Samsung has officially unveiled the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Z Fold8 and Z Flip8 at its July 22 Unpacked in London. They arrive in stores in early August and, as rumored, with a price hike. If your priority is productivity and multitasking, the Z Fold8 is the best-balanced jump; but if you don’t need the very latest, the Z Fold7 —already discounted on Amazon— remains the smartest buy right now.
Quick pick
| If your priority is… | Get | Approx. price |
|---|---|---|
| The latest, no budget limit | Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra | from ~$2,199 |
| The best balance of the new range | Galaxy Z Fold8 | ~$1,999 |
| A compact foldable | Galaxy Z Flip8 | from ~$1,199 |
| Real savings without sacrificing much | Galaxy Z Fold7 (deal) | ~$1,499 |
Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra — the foldable with no compromises
It’s the most ambitious model Samsung has made in this category: 4.1 mm thick folded and 215 g, the largest inner display yet (8”), Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy, a 5,000 mAh battery and 45 W charging with the new dual-path architecture. If you use the foldable as a pocket computer —multitasking, split apps, S Pen— this is the one that stands out most against a conventional flagship.
- Pros: the thinnest and lightest Fold series to date; the largest inner display; top-tier performance.
- Cons: from ~$2,199 (256 GB) up to ~$2,799 in the 1 TB version — this generation’s price jump is real.
Galaxy Z Fold8 — the best balance of price and new features
If the Ultra is over budget, the Z Fold8 at ~$1,999 brings the same Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy, a 7.6” display, 16 GB of RAM and a bigger battery than its predecessor (4,800 mAh). The most talked-about change is the rear camera: it moves to a 50 MP duo (wide + ultra-wide) instead of the Fold7’s triple sensor with telephoto — Samsung prioritizes thickness and weight over optical zoom on this model.
- Pros: the same chip as the Ultra for several hundred dollars less; a bigger battery than the Fold7; a more manageable display than the Ultra’s.
- Cons: it loses the dedicated telephoto — if zoom is your priority, the Fold7 (or the Ultra) serve you better.
Galaxy Z Flip8 — the compact foldable, with the discounted Flip7 question
The Flip8 arrives with a 6.9” display, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, a 4,300 mAh battery and up to 512 GB, from ~$1,199 — about $100-180 more than the Flip7 depending on the version, due to the same memory price hike affecting the whole series. The good news for anyone who doesn’t need the newest: as soon as the Flip8 was announced, Amazon dropped the 256 GB Z Flip7 to lows near ~$900, with few units to clear stock — if the compact design appeals to you but the Flip8’s price doesn’t, there’s nearly $300 of real savings.
- Pros: Samsung’s most polished clamshell foldable yet; improved chip and battery over the Flip7.
- Cons: the discounted Flip7 offers 90% of the experience for a lot less money — it only makes sense to pay the difference if you want the latest chip and battery now.
Galaxy Z Fold7 (on sale) — the smartest buy if you’re not in a hurry
The Z Fold7 launched barely a year ago and remains a reference foldable: an 8” inner display, a triple camera with telephoto (something the standard Fold8 no longer has) and a body that was the thinnest in the series at the time. With Amazon offering it from ~$1,499 versus its ~$1,999 launch price, it’s the pick for anyone who wants multitasking and a good camera without paying the “just-released” premium.
- Pros: the telephoto the base Fold8 lost; ~$500 real savings versus its launch price; hardware that’s still top 10.
- Cons: one less year of guaranteed updates versus the Fold8; limited stock on the deal.
Quick comparison
| Model | Display | Chip | Battery | Camera | Approx. price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Z Fold8 Ultra | 8” inner · 4.1 mm folded | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy | 5,000 mAh · 45 W | Triple | from ~$2,199 |
| Z Fold8 | 7.6” inner | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy | 4,800 mAh | Dual 50 MP (no tele) | ~$1,999 |
| Z Flip8 | 6.9” inner | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | 4,300 mAh | Dual | from ~$1,199 |
| Z Fold7 (deal) | 8” inner | Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy | ~4,400 mAh | Triple with tele | ~$1,499 |
| Z Flip7 (deal) | 6.9” inner | Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy | ~4,300 mAh | Dual | ~$900 |
📌 Approximate prices verified on Amazon and Samsung.com in late July 2026; the Fold8/Flip8 models reach stores in early August and the Fold7/Flip7 deals depend on stock, so it’s worth checking the current price before buying.
Frequently asked questions
Is it worth paying more for the Z Fold8 Ultra instead of the Z Fold8? Only if thickness, weight and the slightly larger inner display are a real priority for you. In daily performance, camera and battery, the difference from the standard Fold8 is smaller than the price jump suggests.
Why did the Z Fold8 lose the telephoto the Fold7 had? Samsung chose to prioritize thickness and weight on this generation’s standard model; anyone who wants a dedicated optical zoom should look at the Fold8 Ultra or the Fold7 on sale.
Is it better to wait for the Fold8 or buy the Fold7 now? If you don’t need to have it on launch day, the discounted Fold7 gives almost the same features (including the telephoto) for several hundred dollars less. The Fold8 is justified if you prioritize the newest chip and battery or want the full year of software support ahead.
Is the discounted Z Flip7 a good buy versus the Flip8? Yes, if price matters more than having the latest-generation chip: at ~$900 it’s still a competent compact foldable, with nearly $300 in savings versus the Flip8.
Looking for more foldable options or want to compare with the rest of the high end? Check the Top 10 Android of the moment, the before-Unpacked guide or compare model by model in the comparison.
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