Samsung Unveils Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra with Titanium Display and AI Upgrades

Samsung has officially announced the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, a new foldable smartphone that aims to refine its existing design with significant internal and display upgrades. The device features a new display technology utilising a titanium film to minimise the visible crease on the foldable screen. Key specifications include the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy processor, 12GB of RAM, and a 5,000mAh silicon-carbon battery. The phone supports 45W wired charging and 20W wireless charging, with a starting price of US$2,099.99 for the 256GB model. Camera updates include a 50MP ultrawide lens and enhanced AI features optimised for the foldable form factor.

The most notable physical change in the Fold 8 Ultra is the introduction of Flex Titanium display technology. Samsung states that a titanium film sits below the OLED panel, offering 20 times the mechanical stiffness of the polymer film used in previous iterations. This film is bonded to a new titanium plate, a combination the company says makes the crease practically nonexistent during day-to-day use. While applying significant force may reveal a minor indentation, the improvement marks a significant step in foldable durability and usability.

Under the hood, the device mirrors the specifications of Samsung’s flagship S26 Ultra. It is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor and includes 256GB of base storage. The battery capacity has been increased to 5,000mAh, a notable jump from the 4,400mAh cell in the previous Fold7 model. This increase is attributed to the adoption of silicon-carbon chemistry, which also allows for faster charging speeds of 45W wired and 20W wireless, up from 25W and 15W respectively. The phone does not include built-in magnets to maintain thinness but is described as Qi2 ready when used with compatible cases.

Camera hardware has been updated to align more closely with the S26 Ultra, featuring a new 50MP ultrawide lens that enables dual 8K video recording from the main and ultrawide sensors. The main 200MP and telephoto 10MP sensors remain unchanged from the previous generation. Software enhancements include support for the APV pro video codec and built-in editing tools within the gallery app. Additionally, Samsung has introduced a Fan Cam feature that uses AI to identify subjects and automatically cut footage into various aspect ratios, targeting content creators who need multi-format deliverables.

On the software front, Samsung has optimised its AI features for the foldable display. The Now Nudge feature now appears as a floating bubble on the side of the screen, suggesting actions based on screen content. Google’s Gemini Automated Tasks have also been adapted to create pop-up windows when the device is unfolded, allowing users to multitask without obstructing the full screen. Despite these advancements, the starting price of US$2,099.99 represents a US$100 increase over the previous model, reflecting broader industry trends in rising hardware costs.

Rumours suggest that Samsung may also unveil or tease wearable devices such as the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 and Watch 9 during the same July Unpacked event, although these remain unconfirmed in the source material. The specific technical specifications for the wider Fold form factor and the Z Fold 8 Ultra were noted as unverified in prior historical context, though the current announcement provides confirmed details. The launch positions Samsung to continue polishing its foldable design ahead of potential competition from Apple’s rumored foldable iPhone.