The “Ultra” branding has also made its way to Samsung’s foldables. What until yesterday seemed like a rumor circulating in leaker circles has now been confirmed by a new leak that clearly mentions the name. Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra — or “Z Fold 8 Wide Ultra” — as the official name for the premium version of the new foldable series. If Samsung is following the logic of the Galaxy S Ultra, then this is not just a rebrand. It is a strategic move against the upcoming iPhone.
Until now, Samsung has used “Ultra” exclusively on the Galaxy S series. Now that it Apple iPhone Fold/Ultra is in the works — expected to be announced in 2026 — Samsung seems to want to have a tier from the start that “speaks” to the same audience and with the same prestige. Smart? Yes. Necessary? Maybe.
Galaxy Unpacked is confirmed for the July 22 in London, and the new foldable series is expected to include at least three devices: Galaxy Z Fold 8, Z Fold 8 Wide (Ultra), and Z Flip 8. The race is on.
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What we know now about the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra
The leak comes from reliable tipsters and says that Samsung will use the “Ultra” suffix for the premium wide-body version of the Fold 8 — what we’ve been calling the “Z Fold 8 Wide” so far. This is a change that’s not just about marketing: if the “Ultra” category is brought to foldables, then we’re looking at a different hardware tier, not just a bigger screen.
According to information circulating since January 2026, Samsung was considering three different model numbers for this year's foldable lineup — including one with the codename H8 that doesn't match any previous Fold or Flip. This H8, sources say, could be the Fold 8 Ultra/Wide.
In practice, we've noticed that whenever Samsung introduces a new naming tier, it follows with a specs upgrade to justify it. The Galaxy S Ultra was never just marketing — it was S Pen-level camera, bigger battery, separate chassis. If the same pattern applies here, the Fold 8 Ultra should be substantially different from the basic Fold 8.
Wide or Ultra? The difference that matters
Until now, the device was referred to as the “Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide” — a name that simply implied a different aspect ratio. “Ultra” completely changes the frame. Now we’re talking about a device that will stand in a hierarchical position. above than the regular Fold 8, with premium specs that justify a premium price.
This means in practice:
- Larger internal screen (estimated 8.2″ in a closer to square shape)
- Possibly S Pen support (something the regular Fold 8 seems to be missing)
- Different camera setup — possibly with improved telephoto
- Premium materials, possibly titanium frame instead of aluminum
Technoid Take: The “Wide” naming has always been a bit awkward — what does “wide” mean to someone who hasn’t heard of foldables? “Ultra” immediately gives context: this is the top tier. And in a market where “Ultra” has built brand loyalty among millions of Galaxy S users, the naming transfer has practical value beyond specs.
The specs being released — and what to expect
For the base Galaxy Z Fold 8, most sources agree on a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, 200MP main camera with OIS, a 5.000mAh battery, and 45W wired/20W wireless (Qi 2.2) charging. The internal display is expected to be 8″ QHD+ with dual UTG — that new dual ultra-thin glass structure that Samsung Display presented at CES 2026 and promises significantly less crease. The starting price in the US is expected to be $1,999.
For the Fold 8 Ultra, leaks are more limited, but tier logic dictates that we would at least see a different aspect ratio (wider internal screen, closer to 4:3), improved telephoto zoom perhaps 5x instead of 3x, and possibly a titanium frame. One UI 9 based on Android 17 and 7 years of updates apply to both versions.
💡 Pro-Type: If you're thinking about buying a foldable this year and you care about the S Pen, wait Check out the official specs of the Fold 8 Ultra before you decide. Rumor has it that the regular Fold 8 won't have an S Pen slot — but the Ultra might bring it back.
See the detailed camera specs of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and the new colors that leaked
The Galaxy Ultra vs. the upcoming iPhone
This is the elephant in the room. Apple is working on its own foldable — informally called the “iPhone Fold” or “iPhone Ultra” — and everyone in Seoul knows it. Samsung can’t let a phone that costs probably $2,500+ launch as “the premium foldable” without something already positioned in the same tier.
The “Ultra” branding delivers exactly that: a category that the buyer recognizes as premium without needing explanation. If the iPhone Fold sells on the logic of “best iPhone ever, now foldable,” Samsung wants to respond with “best Galaxy ever, and has 4 more years of experience in foldables.”
If you look at it from our perspective, Samsung has a real advantage here: experience. Apple is getting into foldables from scratch. Samsung already has 8 generations of Folds, knows where the hinges break, what users want in a cover screen, how One UI is optimized for folded and unfolded states. That's not replicated with a launch event.
(I.e. Alternative: If you're not interested in the Samsung ecosystem and are looking for a premium foldable experience, the Huawei Mate X6 remains competitive in design and price — especially if you don't mind the lack of Google services. The OnePlus Open 2 It is also an option for those who want OxygenOS and a more open Android.
