During Samsung's summer Galaxy Unpacked keynote, the company revealed the new series of foldables:
- Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra
- Galaxy Z Fold8
- Galaxy Z Flip8
One of the more exciting devices is the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, the successor to last year's Galaxy Z Fold7, thanks to an improved camera array, a longer-lasting battery, and new features.
Entering the fray this year is the remodelled Galaxy Z Fold8, a passport-sized new foldable. Samsung has positioned the Galaxy Z Fold8 as a content consumption machine, designed for one-handed use while watching Netflix, YouTube, and TikTok. Meanwhile, the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra retains the traditional Fold's design and incorporates hardware upgrades and refinements taken directly from this year's Galaxy S26 Ultra. The Galaxy Z Flip8, on the other hand, underwhelms in terms of integral upgrades.
All three devices are launching in Canada, with preorders now available. With some hands-on time with each device, let's take a look at the standout features and pricing for each.
Galaxy Z Fold8 and Z Flip8 release dates
The Galaxy Z Fold8 series and Galaxy Z Flip8 are available for pre-order, starting today. All three phones begin shipping in Canada on August 7th.
Galaxy Z Fold8 and Galaxy Z Flip8 pricing
Samsung's pricing across the Galaxy Z Fold8 and Galaxy Z Flip8 series has seen a bit of a bump since last year. The price of the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra has increased by around $200 when compared to its predecessor. The Galaxy Z Flip8 has a $100 price increase in Canada.
Here are the starting prices of the Galaxy Z Fold8 and Galaxy Z Flip8 series:
- Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra: From $2,699
- Galaxy Z Fold8: From $2,399
- Galaxy Z Flip8: From $1,549
The above breakdown covers the starting prices per model with the lowest storage option. This year, Samsung is once again offering multiple SKUs with increases in storage capacity. As expected, pricing is then adjusted based on higher storage. Here's a thorough breakdown of each model.
Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold8, and Galaxy Z Flip8 pricing
| Storage | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra | 256GB 512GB 1TB |
$2,699 $2,979 $3,539 |
|
| Galaxy Z Fold8 | 256GB 512GB 1TB |
$2,399 $2,679 $3,239 |
|
| Galaxy Z Flip8 | 256GB 512GB |
$1,549 $1,829 |
Galaxy Z Fold8 and Galaxy Z Flip8 features
Samsung's latest foldable lineup isn't reinventing the category; it looks to be refining it. The new Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold8, and Galaxy Z Flip8 all arrive with:
- Slimmer, lighter designs
- Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processors
- Deeper integration of Galaxy AI
Across the lineup, Samsung is doubling down on multitasking, content creation, and AI-powered productivity. While each device targets a different audience, they share several upgrades, including brighter displays, improved camera software, longer battery life, and new Galaxy AI features designed to streamline everyday tasks.
The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, for instance, is designed for high-end multitasking, photography, and content creation. The base Galaxy Z Fold8 is introduced as a pocket-sized content machine, designed for on-the-go viewing of TikToks or reading ebooks. Finally, the Galaxy Z Flip8 is an entry-level, compact content-creation device.
Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra is Samsung's thinnest foldable
The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra is Samsung's flagship foldable, combining a slimmer design with the company's most advanced camera system. The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra features an 8-inch 120Hz AMOLED inner display that reaches 3,000-nit peak brightness, paired with a 6.5-inch FHD+ cover display.
Image: Steve Vegvari | WhistleOut
At just 4.1mm unfolded, the Fold8 Ultra is 27% thinner than the Fold 6 while weighing 215g, making it 11% lighter. Samsung also redesigned the hinge with an easier-to-open edge, making one-handed unfolding feel more natural. Samsung continues to position the Fold as a productivity powerhouse. Users can run up to three apps simultaneously, drag and drop content between windows, and quickly share information across apps.
The Fold8 Ultra adopts the same camera found on this year's Galaxy S26 Ultra, offering:
- 200MP wide (f/1.7)
- 50MP ultra-wide (f/2.2)
- 10MP telephoto (f/2.4)
- 10MP front cameras
Samsung is pairing its camera array with ProVisual Engine and Nightography video options. Making the leap from the Galaxy S26 Ultra is Samsung's Super Steady with Horizontal Lock features. This way, content creators can maintain a level video during handheld recording, even if the device is moved along the horizontal axis.
Galaxy Z Fold8 focuses on portability
Rather than chasing premium camera hardware, the Galaxy Z Fold8 emphasizes portability. Samsung says it's the world's lightest foldable at 201g, featuring a pocket-friendly design built around media consumption, browsing, and reading.
