Samsung raises prices on 2026 Galaxy foldables and wearables as AI features take centre stage

Samsung has officially unveiled its 2026 hardware lineup at its second Galaxy Unpacked event in London on 22 July, introducing three new foldable smartphones and two smartwatches. The announcement marks a significant shift in pricing and form factor for the company’s premium devices, with the new Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra debuting as Samsung’s first "wide-body" foldable designed specifically for media consumption rather than multitasking. Preorders are now open across the range, with all devices scheduled for general release on 7 August 2026.

The Z Fold 8 Ultra features an 8-inch main display with a 4:3 aspect ratio, a departure from the wider screens of previous iterations, intended to provide better proportions for widescreen video and document reading. It is joined by the standard Z Fold 8, which retains a more traditional tablet-style form factor, and the slimmer Z Flip 8. All three models incorporate Samsung’s new 'Flex Titanium' technology, a titanium alloy film beneath the flexible OLED panels designed to improve impact resistance, reduce the visibility of the screen crease, and offer a smoother opening experience.

Battery capacity and charging speeds have been updated for the larger devices. The Z Fold 8 Ultra houses a 5,000 mAh cell, while the Z Fold 8 contains a 4,800 mAh battery, both improvements over the 4,400 mAh unit in the previous generation Z Fold 7. Charging speeds for these tablet-style models have increased to 45 W, up from 25 W, although the Z Flip 8 remains limited to its previous charging rate despite a slightly slimmer chassis.

On the software front, Samsung has optimised its AI capabilities for the foldable displays. The new One UI 9, running on Android 17, features an enhanced "Now Nudge" feature that appears as a floating bubble to suggest actions based on screen content. Additionally, Google’s Gemini Automated Tasks have been adapted to create pop-up windows when the device is unfolded, allowing for multitasking that does not obstruct the full screen. The devices also ship with Gemini Notebook, formerly known as NotebookLM, to support enhanced workflow integration.

Pricing for the 2026 lineup has increased, reflecting component shortages and hardware upgrades. The Z Flip 8 starts above $1,000, while the Z Fold 8 Ultra reaches $2,100, making it the most expensive foldable in most markets. The Galaxy Watch 9, which retains the design of its predecessor but introduces new internal components, starts at $380, with LTE versions beginning at $430. The rugged Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, featuring a titanium case and IP69K rating, is priced at $700. Both watch models run on the Snapdragon Wear Elite platform and are available for preorder alongside the phones.