Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8: Release Date, Price & Specs

Two versions at the point of sale

While there have always been different upgrade paths to nab a version of the latest Z Fold phone with more storage and RAM, there has only ever been one type of Z Fold introduced with each new generation, but that might be about to change.

A prolific tipster has spotted the appearance of a Samsung phone on the GSMA product database that hints at something different than what we’re used to. The device in question has the model number ‘SM-F971U’ listed which corresponds with that of previous devices in the line-up (the Z Fold 7 was listed as SM-F966), but where things get interesting is with the so-called ‘market name’.

Luke Baker

The market name (also known as the codename) is typically listed as a Q, followed by the number of the device in question – the Z Fold 7 was Q7 as an example. This new product however is listed as H8, which indicates a deviation from the norm.

It’s worth noting that the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is already listed in the database as SM-F976, Q8, so this H8 model is likely to be a whole other thing entirely. Based on another report, the H8 phone could be a widescreen version that uses a squatter 18:9 aspect ratio when folded, and a square 18:18 ratio when unfolded.

The likelihood of this ‘Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide’ existing has continued to grow thanks to the leak of several renders showcasing what the phone is supposed to look like, and it’s surprising.

Credit: Onleaks, Android Headlines

According to the renders, the Z Fold 8 Wide will have a 5.4-inch outer display which hides a larger 7.6-inch panel within. That’s much squatter than the 8-inch interior display of the standard Galaxy Z Fold 8, and it’ll make the phone feel more like a widescreen tablet when opened. It’s also estimated to be just 4.9mm thick when unfolded, jumping up to 9.8mm when closed.

Android Headlines

This all sounds well and good so far, but the most shocking part about these renders is that the wider foldable will supposedly only have two rear-facing cameras, much like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge. Given that foldables have often struggled to compete with the camera set-ups of traditional candybar-style flagship phones, this could be a notable step backwards unless Samsung can deploy some impressive computational processing to pick up the slack.

Credit: Onleaks, Android Headlines

The reason for such a phone existing in the first place could be an attempt by Samsung to have a more direct competitor to the upcoming foldable iPhone which, if other rumours are true, will also be looking to adhere to a wider form factor than what we’re used to in the foldable space.

We have seen similar versions of this style in the past, with the original Google Pixel Fold and the Oppo Find N2 having a more square-like inner display that’s a bit easier to use one-handed, but the look has largely died out, with a taller 21:9 aspect ratio being adopted for most outer displays.

For those who are purely interested in the standard version of the Galaxy Z Fold 8, renders have also surfaced for the phone and, aside from having a slightly lighter shade of blue, you’d honestly have a hard time separating from the Fold 7 in a line-up.

Credit: Onleaks, Android Headlines

We also have rough dimensions to go with the renders, with the Z Fold 8 potentially coming in at 158.4 x 72.8 x 9mm when folded. The thickness is supposedly reduced to just 4.5mm when unfolded which, if true, would actually make the phone slightly thicker than its 4.2mm predecessor. Of course, these dimensions are subject to change, but it’s interesting to think that Samsung could be producing a thicker book-style foldable when all signs point towards the brand wanting to make the Galaxy Z Flip 8 thinner.

Credit: SamMobile

A recent look into the firmware being developed for the Fold Wide has given us a glimpse of what the new phone might be like to use. With a wider profile on the inner display, apps are laid out more like how they would be on a traditional tablet, unlike the square frame that’s currently occupied by the Z Fold 7. With the wider screen in tow, it isn’t hard to imagine this phone being better suited for streaming films and playing games.

Sources: Smartprix | ET News | Ice Universe via Weibo | Android Headlines (2) | SamMobile

A bigger battery

There’s very little known about the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 at the time of writing, but we do have a few tidbits of information that have started pouring out, most notable of which is a potential upgrade to the battery onboard.

One of the very first rumours to appear for the Z Fold 8 involved a potential battery update, with a Korean publication noting that a 5000mAh battery could be added to the Z Fold 8, which would trump the fairly small 4400mAh battery of the Z Fold 7.

