Samsung's July Unpacked Event: A Reshaped Galaxy Z Fold Leads a Foldable-Heavy Lineup
Leaked images and specs point to a wider Z Fold 8, a new Ultra variant, and refreshed wearables when Samsung takes the stage in London.
Samsung is about to give its foldable lineup its biggest visual shake-up in years, and thanks to a string of leaks, we already have a rough sketch of what's coming before the company says a word.
The company's next Galaxy Unpacked event happens July 22nd at 9AM ET / 6AM PT, held in London and limited to invited guests. Everyone else can watch from home through Samsung's website, its YouTube channel, or the livestream that The Verge is hosting alongside its event coverage.
Based on the leaks circulating ahead of the show, the headline act is a redesigned Galaxy Z Fold 8. Samsung itself has teased a "new shape" for its foldables, and leaker Evan Blass has since published images of what's believed to be the device. The design shifts to a passport-like footprint when closed, unfolding into a wider display than previous Fold generations — a departure from the tall, narrow profile Samsung has used for years.
What the leaks say about the Fold 8
According to Blass's leaked materials, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is expected to run on Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor. The rear camera setup reportedly pairs a 50MP wide sensor with a 50MP ultrawide, while a 10MP camera handles both the cover display and the main interior screen. Battery life is rumored to reach up to 26 hours of video playback.
Alongside the standard model, Blass's leak points to a Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra that keeps the slim, tall body familiar from the Z Fold 7 rather than adopting the new wider shape. The Ultra variant is said to carry a larger 5,000mAh battery, pushing video playback up to a rumored 27 hours — suggesting Samsung may be splitting its foldable strategy between a redesigned mainstream Fold and a more conservative, longer-lasting Ultra option for people who prefer the current form factor.
The leaked lineup also includes a Galaxy Z Flip 8, which appears to carry over much of its predecessor's camera hardware: a 10MP front camera plus a 50MP wide and 12MP ultrawide on the back. Its rumored battery comes in at 4,300mAh.
Wearables get an update too
Foldables aren't the only products expected at the event. Samsung is also tipped to unveil a new Galaxy Watch Ultra 2. Per another Blass leak, the watch is expected to be about 12 percent thinner than its predecessor, and it's rumored to pack a Snapdragon Wear Elite processor, an 800mAh battery, and a display capable of hitting up to 5,000 nits of brightness — a notable jump if it holds up, since brighter panels typically make watch faces easier to read in direct sunlight.
A Galaxy Watch 9 is also rumored for the event, expected to stick with a familiar design while adopting the same Snapdragon Wear Elite chip as the Ultra 2.
There's also a chance Samsung uses the stage to show off progress on its AI-powered smart glasses, a product line built in partnership with Warby Parker and Gentle Monster. Those glasses are expected to formally launch this fall, but a demo or teaser during Unpacked wouldn't be out of the question given the timing.
None of this is confirmed by Samsung, and the company has only teased the "new shape" language around its foldables without detailing specifics. But between the design leaks, the camera specs, and the processor details all pointing in the same direction, the picture of what's coming July 22nd is about as clear as pre-Unpacked leaks get. The real question is whether the wider Fold 8 design actually changes how people use these phones, or whether it's mostly a cosmetic pivot dressed up as a "new shape."
