Samsung’s Galaxy Z 8 foldables bring the snap back to phones
Samsung’s new Galaxy Z Flip 8, Z Fold 8 and Z Fold 8 Ultra arrive July 22 with thinner builds, upgraded chips and higher prices.
By Bianca Rossi · Entertainment Editor
3 min read
Samsung’s next foldables are landing at Galaxy Unpacked on July 22, and the early hands-on verdict from Mashable is clear: the Galaxy Z 8 lineup has the kind of pocket-party trick most slab phones cannot offer.
The trio includes the Galaxy Z Flip 8, Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. Mashable reported that the devices have not yet been put through full testing for processor speed, battery life or photography, but said the phones made a strong first impression in hand.
Three foldables, three price tags
The Galaxy Z Flip 8 is Samsung’s compact clamshell model and starts at $1,199.99. It is the more playful-looking device in the lineup, with the report pointing to its pocketable shape and color options as part of its appeal.
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 starts at $1,899.99 and introduces a wider 4:3 form factor this year. Mashable said its size and design are similar to Apple’s rumored iPhone Fold Ultra, a foldable the outlet said it hopes Apple will unveil in September.
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra sits at the top of the range with a $2,199.99 starting price. According to the report, its camera setup moves closer to Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra, which was released in the spring.
Samsung says the Galaxy Z Flip 8 is its thinnest and lightest flip foldable yet. Mashable said all three phones felt extremely thin when opened, while still avoiding a flimsy feel.
The display crease, long the foldable phone gremlin, also appears to be less of a concern. Mashable reported that the crease is not noticeable when the new screens are unfolded and powered on, continuing an improvement the outlet said began in 2025.
Prices climb as memory costs bite
The new phones arrive as a global memory shortage pushes up consumer tech costs. Mashable cited experts who say the crisis will get worse before it improves.
That pressure is showing up in Samsung’s foldable pricing. According to Mashable, Samsung has removed long-running preorder offers, while the Galaxy Z Flip 8 and Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra each cost $100 more than last year’s versions.
Mashable pointed readers toward trade-in offers and carrier preorder deals from companies including T-Mobile and Verizon. The report also cited Counterpoint Research data showing that shoppers in the U.S. and China are buying fewer smartphones this year.
The upgrades under the hinge
Samsung’s new foldables are thinner and lighter than last year’s models, according to Mashable, but the bigger changes are not all on the outside.
All three phones use the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chipset, Mashable reported, despite earlier rumors that the Z Flip 8 would use an Exynos processor.
The battery and charging numbers also get a lift on the Fold models. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra has a 5,000 mAh battery, while the Galaxy Z Fold 8 has a 4,800 mAh cell. Both Fold models support 45W wired charging and 20W wireless charging, according to the report.
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 also carries a 200MP main camera. Mashable said the Ultra’s camera array still does not fully match the Galaxy S26 Ultra or iPhone 17 Pro Max, but is getting closer.
The early takeaway: Samsung’s latest foldables remain expensive, but Mashable’s hands-on report says they deliver something rare in the phone aisle, a device that still feels fun to open, close and show off.
This story draws on original reporting from Mashable.