Samsung has introduced its 2026 lineup of mobile phones and wearables, signaling a trend towards fashion-forward devices. This announcement was made during the Galaxy Unpacked event held in London on July 20. The lineup includes three new hinge-based phones, two new smartwatches, and a pair of smart glasses. Samsung touts this lineup as its most complete yet, aiming to make foldable technology accessible to a broader audience. According to Samsung, this development is based on insights from seven generations of foldable innovation, offering users a variety of experiences tailored to different needs.
Galaxy Z Series Phones
The phone lineup features the Galaxy Z Fold8, Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, and Galaxy Z Flip8. Both the Galaxy Z Fold8 and Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra open sideways to offer expanded landscape screens, while the Galaxy Z Flip8 opens vertically to create a larger portrait display. The focus this year is on creating thinner, brighter, and more durable devices.
Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra
The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra especially stands out for its slim yet robust design. Samsung has used a new Flex Titanium material for the first time, providing a flatter and more uniform surface that improves the device’s ability to withstand frequent folding. Despite these improvements, a slight crease in the screen remains visible under certain lighting conditions. The camera setup includes a 200 MP main camera and a 10 MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. Though not a major upgrade from last year’s model, improved Nightography7 features and 8K resolution editing with a more adaptable APV codec are significant benefits.
Galaxy Z Flip8
The Galaxy Z Flip8 offers noticeable improvements over its predecessor, the Flip7. It is lighter and thinner, with enhanced functionality via Samsung’s redesigned FlexWindow Home. The cover screen now allows users to access a wider range of apps without opening the device, enabling functions like booking a taxi or checking reminders directly from the cover screen.
Samsung Smartwatches
Galaxy Watch Ultra2
The Galaxy Watch Ultra2 represents the most improved device in this lineup, featuring a 35% better battery life for multi-day usage. Samsung claims it is the brightest smartwatch currently available, with a larger display and 12% thinner casing. These smartwatches aim to offer deep health insights simply by being worn. Samsung highlights features like hydration monitoring for athletes and tools for divers to check depth, time, and water temperature. At $699.99, the watch is geared towards professional athletes.
Galaxy Watch9
For those less intensive users, the Galaxy Watch9 provides a more accessible option. It includes features like Heart Health Score and a fitness index to analyze body composition, flexibility, and cardio health. These health management tools, offering personalized insights, are among the best currently available.
Samsung Smart Glasses
Samsung’s collaboration with eyewear leaders Gentle Monster and Warby Parker has resulted in new smart glasses for the 2026 lineup. According to Won-Joon Choi, Chief Operating Officer of the MX Business at Samsung Electronics, these smart glasses aim to bring AI assistance to daily life seamlessly. However, detailed features of these glasses were not available for testing during the announcement.
Release Dates
The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Fold8, and Flip8 can be pre-ordered starting July 22, 2026, with an expected release in early August 2026. The Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and Galaxy Watch9 are also available for pre-order from July 22, 2026, with general availability beginning on August 7, 2026.
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