Samsung Tips July 22 Unpacked Event for Next-Gen Foldables

Samsung Tips July 22 Unpacked Event for Next-Gen Foldables

Samsung Electronics has officially confirmed its next Galaxy Unpacked event will take place on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, in London, U.K. The company intends to unveil new additions to its Galaxy portfolio, focusing on "intelligent capabilities" and "innovative form factors" designed for the AI era, according to a Samsung press release.

The event will be livestreamed globally via Samsung.com, the Samsung Newsroom, and the company's official YouTube channel. The broadcast begins at 2 p.m. BST, which corresponds to 9 a.m. EDT, 6 a.m. PDT, and 3 p.m. CEST.

A Shift in Foldable Design

The central theme of the event is captured in the tagline A New Shape Unfolds. While Samsung has not officially named the devices, the company has released a teaser video featuring a ticket that transforms into an opening box and the Galaxy AI logo. This animation, along with social media teasers showing a tall rectangle becoming a shorter, squatter one, suggests a significant change to the Galaxy Z Fold series.

Industry reports and rumors suggest the event will center on three foldable phones. The most anticipated is the Galaxy Z Fold 8, which is expected to feature a wider aspect ratio. This "passport-style" design may move from the Z Fold 7's 21:9 outer screen ratio to a 16:10 ratio, creating a cover display closer to a conventional smartphone. Reports indicate this model may include a 4,800mAh battery and a dual rear camera setup.

Alongside the wider model, Samsung is expected to introduce the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. This variant is rumored to retain the traditional form factor and size of the Z Fold 7 but will feature a triple rear camera setup and a 5,000mAh battery. The lineup is expected to be completed by the Galaxy Z Flip 8, which may be thinner and lighter than its predecessor, potentially utilizing an Exynos 2600 processor and supporting faster charging.

Wearables and New Hardware

Beyond smartphones, Samsung is expected to refresh its wearable lineup with the Galaxy Watch 9 and the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2. The Galaxy Watch 9 is anticipated to be similar to the Galaxy Watch 8 but with updated health and wellness features. The Watch Ultra 2 is rumored to include a Snapdragon Wear Elite processor, a brighter screen, and an 800mAh battery.

The event may also introduce new categories of hardware. Reports indicate the possible debut of the Galaxy Able or "Galaxy Glasses." These AI smart glasses, developed in partnership with Warby Parker and Gentle Monster, reportedly run Google's Android XR operating system with Gemini built-in. There are also unconfirmed tips regarding the Galaxy Buds On.

Pre-registration and Pricing

Samsung has opened pre-reservations for the new hardware. Customers who register at samsung.com/unpacked may receive a $30 pre-order credit and the opportunity to save up to $1,230 via trade-in. Some promotional offers also include a chance to win one of 10 $500 Samsung.com gift cards.

Expectations for pricing suggest an upward trend compared to the previous generation. For context, the Z Fold 7 launched at $1,999.99 and the Z Flip 7 at $1,099.99 in July 2025. Potential price increases for the 2026 models are attributed to the introduction of the Ultra variant and a global memory supply crisis.

The July 22 event precedes other major industry launches, including Google's planned introduction of the Pixel 11 series on August 12.