Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8, Flip8 series launched: A wrap-up of what we know

Samsung has officially taken the wraps off its next generation of foldable smartphones. The Galaxy Z Fold8, Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, and Galaxy Z Flip8 were launched this week, marking the company's latest attempt to refine the foldable form factor for a broader audience.

The announcement comes at a time when the foldable market is getting increasingly crowded. Chinese rivals like Xiaomi and OnePlus have been pushing their own designs, but Samsung continues to bet big on its third-generation foldable technology.

Three devices, three different audiences

The Galaxy Z Fold8 is the standard bearer. It retains the book-style foldable design that Samsung has championed since the original Fold. The biggest talking point this year is the device's weight. Samsung has shaved off several grams, making it noticeably easier to hold for extended periods.

The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra is a more ambitious device. It comes with a larger cover display and a bigger main folding screen. Samsung is positioning it as a mini-tablet that can replace a laptop for light productivity work. The Ultra variant also gets a slightly bigger battery and a more advanced camera system.

On the other end of the spectrum is the Galaxy Z Flip8. The clamshell foldable remains the more accessible entry point into Samsung's foldable lineup. It now features a redesigned hinge that allows the phone to close completely flat with no visible gap.

Design and display improvements

Samsung has focused heavily on durability this generation. The Ultra Thin Glass (UTG) has been upgraded to a new formulation that the company claims is more resistant to scratches and impact. The hinge mechanism has also been re-engineered to reduce dust ingress.

All three devices feature Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays with a 120Hz refresh rate. The Fold8 Ultra's main display measures in at over 8 inches when unfolded, making it one of the largest foldable screens on the market. The Z Flip8 retains its 6.7-inch main display and 3.4-inch cover screen.

First impressions from reviewers at GSMArena and The Times of India suggest the devices feel significantly more polished than their predecessors. The crease on the inner display is still visible but less pronounced than earlier models.

Cameras and performance

Camera hardware sees a generational bump. The Fold8 Ultra gets a 200-megapixel primary sensor, a first for Samsung's foldable line. The standard Fold8 and Flip8 stick with a 50-megapixel main shooter but benefit from improved image processing algorithms.

Under the hood, all three phones are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chipset. Samsung has paired this with up to 16GB of RAM on the Ultra model and 12GB on the standard Fold8. The Z Flip8 comes with 8GB of RAM.

Battery capacities have been slightly increased across the board. The Fold8 Ultra packs a 5,000mAh cell, while the standard Fold8 gets 4,400mAh. The Flip8 manages 3,700mAh. Charging speeds remain at 45W for the Fold models and 25W for the Flip.

Pricing and availability in India

Samsung has announced that the Galaxy Z Fold8 starts at Rs 1,49,999 in India. The Fold8 Ultra is priced at Rs 1,89,999. The Z Flip8 is the most affordable at Rs 89,999. Pre-orders have already begun, with early buyers eligible for exchange bonuses and bundled accessories.

Official sales are expected to begin in the first week of August across online and offline channels. The devices will be available in multiple colourways, including a new 'Sapphire Blue' option for the Flip8.

The real test for Samsung will be whether these refinements are enough to convince mainstream users to switch from traditional slab phones. With competition heating up, the foldable market is no longer Samsung's alone to lose.