This rumour is starting to gain more traction as it’s been repeated by a prolific tipster on X, noting that the wired charging speed will also get a boost, jumping from 25W to 45W. With Samsung having recently provided the S26 Ultra with a much-needed boost in charging speed, it would make sense for the brand to want to keep that momentum going on its flagship foldable.

Given that the Honor Magic V5 was able to cram in a 5820mAh cell, this feels like an essential upgrade to prevent Samsung from being completely outdone on battery life.

Sources: Dealsite | TheGalox

A less noticeable crease and better durability

The visible crease of the inner display has long been a sticking point for the Z Fold range and for anyone who’s tempted by the foldable form factor but not completely ready to take the plunge, and it seems as though Samsung is looking to rectify things for the Fold 8’s arrival.

One rumour now points towards the brand using Ultra Thin Glass (UTG) as a means of reducing the visibility of the crease by about 20%, and then utilising a laser-drilled metal support plate to ensure that the overall durability of the display isn’t negatively affected by the change.

Mattias Inghe

Of course, it’s difficult to quantify such a change until you actually get the device in your hands and compare it to what we’ve seen before, but any attempt to further hide the crease is much appreciated, not in the least because it’ll help with overall usability, especially for when apps take up the entirety of the display.

It’s worth mentioning that during CES 2026, Samsung briefly showcased a foldable display that had no visible crease whatsoever. Before you get too excited, there’s a chance that such a premium panel might be destined for the upcoming iPhone Fold as opposed to the Galaxy Z Fold 8, but it does at least make Samsung’s plans to diminish the crease more believable.

Sources: Dealsite | TheGalox

A big upgrade for just one camera

Samsung has been known for being fairly iterative over the last few smartphone generations with regard to camera upgrades, and that’s largely the same with the Z Fold 8.

From what we can gather, the newer phone will still have the same 200Mp main camera of its predecessor, as well as the familiar 3x 10Mp telephoto. What will be new for 2026 is an updated ultra-wide camera.

Luke Baker

Unlike the Z Fold 7 which had a fairly lacklustre 12Mp ultra-wide camera for such an expensive device, the Fold 8 could be packing a much improved 50Mp equivalent. Although it’s true that megapixel counts don’t automatically translate into great pictures, it is nice to see Samsung make an effort to more closely align the specs of its Z Fold range with those of the Galaxy Ultra series.

Sources: TheGalox

Finally, an affordable Z Fold

Not only are we likely to see two size options for the Galaxy Z Fold 8, it now appears as if Samsung is finally embracing the idea of a more affordable model for its flagship foldable, with all signs pointing towards the existence of a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 FE.

This tidbit comes hot off the heels of a yet unknown Samsung phone with the model name SM-F971U appearing on the IMEI database, which is very similar in its naming convention to the SM-F976U code used for the standard Galaxy Z Fold 8.

Britta O’Boyle

Given that we finally saw Samsung embrace a more affordable flip phone last year with the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE (pictured above), it only makes sense that the brand would look to give its Fold range the same treatment. This would also help Samsung to reach a mostly untapped part of the market as the only way of buying an affordable foldable right now is by opting for an older model.

Sources: Smartprix

S Pen support reintroduced

One of the biggest steps back on the Z Fold 7 was Samsung’s decision to remove S Pen support.

Even now, we don’t quite understand why Samsung did this as it made the phone lesser featured than the Galaxy S25 Ultra when it came to digital note-taking or drawing. Thankfully, it seems as though Samsung has listened to this feedback and is now looking to reinstate the feature.

Sources: Lanzuk

The next generation of Snapdragon

An upgrade that should come as no surprise to anyone but welcome nonetheless is the leap forward to using the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chipset.

Chris Martin / Foundry

We’ve already seen this CPU appear in the Samsung Galaxy S26 range and, as expected, it is a processing marvel that can zip through pretty heavy-duty tasks with ease. 

When you throw in all of the added multitasking capabilities of the Z Fold range, having that bit of extra oomph in the tank will certainly go a long way, and overall performance will no doubt be a key factor in helping to future-proof the Z Fold 8 against the impending iPhone Fold, if it does launch this year. There’s also word of a vapour chamber for enhanced cooling which should help with more intensive apps.

Source: TheGalox