Image: Steve Vegvari | WhistleOut
While holding it in my hands, the Galaxy Z Fold8 feels comfortable in my hand. The Galaxy Z Fold8 sports a 7.6-inch unfolded display with a 4:3 aspect ratio, alongside a 5.5-inch cover display. Like the Ultra, the device offers 3,000 nits of brightness, making it easier to view outdoors.
Samsung specifically highlights apps and videos like YouTube Shorts, TikTok, and Instagram Reels, with the larger unfolded display providing more room for scrolling and editing content. I can already see myself using the device to watch content on my next flight, propping it up on my tray table, while sipping on a Diet Coke.
Although the Galaxy Z Fold8 doesn't offer a robust camera array, it does include:
- 50MP wide camera
- 50MP ultra-wide camera
- 10MP front cameras
Samsung is throwing in a few creator tools like Dual Recording. With this, the Galaxy Z Fold8 allows users to film themselves and their subject simultaneously for vlogs. It seems like an expansive version of Apple's Dual Capture feature on iPhone 17. The device also features Horizontal Lock for smoother handheld video. One of the most novel new features is a video auto-framing tool called My FanCam. Using this, you can take or record any video with the device and edit it to automatically focus on a particular subject.
Galaxy Z Flip8 gets a larger FlexWindow
Samsung's clamshell Galaxy Z Flip8 is the least exciting device out of this year's series of foldables. The biggest visual change comes from the expanded 4.1-inch FlexWindow, giving users more room to interact with widgets, notifications, and Galaxy AI without opening the phone.
Image: Steve Vegvari | WhistleOut
The Galaxy Z Flip8 is now 6.1mm thick, 12% thinner than the previous generation, while weighing 180g. Samsung also redesigned the hinge to make opening the phone easier. Inside sits a 6.9-inch main display.
The Flip8 retains its creator-first approach with:
- 50MP wide camera
- 12MP ultra-wide camera
- 10MP front cameras
On the software side, Galaxy Z Flip8 boasts its Camcorder Grip mode. As the name suggests, you can hold the device like a camcorder, with its display propped out to capture a moment. With the Super Steady feature, Galaxy Z Flip8 smooths out the video following its recording. These features make the Flip particularly appealing for handheld video, selfies, and tripod-free content creation.
Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 powers the entire lineup
All three foldables are powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, paired with 12GB of RAM on standard storage models and 16GB on 1TB configurations. Samsung offers storage options including 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB.
Battery capacities vary by device. The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra supports a welcome upgrade to a 5,000mAh cell, with up to 27 hours of video playback. This is up from the Galaxy Z Fold 7's 4,200mAh battery. The company claims the device can reach a 65% charge in 30 minutes.
Galaxy Z Fold8 offers a 4,800mAh battery with up to 26 hours of video playback. As a video-first device, I'm happy with the battery capacity on paper. I'd like to see how well it performs under practical use cases, however. Galaxy Z Flip8 includes a 4,300mAh battery, unchanged from last year.
Galaxy AI becomes smarter across foldables
Samsung continues to expand Galaxy AI beyond simple text generation, introducing more experiences designed for multitasking.
Now Nudge understands what's happening across multiple apps
One of the standout additions is an upgraded Now Nudge that works across multiple windows on the Fold series. For example, if friends are discussing dinner plans in one messaging app, Now Nudge can automatically recommend nearby restaurants in another window, pulling information from Google Search, Maps, Calendar, and Samsung apps without requiring users to manually search. This contextual awareness helps tie together conversations, appointments, and navigation into a single workflow.
Photo Assist and Video Auto Reframing
Samsung is also expanding creator-focused AI tools. Photo Assist now accepts text or voice prompts for Generative Edit, making it easier to remove distractions or alter images with natural language. Meanwhile, Video Auto Reframing can intelligently crop footage to keep subjects centred during playback.
Image: Steve Vegvari | WhistleOut
On the Fold8, Samsung also introduces My FanCam, an AI editing tool that automatically tracks and reframes subjects after recording. Using Galaxy AI, you can determine the main subject in a video. My FanCam then crops and scales the video to focus entirely on that subject, saving you time and effort during editing. This is particularly useful for sports, concerts, or creators filming moving subjects.
FlexWindow becomes more useful on Flip8
The Flip8 gains Now Brief Home directly on the FlexWindow, surfacing personalized updates such as calendar events, reminders, weather, and suggested routes without opening the phone.
Samsung also introduces Semantic Search, allowing users to search across apps using natural language to recall saved information, messages, notes, or other content stored on the device.
Easier switching from iPhone
Samsung is also lowering the barrier for iPhone users moving to Galaxy. The updated Smart Switch process lets users scan a QR code displayed on their iPhone to wirelessly transfer content, including messages, notes, voice recordings, Wi-Fi credentials, passwords, passkeys, eSIM information, and even home screen layouts.
