On July 22, 2026, at the Galaxy Unpacked event in London, Samsung unveiled three new foldable smartphones: Galaxy Z Fold8, Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, and Galaxy Z Flip8. All three run Android 17 and One UI 9, will get up to 7 years of updates, and go on retail sale in Europe on August 5-7, 2026. Prices start at €1299 for the Z Flip8.
In brief
- Samsung brought the Ultra tier to its foldable book line for the first time - previously it only appeared in the S-series smartphones.
- European sales start in the first week of August 2026; pre-orders opened on July 22.
- European prices: Z Flip8 - from €1299, Z Fold8 - from €1999, Z Fold8 Ultra - from €2199.
- All three models run Android 17 / One UI 9, with Samsung promising up to 7 years of major updates.
- The box contains only the phone itself - charger, cable and car mount are sold separately, as usual for Samsung.
When do Galaxy Z Fold8, Fold8 Ultra and Flip8 go on sale in Europe?
Pre-orders for all three models opened right after the presentation, on July 22, 2026. Retail sales in stores and with carriers start August 5-7, 2026; the exact date depends on the country and model - in some regions the Z Flip8 is listed for August 7.
How much do the new Galaxy Z phones cost in Europe?
Below are the starting prices and key specs of all three models.
| Model | Screen (inner / outer) | Battery / charging | Main camera | Weight | OS | Price in Europe from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galaxy Z Flip8 | 6.9" / 4.1" | 4300 mAh, 25W | 50 MP | 180 g | Android 17 / One UI 9 | €1299 (256 GB) |
| Galaxy Z Fold8 | 7.6" / 5.5" | ~4660 mAh, 45W | 50 MP, dual system | 201 g | Android 17 / One UI 9 | €1999 (256 GB) |
| Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra | 8.0" / 6.5" | 5000 mAh, 45W | 200 MP, triple system | 215 g | Android 17 / One UI 9 | €2199 (256 GB) |
All three models are more expensive than last year's Z Fold7 and Z Flip7 - Samsung attributes this to rising memory prices. The 512 GB and 1 TB versions cost €200-600 more than the base configuration.
How does the Z Fold8 Ultra differ from the regular Z Fold8?
The Z Fold8 Ultra is Samsung's first foldable book phone with the Ultra name, and the difference goes beyond price. The regular Z Fold8 has a wider "passport"-style screen format (7.6" inside, 5.5" outside), designed for video and reading unfolded. The Z Fold8 Ultra keeps the familiar elongated format (8.0" inside, 6.5" outside), convenient for working with two apps side by side. Folded, the Ultra is thinner - 8.9 mm versus 9.7 mm for the regular model - but slightly heavier: 215 g versus 201 g. The Ultra's battery is larger: 5000 mAh versus 4660 mAh in the regular Fold8. The camera differs too: the Ultra has a triple system with a 200 MP main sensor and 3x telephoto, while the Z Fold8 has a dual camera with a 50 MP main module. The starting price difference is €200.
What is the Galaxy Z Flip8?
The Z Flip8 is a compact clamshell phone, the most affordable of the three new models. The inner screen is 6.9", the outer one 4.1", and it weighs 180 g. Its 4300 mAh battery charges at 25W. The main camera is 50 MP, complemented by a 12 MP ultra-wide module. For the European market the phone is built on the Exynos 2600 chip. The price starts at €1299 for the 256 GB version; the 512 GB version costs €1499.
What's new in One UI 9, and why does 7 years of updates matter?
All three phones ship with Android 17 and the One UI 9 shell. What matters most here isn't the release itself but Samsung's promise to support the devices for up to 7 major Android updates. In practice, this means a phone bought in 2026 will keep receiving new system versions and security patches until 2033. For a foldable flagship priced above €2000, that's significant: the device stays current and secure well beyond the average smartphone lifespan, which also helps sustain its resale value.
What to buy alongside your new Galaxy Z in the first week
Samsung's foldables traditionally ship without a charging brick in the box - only a cable, or nothing at all. In the first few days, owners of a new Z Fold8, Fold8 Ultra or Flip8 usually need fast charging, extra battery for travel, and a convenient mount for navigation.
Charger and cable
All three models support fast wired charging (25-45W), but you need to bring your own power adapter. The Baseus TZCCSUP-B02 fast charger (€14.60) and a 1 m USB-A/USB-C Baseus CATKLF-BG1 cable (€5.90) work well - the Flip8 and Fold8/Fold8 Ultra use the same port.
Battery for the road
The unfolded screen of the Fold8 and Fold8 Ultra drains the battery faster than a regular smartphone, especially with maps or video. For day trips, the Rivacase VA2041 power bank with 10000 mAh (€18.13) is enough. For longer trips or charging two devices at once, go for the Goobay 53934 with 20000 mAh (€35.96) or the 4smarts 456633 with 12000 mAh (€37.03).
Car and handlebar mount
An unfolded Fold8 or Fold8 Ultra is handy as a navigator if mounted at eye level. For a car, the Baseus 6953156286702 holder (€11.69) works well; for a motorcycle or bicycle, use the Baseus Motorrad Halterung handlebar mount (€22.73).
Below are quick answers to the questions most people search for about the new Galaxy Z phones.
How much does the Galaxy Z Flip8 cost in Europe?
From €1299 for the 256 GB version; the 512 GB version costs €1499.
When will the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra go on sale?
Pre-orders opened on July 22, 2026; retail sales in Europe start in the first week of August - August 5-7, depending on the country.
What is the main difference between the Z Fold8 Ultra and Z Fold8?
The Ultra is thinner when folded (8.9 mm vs 9.7 mm) but heavier (215 g vs 201 g), has a larger battery (5000 vs 4660 mAh), and a triple camera with a 200 MP sensor instead of a dual 50 MP setup. The price difference starts at €200.
How many years will Samsung update the new Galaxy Z phones?
Samsung promises up to 7 years of major Android updates and security patches - until 2033.
Does it come with a charger in the box?
No - as with previous Galaxy Z generations, the box contains only the phone and a cable; the charging adapter is sold separately.
