What happened?
Samsung has unveiled its biggest foldable lineup to date at Galaxy Unpacked 2026 in London, introducing the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold8, Galaxy Z Flip8, its first Intelligent Eyewear and the Galaxy Watch9 series.
Who is affected?
Consumers worldwide, including UAE customers, can now pre-order the latest Galaxy devices, with retail availability beginning on August 7.
Why does it matter?
The launch marks Samsung’s biggest step yet towards creating a connected Galaxy AI ecosystem, bringing artificial intelligence across smartphones, wearables and smart glasses.
Samsung has officially introduced its most ambitious Galaxy lineup yet, unveiling the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold8, Galaxy Z Flip8, Galaxy Watch9 series, Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and its first-ever Intelligent Eyewear during Galaxy Unpacked 2026 in London. The announcement expands Samsung’s AI strategy beyond smartphones, bringing Galaxy AI into wearables and smart glasses. For UAE customers, pre-orders opened immediately after the launch, giving residents early access to Samsung’s latest foldable devices and connected ecosystem.
Samsung launches its first Intelligent Eyewear powered by Galaxy AI
One of the biggest announcements from Galaxy Unpacked was Samsung’s Intelligent Eyewear, marking the company’s entry into AI-powered smart glasses.
Developed in collaboration with Google, Gentle Monster and Warby Parker, the eyewear is powered by Gemini AI and is designed to work alongside Galaxy smartphones.
According to Samsung, the glasses support hands-free features such as:
- Live language translation
- Navigation assistance
- Message summaries
- Visual assistance
- Point-of-view video recording
Unlike traditional smart glasses, Samsung is positioning Intelligent Eyewear as an everyday AI companion rather than just a camera accessory. The device is expected to launch later this year.
Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra headlines Samsung’s biggest foldable lineup
Samsung has also introduced the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, the company’s first Ultra-branded foldable smartphone.
The flagship features:
- 8-inch main display
- 200MP rear camera
- New Flex Titanium design
- Slimmer and lighter body
- Productivity-focused multitasking features
- Galaxy AI integration throughout the user experience
Alongside the Ultra model, Samsung launched the Galaxy Z Fold8, offering a lighter and more compact design aimed at users who prefer a traditional foldable without the premium Ultra features.
Samsung says both devices feature improved durability while reducing the visibility of the display crease compared with previous generations.
Galaxy Z Flip8 focuses on AI-powered everyday use
Samsung has also refreshed its flip phone lineup with the Galaxy Z Flip8.
The latest model introduces a slimmer design and an upgraded FlexWindow display designed for quicker interactions without opening the phone.
New AI-powered features include:
- Smarter selfie assistance
- Hands-free video recording
- AI editing tools
- Improved cover screen functionality
Samsung says the Flip8 is its lightest flip phone yet, making it a more pocket-friendly option while maintaining flagship-level performance.
Galaxy Watch9 series puts health and recovery first
The company also expanded its wearable portfolio with the Galaxy Watch9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra2.
According to Samsung, the new watches focus heavily on personalised wellness, fitness coaching and recovery insights.
New features include:
- AI-powered health recommendations
- Sleep monitoring
- Sleep apnea detection support
- Fitness coaching
- Strava integration
- Improved battery performance
The Galaxy Watch Ultra2 also features Samsung’s brightest smartwatch display yet, reaching up to 5,000 nits, along with a slimmer titanium body.
UAE pre-orders are now open
Samsung confirmed that UAE customers can begin pre-ordering the new devices immediately through Samsung UAE and participating telecom operators.
Starting UAE prices include:
- Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra: from AED 7,999
- Galaxy Z Fold8: from AED 7,199
- Galaxy Z Flip8: from AED 4,699
- Galaxy Watch Ultra2: from AED 2,669
Retail availability across the UAE begins on 7 August 2026.
Samsung is also offering exclusive online colour options for selected devices through its official UAE store.
Why Samsung is expanding beyond smartphones?
The latest launch reflects a wider industry trend where artificial intelligence is becoming the centre of connected consumer technology.
Rather than focusing on individual devices, Samsung is building an ecosystem where smartphones, smartwatches and intelligent eyewear work together using Galaxy AI.
Industry analysts view this as Samsung’s response to growing competition in AI-powered consumer electronics, with companies increasingly investing in wearable AI experiences that reduce reliance on smartphones.
For Samsung, the Fold8 series also strengthens its leadership in the premium foldable market—a category it helped pioneer over the past several years.
Why It Matters?
For UAE residents, Samsung’s latest launch offers more than just new smartphones.
Here’s why it matters:
- UAE customers can already pre-order the new devices.
- Galaxy AI is expanding beyond phones into everyday wearable technology.
- Consumers have more foldable options across different price points.
- Businesses and professionals may benefit from enhanced multitasking and productivity features.
- Samsung continues to invest in premium technology as demand for AI-powered devices grows across the region.
FAQs
When can UAE customers buy the new Samsung devices?
Pre-orders are already open, while retail sales begin on 7 August 2026.
What is Samsung Intelligent Eyewear?
It is Samsung’s first AI-powered smart glasses, developed with Google, Gentle Monster and Warby Parker. The device offers hands-free AI features including navigation, translation and visual assistance.
How much does the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra cost in the UAE?
The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra starts from AED 7,999.
Which new devices were announced at Galaxy Unpacked 2026?
Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold8, Galaxy Z Flip8, Galaxy Watch9 series, Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and Intelligent Eyewear.
When will Samsung’s Intelligent Eyewear be released?
Samsung says the eyewear is expected to launch later this year, although a specific release date has not yet been announced.
With its largest-ever foldable lineup and the introduction of Intelligent Eyewear, Samsung has taken another major step towards creating a connected AI ecosystem. From premium foldable smartphones to smarter wearables, the latest Galaxy devices reflect the company’s growing focus on artificial intelligence and seamless cross-device experiences. UAE customers can now pre-order the new range ahead of its official release on 7 August 2026.
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