Samsung's "New Shape" Unfolds: What to Expect at Galaxy Unpacked 2026

The tagline, "A New Shape Unfolds", isn't marketing fluff . After seven generations of refining the book-style Fold, Samsung is finally changing the formula. Leaks and teasers point to a wider, shorter Fold that actually looks usable when it's closed .

The Main Event: A Wider Fold

If you've ever used a Galaxy Z Fold, you know the feeling: the cover screen is tall and narrow, and typing on it feels cramped . Samsung seems to have heard that feedback. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is expected to adopt a 4:3 aspect ratio, similar to a passport or a small notebook, with a 7.6-inch inner display and a 5.5-inch cover screen . It should feel like a normal phone when closed and a proper tablet when open.

Three Foldables, One Event

Samsung is also expanding its lineup. The company is expected to launch:

• Galaxy Z Fold 8: The new wider design, expected to be the main model .

• Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra: A more traditional, taller design, positioned as the premium option with a 50MP ultrawide camera and S Pen support .

• Galaxy Z Flip 8: A thinner and lighter clamshell model, building on the Flip's popularity .

The reasoning seems clear: offer a wider choice. Buyers who want the new form factor can go for the standard Fold. Those who prefer the traditional tall design, along with better cameras and S Pen support, can opt for the Ultra .

Behind the Screen: Flex Titanium

One of the most persistent complaints about foldables has been the visible crease. Samsung is introducing a new display technology called Flex Titanium to address this . The new structure uses a titanium-alloy film and a titanium plate with micro-patterned holes, making the display both thinner and more durable. The goal is to make the crease less noticeable while keeping the phone slim . Real-world tests reportedly show a significant improvement .

AI Integration

The event will also highlight Galaxy AI, but with a notable shift in approach. Samsung is emphasizing personal and private AI, processing more data on the device rather than in the cloud . This could improve performance, privacy, and response times. The AI features should be more integrated into daily use .

New Watches, Glasses, and More

The event is also expected to include:

• Galaxy Watch 9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2: The Watch Ultra 2 may feature a brighter display, larger battery, and 5G support .

• Galaxy Glasses: Samsung's first smart glasses, developed with Google and built on Android XR . A release date is still unclear .

Pricing and Availability

One important thing to note: prices are expected to go up. Component costs, particularly for memory, have risen sharply, making foldables more expensive to produce . The Fold 8 is likely to start around €1,999, while the Ultra could start at €2,199 .

The Bigger Picture

Samsung is moving quickly, possibly to stay ahead of Apple, which is rumored to be working on its first foldable iPhone . By holding the event in London, Samsung is signaling a more aggressive push into the European premium market .

The summer Unpacked is usually about refinements. This time, it's about a significant change in direction. All of this points to one of the more interesting Unpacked events in years