After the first leak about the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Flip 8 foldable smartphones appeared in April, at the end of May 2026, the first live photos of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 leaked online — Samsung’s upcoming foldable smartphone with a noticeably wider body. As it turned out, the Korean company decided to completely change the device’s concept, once again borrowing an idea from Apple. That’s why the comparison of Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Fold 7 seemed especially interesting to me.

Check out the Galaxy Z Fold 8 (left) and Z Fold 7 (right)

The Main Difference Between Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Fold 7

Real shots of the prototype appeared on May 31, 2026, on the Korean forum DCInside. An eyewitness photographed a Samsung employee who was testing a working prototype in a restaurant, using 20x optical zoom to make out details through a camouflage case. Samsung always puts these bulky plastic shells on unannounced devices to hide the design before the official release.

Even through the thick layer of plastic, the main thing is visible in the photos: the body has become noticeably wider than previous models. It now resembles the yet-to-be-announced iPhone Ultra and looks nothing like the Galaxy Z Fold 7. The outer screen when folded now looks like the display of a regular slab smartphone. And it’s worth remembering that the Fold series has been criticized for years precisely for its too-narrow outer screen: it was uncomfortable to type text and use the phone without unfolding it.

This is what the outer screen of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 (left) and Z Fold 7 (right) looks like

In addition to the new proportions, Samsung promises to solve another long-standing problem of foldable smartphones. The crease on the inner screen should become almost invisible thanks to an improved hinge mechanism that deforms the flexible panel less. Owners of previous generations widely complained about the uneven crease, so this is one of the most useful improvements if it’s confirmed.

New Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Fold 8 Ultra Smartphones

Previously, analysts expected the wide version as a niche experiment called Galaxy Z Fold Wide, in addition to the familiar narrow lineup. But data from supply chains suggests otherwise: the wide model will become the base version and will simply be called Galaxy Z Fold 8. This was reported on social network X by the well-known insider Ice Universe — this is still a rumor, not official information.

Galaxy Z Fold 8 unfolded (left) and Z Fold 7 (right)

The familiar narrow format isn’t disappearing but is moving upmarket. The successor to the Galaxy Z Fold 7 will be named Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra and will be positioned in the premium segment with advanced cameras. The base wide version will reportedly lose S Pen stylus support and get a simplified camera system to maintain a more affordable price. Incidentally, Samsung’s foldable models have been unexpectedly popular lately — recently Fold surpassed Flip in pre-orders for the first time.

Galaxy Z Fold 8 Technical Specifications

To achieve the thin and wide body, engineers had to simplify the base model. According to unconfirmed reports, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 will feature a dual 50 MP camera without a separate telephoto lens for optical zoom. The Ultra version, on the contrary, will retain a massive camera block with a 200 MP main sensor and improved optics.

  • Battery: 4800 mAh for the base version vs. 5000 mAh for Ultra
  • Charging: 45W wired charging for both models
  • Thickness when unfolded: approximately 4.1 mm according to insiders
  • Processor: likely Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5

Such thickness would make the device one of the thinnest foldable devices on the market and put it on par with Honor and Huawei models, which already produce foldable smartphones thinner than 5 mm. Software-wise, the new devices will run on the latest One UI 8.5 firmware.

When Will Galaxy Z Fold 8 Be Released

The official premiere of the entire updated series will take place at the Galaxy Unpacked presentation in London on July 22, 2026, where new wearable devices and smartwatches are also expected. Samsung hasn’t announced prices yet, but keep in mind that the Galaxy S26 may get more expensive — and the foldable lineup is unlikely to become cheaper.

This unusual foldable smartphone will be released this summer

For now, everything we know about the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is based on leaks and rumors, so details about cameras, battery, and naming should be taken with caution. Essentially, only the fact of the wider body has been confirmed through photos; everything else will be revealed on July 22.

If you’ve been put off for years by the narrow outer screen of the Fold, the new base model looks like a logical reason to take a closer look — it promises to be more comfortable when folded and thinner. If a powerful camera with a telephoto lens and the S Pen stylus are important to you, look toward the Ultra version and be prepared for the corresponding price tag. Owners of the recent Fold 7 definitely don’t need to rush: wait for the official specifications and real prices.