Two months from now, Apple will unveil the first foldable iPhone, and every leak points to a short, wide, passport-shaped design. Samsung saw the same rumors and struck first. A squat foldable shape that disappeared years ago returns as the Galaxy Z Fold8, giving Samsung a chance to claim the category before Cupertino. Meanwhile, the familiar tall foldable moves upmarket under a new name: the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra.
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Samsung’s naming makes the lineup more confusing than necessary, so let’s clear that up. The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra is the true successor to last year’s Fold7, carrying over the tall multitasking design, triple-camera system, and $2,099.99 price tag. The standard Galaxy Z Fold8 heads in a different direction, with a wider footprint, lower weight, and a stronger focus on watching videos, reading, and gaming, starting at $1,899.99 (both prices at the July 2026 launch). If you’re torn between the two, I’ll show you which one makes more sense for your money.
