The company unveiled an expanded foldable lineup led by the new Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, alongside the Galaxy Z Flip 8, Galaxy Watch 9, Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, new Galaxy AI capabilities, and an early preview of Samsung’s upcoming AI smart glasses developed with Google and eyewear partners.

Rather than focusing on a single flagship device, Samsung presented a broader strategy that combines redesigned hardware, AI-powered software, and connected wearable experiences.

The biggest announcement at Galaxy Unpacked 2026 was Samsung’s decision to split the Fold lineup into two clearly different products.

Instead of offering one premium foldable, Samsung now positions the Galaxy Z Fold 8 as a lighter, wider device optimized for everyday usability, while the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra continues the traditional flagship Fold experience with upgraded display technology, cameras, and battery capacity.

This change gives buyers two different approaches to a book-style foldable instead of a single one-size-fits-all model.

The new Galaxy Z Fold 8 represents Samsung’s most significant hardware redesign of the Fold series in years.

Its wider cover display changes how the device feels during everyday use. Across multiple early hands-on demonstrations, reviewers consistently highlighted that typing feels more natural, web pages require less horizontal scrolling, and documents are easier to read without opening the device.

When unfolded, the larger 4:3 inner display also reduces black bars during many productivity tasks while providing more usable screen space for multitasking.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 includes:

• 5.5-inch cover display • 10:16 cover display aspect ratio • 7.6-inch inner display • 4:3 main display • Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy • 4,800 mAh battery • 45 W wired charging • 50 MP main camera • 50 MP ultrawide camera with autofocus

One of the most frequently mentioned improvements is weight. At 201 g, Samsung describes the Fold 8 as its lightest Galaxy Z Fold yet, and early hands-on reviewers said it feels noticeably lighter than previous Fold models, making it easier to carry and more comfortable to use when folded.

Early hands-on impressions also praised the low-reflection display finish, brighter panel, and refined hinge feel, all of which contribute to a more polished daily experience.

At the same time, several reviewers pointed out that the standard Fold 8 does not include a dedicated telephoto camera, and some expressed concerns that heavy gaming performance may be limited by its cooling design.

Rather than introducing a completely different design, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra builds on Samsung’s traditional Fold formula with improvements across several key areas.

The Ultra model uses Samsung’s Flex Titanium display structure, which Samsung says helps reduce crease visibility over time while making the device feel smoother to unfold. Multiple early hands-on reviewers also noted improvements in outdoor visibility thanks to the low-reflection display finish and a peak brightness of up to 3,000 nits.

Key specifications include:

• Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy • 5,000 mAh battery • 45 W wired charging • 200 MP main camera • 10 MP telephoto camera • 50 MP ultrawide camera • Flex Titanium display structure • Low-reflection display finish • Improved crease reduction

Across early hands-on impressions, reviewers generally agreed that the Ultra feels like a more polished evolution of Samsung’s premium foldable rather than a complete redesign.

However, several reviewers questioned the “Ultra” branding because the device does not appear to restore integrated S Pen support, while others felt some camera capabilities remain behind Samsung’s Galaxy S Ultra smartphones.

The Galaxy Z Flip 8 focuses primarily on software and cover-screen usability rather than a dramatic hardware redesign.

Samsung redesigned the FlexWindow experience, bringing apps, insights, and actions closer to the cover display. New camera features such as FlipShot and an enhanced Mirror view also expand the usability of the outer screen.

Other highlights include:

• 180 g weight • Slimmer 6.1 mm unfolded body • Exynos 2600 processor • 4,300 mAh battery • Native FlexWindow app and action support • FlipShot • Enhanced Mirror view

Early hands-on reviewers generally described the Flip 8 as a refinement of an already mature design, although some noted the absence of Samsung’s new low-reflection display finish and viewed the hardware changes as relatively modest compared with the Fold lineup.

Samsung also introduced the Galaxy Watch 9 with a strong focus on comfort, responsiveness, and health tracking.

Early demonstrations highlighted smoother system performance, a brighter display, softer watch bands, and several new wellness features designed to provide more personalized guidance throughout the day.

New health capabilities include:

• Fitness Index • Vitals monitoring • Heart Health Score • Personalized fitness and recovery guidance

Early hands-on reviewers also noted improvements in overall wearing comfort thanks to redesigned bands and a lighter feel during extended use.

For outdoor users, Samsung announced the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 with a brighter display, larger battery, and additional adventure-focused features.

Highlights include:

• Up to 5,000-nit display brightness • 800 mAh battery • Trail Run guidance • Nutrition Alert hydration guidance • Dive tracking support • Mares diving integration

The combination of improved endurance and specialized outdoor software positions the Watch Ultra 2 as Samsung’s most capable wearable for hiking, diving, and endurance sports.

Artificial intelligence was another major focus throughout Galaxy Unpacked 2026.

Samsung demonstrated several new Galaxy AI experiences designed to simplify everyday tasks and reduce the need to switch between applications.

My FanCam uses AI to identify and continuously track a selected person within a video, automatically generating dedicated vertical or horizontal clips.

Gemini Intelligence integration goes deeper as well, allowing users to complete connected multi-step tasks across supported apps using natural-language requests. Instead of manually opening several apps, Gemini can coordinate supported services in the background to complete tasks more efficiently.

Updated Now Brief experiences introduce more context-aware insights and next-step suggestions, helping users continue tasks, create reminders, or launch recommended actions from glanceable interfaces such as the FlexWindow and notification surfaces.

Beyond smartphones and wearables, Samsung offered an early look at its upcoming AI smart glasses.

Developed in collaboration with Google alongside eyewear brands Gentle Monster and Warby Parker, the preview emphasized everyday wearability rather than a futuristic appearance.

Samsung showed multiple frame styles and positioned the glasses as a Galaxy ecosystem companion, with additional technical details still limited in the official preview. Samsung says more information will follow closer to launch.

While Samsung did not reveal a complete consumer specification sheet, the preview suggests the company intends to expand Galaxy AI beyond phones and watches into future wearable devices.

Although reviewers focused on different products, several themes appeared consistently across multiple early hands-on videos.

The new Galaxy Z Fold 8 received the strongest praise for its wider aspect ratio, lighter weight, and improved everyday usability. The Fold 8 Ultra impressed reviewers with its reduced display crease, brighter low-reflection screen, and smoother unfolding feel. Meanwhile, Galaxy AI demonstrations and Samsung’s AI smart glasses attracted significant attention as indicators of the company’s broader ecosystem strategy.

Common criticisms were also consistent. Reviewers frequently mentioned the absence of a telephoto camera on the Fold 8, questioned the lack of integrated S Pen support on the Fold 8 Ultra, and described the Galaxy Z Flip 8 as a relatively incremental update.

Galaxy Unpacked 2026 was about more than introducing new hardware.

Samsung used the event to redefine its foldable strategy, expand Galaxy AI across more devices, strengthen its wearable lineup, and preview the next step toward AI-powered smart glasses.

Among all the announcements, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 lineup represents the company’s most significant shift, while the continued expansion of Galaxy AI suggests Samsung is increasingly positioning software and connected experiences alongside hardware innovation.

Sizometry will publish separate detailed coverage of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, Galaxy Z Flip 8, Galaxy Watch 9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, and Samsung’s smart glasses and Galaxy AI features.