Samsung Eyes July 22 Unpacked Launch for Z Fold 8, XR Glasses

Q: With its wider screen, is the Galaxy Z Fold 8 finally a true tablet replacement, or just an expensive answer to Apple's foldable?

The wider Galaxy Z Fold 8 looks closer than any Samsung foldable yet to being a real small-tablet substitute, but it is not automatically a full tablet replacement for most buyers. The strongest case is the rumored redesign itself. Leaks point to a wider, more iPad-like inner screen around 7.6 to 7.8 inches with a 4:3-style aspect ratio, which is better for video, reading, split-screen apps and typing than Samsung’s older, narrower Fold designs. Reports also suggest a thinner body, lighter weight and a less visible crease, all of which would make it more practical as a device people actually use like a mini tablet every day. But the limits are still substantial. Even with a wider panel, this is still a sub-8-inch foldable, not a full-size tablet. Questions remain over battery life, long-term hinge and screen durability, repair costs and whether Samsung’s software will fully exploit the larger canvas. Those issues matter more for a device expected to replace both a phone and a tablet at once. Price is another obstacle: with foldables already near the $2,000 mark and component costs rising, the Fold 8 line is likely to stay firmly premium. So the answer is both. The wider Fold 8 appears to be Samsung’s most credible tablet-style foldable yet, especially for media and multitasking. At the same time, its shape, timing and likely pricing strongly suggest it is also a preemptive, expensive response to Apple’s expected foldable iPhone.

3 articles · Updated · Engadget · Jun 26

July 22 in London is emerging as the likely date and venue for Samsung’s next Galaxy Unpacked, where the company is expected to center the event on new foldables, watches and Android XR glasses.
Two Galaxy Z Fold 8 variants are rumored: a wider model with a 7.8-inch inner screen and 5.4-inch outer display, and an Ultra version with a 200-megapixel camera, 45W charging and a less visible crease.
Galaxy Z Flip 8 leaks point to a lighter 180g design, a redesigned hinge and a return to Snapdragon, while Galaxy Watch 9 and Watch Ultra 2 appear headed for mostly incremental hardware and health-feature updates.
Android XR glasses could provide the event’s biggest surprise after Samsung and Google teased them at I/O 2026; the first audio-focused model is still expected this fall, with a display-equipped version targeted for 2027.