But what's actually different about the Ultra beyond specs? Is it just a faster processor and better camera?
Mimi
The crease reduction is the real story. That fold line in the middle of the screen has been the foldable's Achilles heel since day one. If Samsung has genuinely solved that, it changes how the device feels to use. That's not just a spec bump—that's addressing the thing people complain about most.
Mark
The passport-style design sounds like a bigger change than they usually make. Are they actually redesigning the whole thing?
Mimi
The teaser suggests it, but Samsung is being deliberately vague. They could mean a wider aspect ratio when folded, or they could mean something more fundamental. The fact that they're hinting at it rather than showing it tells you they want to control the narrative until July 22.
Mark
What about those Android XR glasses? Are those actually coming, or is that just wishful thinking?
Mimi
Samsung has been working on spatial computing for years. The glasses are real—they've been spotted in leaks multiple times. But there's a difference between unveiling something and shipping it. My guess is they show it in July but don't sell it until next year. It's a way to say "we're serious about this space" without admitting they're not quite ready.
Mark
Why does India matter so much for these pre-reservations?
Mimi
India is Samsung's second-largest market after China. Getting people to commit early—even with just Rs 999—gives Samsung real data on demand before they finalize production numbers. It also builds momentum. By July 22, they'll have thousands of Indians already emotionally invested in these phones.
Mark
Those prices seem high. Who actually buys a Rs 2 lakh phone?
Mimi
More people than you'd think. In India's top metros, that's not an unreasonable price for a flagship device. And foldables are still luxury products—they're not for everyone. Samsung knows that. They're not trying to sell millions of Z Fold 8 Ultras. They're trying to sell enough to justify the R&D and establish Samsung as the leader in premium foldables.
Der Puls
- Samsung's teaser tagline 'A New Shape Unfolds' has ignited speculation that the company is abandoning its tall, narrow foldable silhouette in favor of a wider, passport-style form factor that could finally make folded phones feel natural in a pocket.
- A new Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra tier raises the stakes considerably, promising crease reduction breakthroughs, triple cameras, and faster charging—directly targeting the persistent criticisms that have kept foldables from going mainstream.
- Android XR smart glasses hover at the edge of the announcement, potentially marking Samsung's first real step into spatial computing, though commercial availability may still be months beyond the July 22 reveal.
- In India, the pre-reservation machine is already running—Rs 999 secures a spot and Rs 2,799 in benefits—while expected price tags climbing toward Rs 2 lakh signal that Samsung is positioning these as aspirational, not accessible, devices.
- The choice of London as the stage is deliberate branding: Samsung wants the world to see this not as an iteration, but as a redefinition of what foldable technology can mean.
On July 22 in London, Samsung will draw back the curtain on what it calls 'A New Shape Unfolds'—a phrase that carries more than marketing weight, suggesting the company is ready to rethink the very geometry of foldable devices after years of tall, narrow designs. The event promises not just new phones, but a broader vision: smarter wearables, AI woven deeper into daily life, and perhaps the first public glimpse of spatial computing through Android XR glasses. For India's early adopters, pre-reservations are already open, with prices expected to range from roughly Rs 1.2 to 2 lakh—a signal that Samsung is betting its most ambitious hardware cycle yet on a world ready to fold differently.
Samsung has set July 22 as the date for its Galaxy Unpacked event in London, and the teaser line—'A New Shape Unfolds'—suggests the company is preparing something more than a routine refresh. The British capital, chosen for its association with trend-setting rather than trend-following, will host the unveiling of a new foldable generation that may abandon the tall, narrow form factor that has defined the category since its beginning, potentially moving toward a wider, passport-style design that feels more practical when closed.
The headline addition to the lineup is the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, a premium tier that mirrors the Ultra designation Samsung uses in its Galaxy S series. Expected to arrive alongside the standard Fold 8 and Flip 8, the Ultra variant is rumored to feature meaningful progress on crease reduction—long the category's most visible flaw—plus a triple rear camera system, faster charging, and a more powerful processor. All three models are anticipated to carry deeper Galaxy AI integration, with Samsung framing artificial intelligence as central to the foldable experience rather than a secondary feature.