Previously, users could only seamlessly transfer contacts, photos, music, videos, and calendar items. The expanded migration process aims to make switching from an iPhone to a Galaxy device significantly easier without losing important data in the process.
A year of refinement for Samsung foldables
Rather than chasing dramatic hardware changes, Samsung's 2026 foldable lineup focuses on meaningful refinement. This design results in some genuine excitement across the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra and the new Galaxy Z Fold8.
The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra pushes productivity and premium photography further. The Fold8 becomes lighter and easier to carry. Combined with Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, brighter displays, improved creator tools, and deeper Galaxy AI integration, Samsung's latest foldables continue to blur the line between smartphones, tablets, and AI-powered personal assistants. While the Flip8 improves on one of the category's best compact designs with a larger FlexWindow and smarter AI features, it ultimately doesn't warrant an immediate upgrade.
Galaxy Z Fold8 and Z Flip8 plans and providers
Rogers, Bell, and Telus are all expected to offer pre-order deals for the Galaxy Z Fold8 and Z Flip8 lineup. Here's a breakdown of the major benefits you can expect each provider to offer.
Major carriers
Rogers Galaxy Z Fold8 and Z Flip8 plans
- Strongest 4G LTE coverage
- Canada-wide talk and text
Rogers is one of Canada’s leading wireless carriers, offering coast-to-coast 4G LTE coverage and expanding 5G service in major cities. The carrier offers plans with Canada-wide talk and text, along with data buckets starting at 100GB per month. You can also bundle Rogers wireless with home internet to reduce your monthly costs. This makes Rogers a strong option if you’re planning to upgrade to the Galaxy Z Fold8 and Z Flip8 this year.
Bell Galaxy Z Fold8 and Z Flip8 plans
- Stable, cross-country 5G network
- Wireless and internet bundles available
Bell provides extensive mobile coverage across Canada, reaching about 99% of the population. The carrier offers a wide range of unlimited data plans, which are well-suited for powering your Galaxy Z Fold8 and Z Flip8. Some Bell plans also include talk and text perks for the U.S. and international destinations.
Bell is often considered to have Canada’s largest mobile network, with 5G+ coverage available in more areas than many competitors.
Telus Galaxy Z Fold8 and Z Flip8+ plans
- Strongest 5G coverage in Canada
- Netflix, Disney+ and Prime Video bundled prices
Telus is widely regarded as having one of the best LTE networks in Canada, offering a strong balance of coverage and performance among national carriers. Telus shares towers with Bell but is known for strong download speeds, which can benefit Galaxy Z Fold8 and Z Flip8 users focused on productivity and streaming.
You’ll find a variety of Telus plans to fit different needs, and the carrier also offers bundles with streaming services, which can help reduce the cost of subscriptions like Disney+ or Prime Video.
MVNO carriers
MVNO carriers in Canada don’t always offer the same device discounts as major carriers, but they can be a great way to save on your monthly phone bill. In many cases, MVNOs provide similar coverage to Rogers, Bell, and Telus, but at lower monthly prices—often saving $15 or more per month.
If you’re considering switching, it’s worth checking out how to move carriers while keeping your phone number. Some of the most popular MVNO plans are listed below.
|
Freedom Mobile
$40 5G+ Unlimited 70GB CA-US plan
$40.00/mth
(after Digital Discount)
|
|
Freedom Mobile
$45 5G+ Unlimited 100GB CA-US plan
$45.00/mth
(after Digital Discount)
|
|
Freedom Mobile
$50 5G+ Unlimited 150GB CA-US plan
$50.00/mth
(after Digital Discount)
|
FAQs
What is the difference between the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra and Galaxy Z Fold8?
The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra is Samsung's premium foldable, featuring a 200MP camera system borrowed from the Galaxy S26 Ultra, a larger 5,000mAh battery, and enhanced multitasking features. The Galaxy Z Fold8 is smaller, lighter, and designed for portability, making it a better choice for reading, streaming, and everyday one-handed use.
Is the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra worth upgrading to?
Ultimately, it depends on your needs. If you're using a Galaxy Z Fold6 or older device, the Fold8 Ultra offers meaningful improvements, including a thinner design, brighter display, larger battery, upgraded cameras, and expanded Galaxy AI features. Galaxy Z Fold7 owners may find the changes more iterative unless the improved camera system and battery life are priorities.
Which Galaxy Z Fold8 model has the best camera?
The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra has the strongest camera system in Samsung's foldable lineup.
When does the Galaxy Z Fold8 release in Canada?
Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold8 lineup and Galaxy Z Flip8 are available for preorder now in Canada. General availability begins on August 7, with devices shipping through Samsung and participating wireless carriers.
Steve Vegvari
Staff Writer
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