The problems that Ultra branding does not solve
The “Ultra” naming is powerful marketing, but it doesn’t work magic. There are structural problems with foldables that remain open:
First, the created. Even with Samsung Display’s dual UTG, the crease doesn’t disappear — it just becomes less visible. No amount of marketing claims can change this physical reality today. Competitor Huawei has come much closer to “crease-free” with a different engineering approach.
Second, the weight and thicknessFoldables remain heavier and thicker than regular flagships. The Fold 7 weighed 236g and folded to 12.1mm — respectable, but noticeably different from a Galaxy S26 Ultra. If you hold the phone in one hand for hours, you feel it.
⚠️ Reality check: The price of the Fold 8 Ultra in Europe will definitely fall above €2,000 — probably closer to €2,199–€2,399 depending on taxes. This means that we are talking about a category that concerns a very specific audience in Greece: professionals who need multitasking, early adopters, and some who simply want the best. It is not mass market — nor does it pretend to be.
Read more about the new Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Ultra foldable series
Greece: price, availability and who buys it
If the Galaxy Unpacked takes place on July 22, in Greece we expect a launch in early August — just like it happened with the Fold 7 last year. In Greece, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 was launched with a starting price of €1,899 for the 256GB version, while the 512GB reached €2,049.
For the Fold 8 Ultra, if we translate the $1,999 US RRP with European taxes and the typical markup of Greek retailers, a possible starting price of €2,099–€2,299 for the Ultra version. A number that puts the device in the same boat as many laptops.
If you test it in an urban area of Athens with COSMOTE 5G SA or Vodafone 5G, the Fold 8 Ultra will fully utilize Wi-Fi 7 and 5G Standalone connectivity — something that the latest network extensions in central Athens are starting to support in principle. For streaming, multitasking, or DeX use, the foldable format has a real use case for the professional who carries a phone instead of a tablet.
Details for the upcoming Galaxy Unpacked on July 22
FAQ
What is the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra and how is it different from the regular Fold 8?
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is the premium, wide-body version of the Fold 8 that Samsung is also reportedly calling the “Fold 8 Wide Ultra.” The “Ultra” naming suggests a separate hardware tier — likely a larger internal display with a different aspect ratio (closer to square), a better camera, possibly a titanium frame, and S Pen support that the regular Fold 8 seems to be missing. It’s not just a rebrand of the Fold 8 with a larger screen.
When is the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra being announced?
Samsung Galaxy Unpacked is confirmed for July 22, 2026 in London. The official presentation of the Fold 8, Fold 8 Ultra (or Wide), Flip 8 and Galaxy Watch 9 is expected there. Retail availability is expected in the first or second week of August, with pre-orders starting immediately after Unpacked.
Will the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra have an S Pen?
The leaks are mixed. The regular Fold 8 doesn't appear to have an S Pen slot — the same direction as the Fold 7, which required a separate case. The Fold 8 Ultra, however, as an "Ultra" device that follows the Galaxy S Ultra's logic, is likely to return the built-in S Pen. Until the official Unpacked, there's no confirmation.
What is the expected price in Greece?
For the regular Fold 8, the US price is expected to be $1,999. Based on historical European pricing rules (taxes + markup), we expect around €1,999–€2,099 for the Fold 8. The Ultra will likely cost €2,199–€2,399. These numbers are estimates — the official price for Greece will be announced at Unpacked.
Which chipset will the Fold 8 Ultra have?
Expect Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy — the same chipset as the base Fold 8. What will likely differ is the RAM: 16GB instead of 12GB, and likely exclusively 512GB/1TB storage with no base 256GB option. Samsung hasn't confirmed anything officially yet.
Is it worth buying a foldable in 2026 or should I wait?
If you already use a foldable or have a clear use case (multitasking, DeX, note-taking with S Pen), the Fold 8 is the mature choice this year. If you’re just looking for a “good flagship,” a Galaxy S26 Ultra or iPhone 18 Pro Max costs significantly less and doesn’t have the limitations of the foldable form factor. If you’re interested in Apple’s iPhone Fold/Ultra, it’s worth waiting until September to compare.
How does it compare to the Huawei Mate X6 and OnePlus Open?
The Huawei Mate X6 has the best crease performance on the market and impressive Leica cameras, but lacks Google services — a serious limitation for users outside of China. The OnePlus Open offers a great OxygenOS experience at a more affordable price (~€1,499), but falls short in camera performance and ecosystem integration. For users already in the Samsung/Google ecosystem, the Fold 8 Ultra remains the most complete option.
The real bet isn’t whether the Fold 8 Ultra will sell well — it will, because the “Ultra” brand already has a strong fan base. The real question is whether Samsung will be able to hold onto that audience when the iPhone Ultra arrives. If the Fold 8 Ultra has significantly different specs than the regular Fold 8, Samsung will have already defined the space. If it’s mostly a naming exercise, the iPhone Ultra will look right at it.