The standard Fold 8 and Flip 8, meanwhile, appear to take an evolutionary path: slimmer builds, redesigned hinges, and smarter multitasking software. Samsung seems to be signaling confidence in its foldable fundamentals while methodically addressing the engineering challenges that have limited broader adoption.
Beyond phones, the event is expected to introduce the Galaxy Watch 9 and possibly a Watch Ultra 2. More consequentially, Samsung may offer its first formal public look at Android XR smart glasses—a product long rumored but never officially shown—though a commercial launch could still be some months away.
In India, pre-reservations are already open with a refundable Rs 999 token available through Samsung's website, major e-commerce platforms, and authorized retailers. Expected pricing places the Fold 8 Ultra near Rs 1,99,990, the standard Fold 8 at Rs 1,74,999, and the Flip 8 at Rs 1,19,999. The full event streams live at 6:30 pm IST on July 22, and the weeks until then will likely bring a steady current of leaks—but the true measure of Samsung's ambition will only arrive when the shape finally unfolds.
Samsung is coming to London on July 22 with what could be one of its most significant product announcements in years. The company has officially confirmed the date for its Galaxy Unpacked event, choosing the British capital as the stage for unveiling a new generation of foldable phones, smartwatches, and possibly its long-awaited Android XR smart glasses. The teaser line—"A New Shape Unfolds"—suggests the company is preparing to move beyond the tall, narrow foldable designs that have defined the category since its inception, potentially embracing a wider, passport-style form factor that could make these devices more practical when closed.
The centerpiece of the event appears to be a new premium model called the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, which would sit atop Samsung's foldable lineup much like the Ultra designation does in its flagship Galaxy S phones. If the leaks prove accurate, this device would arrive alongside the standard Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Flip 8, giving Samsung three distinct foldable options at different price points. The Ultra variant is rumored to feature improved crease reduction technology—a persistent challenge in foldable displays—along with a triple rear camera system, faster wired charging, and a more powerful processor. All three models are expected to receive substantial upgrades to Samsung's Galaxy AI capabilities, with the company positioning artificial intelligence as a core feature across its foldable ecosystem.
While the Ultra model represents a bold new entry, the standard Fold 8 and Flip 8 are expected to take a more evolutionary approach. Rather than dramatic redesigns, Samsung appears focused on refinement: slimmer and lighter construction, redesigned hinges for better durability, improved crease management, and enhanced software that leverages AI for smarter multitasking and communication. These incremental improvements suggest Samsung is confident in the fundamental appeal of its foldable form factors and is now concentrating on solving the technical challenges that have plagued the category.
Beyond phones, Samsung is widely expected to introduce the Galaxy Watch 9 and possibly a Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, continuing its expansion in wearables. More intriguingly, the company is anticipated to offer its first official public look at Android XR smart glasses—a product that has been rumored for years but never formally unveiled. While Samsung may showcase the glasses at the July 22 event, commercial availability could still be months away, suggesting the company wants to build anticipation and gather feedback before a full market launch.
In India, Samsung has already begun accepting pre-reservations for the upcoming devices. Customers can reserve products by paying a refundable token of Rs 999 through Samsung's website, exclusive stores, Amazon India, Flipkart, and authorized retailers. Those who pre-reserve will receive benefits worth Rs 2,799 upon purchase of an eligible device after launch. Industry reports suggest pricing that would position the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra at around Rs 1,99,990, the standard Fold 8 at Rs 1,74,999, and the Flip 8 at Rs 1,19,999—representing modest increases from the previous generation, which launched at Rs 1,74,999 and Rs 1,09,999 respectively.
The July 22 event will stream live at 6:30 pm IST through Samsung's official website, newsroom, and YouTube channel. Samsung's choice of London as the venue carries symbolic weight; the company described the city as embodying its vision of innovation by "setting trends rather than following them." That framing hints at Samsung's ambitions for this launch—not merely iterating on existing foldable designs, but reshaping what these devices can be and how they fit into users' lives. The next two weeks will likely bring more leaks and speculation, but on July 22, Samsung will finally reveal whether the company's redesigned foldables live up to the considerable hype.
Bemerkenswerte Zitate
Samsung described London as embodying its vision of innovation by setting trends rather than following them— Samsung's official statement on venue selection
Möchten Sie die ganze Geschichte?
Das Original lesen bei The Economic Times ↗
Technology