I attended Samsung Philippines’ exclusive media preview before the online lineup launch of the Galaxy Unpacked, or you can say the Galaxy Unfolded event, this July 22, 2026. Where Samsung officially unveils the Galaxy Z8 Series of foldable phones. The line-up consists of the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold8, and the Galaxy Z Flip8. Samsung focuses more on combining the improved hardware with Galaxy Awesome Intelligence to make foldable phones a daily driver device.

During the presentation, Samsung demonstrated how its latest software and Awesome Intelligence features work together for productivity, multitasking, content creation, and mobile photography. To improve your experience in a foldable form factor.

Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra: The Flagship of the Galaxy Z8 Series

The first presentation, of course, is the Galaxy Z Fold8 ULTRA. It wouldn’t be ultra without those “ultra” features and specifications like the larger OLED screen for productivity use without sacrificing portability.

The Titanium Flex Technology, which Samsung believed would improve the durability while maintaining a thinner profile.

Also, the Anti-Reflective Display with up to 3,000 nits of peak brightness and Samsung Vision Booster Technology makes it easier to see outdoors even if you are under the sun.

A Foldable Phone Built Around Productivity

One thing that stood out to me was how Samsung kept going back to productivity. They didn’t just simply say this is for productivity, but they showcased how it improves your productivity. By demonstrating the actual use of a larger screen by opening multiple apps at once, which is practical for content creators.

They also spent quite a bit of time talking about Galaxy Awesome Intelligence. Features like Now Brief, Now Nudge, and Gemini are becoming more integrated into the phone, but the one that caught my attention was Gemini Notebooks. During the demo, it was able to organize photos, voice recordings, and documents into summarized notes, which I can see being useful after covering events or meetings.

As a content creator, I was also interested in the new video tools. Samsung introduced Cine LUT and support for the APV Codec, then showed how you could edit content while taking advantage of the Fold8 Ultra’s larger display. It looked convenient during the demo, although I’d still like to see how well it performs once I get to test the device myself.

A New Shape for Practical Use: The Galaxy Z Fold8

The other model introduced was the Galaxy Z Fold 8, which has a new form factor that is more friendly to your hands, as the shape is easier to hold.

Samsung highlighted three optimized viewing orientations:

• 4:3 landscape for immersive video viewing
• 3:4 portrait for reading and productivity
• 10:16 Cover Screen for everyday smartphone use

Combined with the brighter display and anti-reflective coating, Samsung says the Fold8 is designed to provide a more comfortable viewing experience both indoors and outdoors.

Powering the device is Samsung’s latest flagship processor customized for Galaxy, paired with:

• 4,800mAh battery
• Up to 26 hours of video playback
• 45W wired charging
• 20W wireless charging

The Galaxy Z Flip8 Becomes Thinner and Smarter

Samsung also refreshed its clamshell foldable with the new Galaxy Z Flip 8.

According to the company, this is its thinnest and lightest Flip smartphone yet, measuring just 6.1mm when unfolded and weighing 180 grams.

Despite becoming thinner, Samsung says the device still features an advanced armor aluminum frame and a redesigned high-strength hinge for improved durability.

The larger FlexWindow also receives a significant software update.

Samsung redesigned the FlexWindow interface, allowing users to access widgets, notifications, Awesome Intelligence-powered automations, recommended actions, and the upgraded Now Brief without opening the device.

Samsung also demonstrated how FlexCam allows users to take selfies using the main rear cameras while previewing the shot on the cover display.

Awesome Intelligence is the Main Focus.

One message was always consistent: Samsung wants their Galaxy Awesome Intelligence to become your partner or daily driver on everything you do, not just an app that you open once and never again.

Rather than focusing solely on adding more AI features, Samsung emphasized making those features work naturally within the foldable experience.

Colors & Pricing

	Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra	Galaxy Z Fold8	Galaxy Z Flip8
Colors	Violet Shadow, Cream, Graphite, Green Shadow (Samsung Online Exclusive)	Lavender, Cream, Graphite, Pistachio (Samsung Online Exclusive)	Pink, Cream, Graphite, Mint (Samsung Online Exclusive)
256GB	₱123,990	₱109,990	₱77,990
512GB	₱137,990	₱123,990	₱91,990
1TB	₱165,990	₱151,990	—

Availability & Promos

Pre-orders for the Samsung Galaxy Z8 Series begin July 23 and run until August 13.

Customers who pre-order during the promotional period can also enjoy:

• Free storage upgrade worth up to ₱7,000
• Trade-in savings of up to ₱14,000
• Three months of Samsung Care+ worth ₱3,297