Samsung launched its Galaxy Z8 Series foldable smartphones at an event in London on July 22, 2026, introducing three devices priced from $1,199 to $2,099 as the company seeks to maintain its leadership in the foldable market ahead of Apple's expected entry later in 2026. The price increases of $100 over predecessor models reflect rising memory chip costs driven by high demand from the AI industry and supply shortages. Ben Wood, chief analyst at CCS Insight, noted that 2026 is a critical year for Samsung's foldable lineup as Apple's anticipated foldable iPhone launch will bring heightened competition to a category Samsung pioneered with its first foldable device in 2019.
Samsung Raises Foldable Prices Amid Memory Chip Cost Pressures
The three devices in Samsung's Galaxy Z8 Series are the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra ($2,099), Galaxy Z Fold8 ($1,899), and Galaxy Z Flip8 ($1,199). The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra is $100 more than its predecessor, the Z Fold7, while the Galaxy Z Flip8 is also $100 more than the Z Flip7. The price increases are due to rising component costs, particularly memory chips, which have seen prices skyrocket due to high demand from the AI industry and a shortage of supply.
Ben Wood told CNBC he was surprised there wasn't a bigger increase in price, which implies that Samsung may not be passing all of the cost rises to consumers. "That underlines the fact that Samsung is keen to maintain a competitive price point," Wood said. Wood added that the more than $2,000 price tag on the Ultra will be a "talking point."
Galaxy Z Fold8 Introduces New 4:3 Screen Ratio Design
The Galaxy Z Fold8 is a new style of device in Samsung's foldable lineup. While it opens like a book and is smaller than the "Ultra," Samsung said that the smartphone is designed to ensure a better viewing experience for content due to its 4:3 screen ratio. Samsung's foldable products have usually consisted of two devices — the Fold brand which opens like a book and the Flip device which opens like a traditional flip phone. The addition of the "Ultra" model makes this the first time Samsung has offered three products in its foldable series, with the Ultra being the highest-spec smartphone.
Wood said, "It is little surprise that we have seen Samsung deliver a different form factor for its Fold portfolio, because it has been widely rumoured that Apple is looking to have a wide screen foldable for the forthcoming iPhone and it is something that Samsung and others are keen to get ahead of."
Fold8 and Fold8 Ultra Feature Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra and the Fold8 both run on Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. There are differences between the two devices: the Ultra has a more advanced camera with three different lenses as well as a bigger battery. The $200 difference between the Fold8 and Fold8 Ultra may not be that large at the high-end of the market where buyers are willing to pay more.
Wood noted that Samsung will have to provide its customers with a clear reason to buy the Fold8 over the Ultra model. "The lower specification on the Z Fold8 means Samsung will have to have a very strong sales proposition for this device so consumers can understand why they would choose this device over the Z Fold8 Ultra, which is only $200 more," Wood said.
FAQ
What did Samsung launch on July 22, 2026?
Samsung launched its Galaxy Z8 Series foldable smartphones at an event in London on July 22, 2026. The series includes three devices: the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra ($2,099), Galaxy Z Fold8 ($1,899), and Galaxy Z Flip8 ($1,199).
Why did Samsung increase the prices of its foldable smartphones?
The price increases of $100 over predecessor models are due to rising component costs, particularly memory chips. Memory chip prices have skyrocketed due to high demand from the AI industry and a shortage of supply. These same memory chips go into smartphones.
What processor do the Galaxy Z Fold8 and Fold8 Ultra use?
The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra and the Fold8 both run on Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. The Ultra model features a more advanced camera with three different lenses and a bigger battery compared to the standard Fold8.
