Samsung's second Galaxy Unpacked event of the year is scheduled for July 22 in London, UK, and the event will be livestreamed on YouTube. The company has built a reputation for pushing the boundaries of mobile technology, and this year's mid-year showcase promises to be one of the most significant yet. With a slew of leaks and teasers already circulating, the upcoming event is expected to introduce a new generation of foldable smartphones, smartwatches, and software innovations. Here is everything you need to know about what Samsung is likely to announce.
Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra
The centerpiece of the event will be the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and its high-end sibling, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. According to industry reports, Samsung is repositioning its foldable lineup this year. The standard Galaxy Z Fold 8 is expected to feature a wider form factor, similar to what competitors like Google and OnePlus have offered. This device will likely have a 5.5-inch cover display and a 7.6-inch foldable main screen, both with 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2X technology. Leaked renders suggest the cover screen will have noticeable bezels, which may be a trade-off for the larger display area.
In terms of camera hardware, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 may break from tradition by including only two rear cameras: a 50MP primary and a 50MP ultrawide sensor. This is a notable shift from the triple-camera setups of previous generations. Selfie cameras are expected to be 10MP on both the cover and main displays. Under the hood, the device will likely be powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 'for Galaxy,' paired with up to 16GB of RAM and storage options ranging from 256GB to 1TB. A 4,800mAh battery with 45W fast charging is anticipated, which would be a significant upgrade over earlier foldables.
Meanwhile, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra retains the traditional tall form factor but receives key upgrades. It is expected to feature a 6.5-inch cover screen and an 8-inch creaseless primary display with a higher resolution than its predecessor. The camera system is where the Ultra truly shines, with a 200MP main sensor, a 10MP 3x telephoto lens, and a new 50MP ultrawide camera. The chipset and RAM configurations are similar to the standard Z Fold 8, but the Ultra may command a higher starting price of around $2,099 in the United States.
Galaxy Z Flip 8
The clamshell foldable, the Galaxy Z Flip 8, is expected to receive more modest upgrades. Leaks indicate that Samsung may focus on refining the existing design rather than introducing major changes. The device will likely retain its 6.9-inch main display and 4.1-inch cover screen. Camera specifications are expected to remain unchanged, with a 50MP wide and 12MP ultrawide sensor on the back, along with a 10MP selfie camera.
The most significant change could be the chipset. In the US, the Z Flip 8 will likely use the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, while international variants may adopt Samsung's own Exynos 2600. Storage options will include 256GB and 512GB models, both with 12GB of RAM. A price increase is expected, with European pricing tipped to start at €1,299 (approximately $1,485), compared to the Z Flip 7's $1,099 launch price in the US.
Galaxy Watch 9 Series and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2
Samsung's wearable lineup is also set for a refresh. The Galaxy Watch 9 series will be available in 40mm and 44mm sizes, with the larger model featuring a higher-resolution 480x480 display. Both variants are expected to come with 2GB of RAM and storage options of 32GB or 64GB. Battery capacities will likely remain similar to the previous generation, with the 40mm model using a 325mAh battery and the 44mm model using a 445mAh pack.
A major change is the shift to Qualcomm's Snapdragon Wear Elite SW6100 chipset across all new smartwatches, replacing Samsung's own Exynos W1000. This could bring improved performance and efficiency. Pricing in Europe suggests the Galaxy Watch 9 will start at €409 (about $470) for the 40mm Bluetooth model, with LTE variants costing more.
The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, a rugged sports watch, will also debut. It retains the 47mm size and 480x480 display, but peak brightness is said to increase from 3,000 nits to 5,000 nits. The SW6100 chipset will power this device as well, and the battery is expected to jump from 590mAh to 800mAh, offering longer battery life. The Watch Ultra 2 is rumored to start at €749 (approximately $860) in Europe.
One UI 9
As is customary at Unpacked events, Samsung will provide a preview of its next major software update. One UI 9, based on Android 17, is expected to debut on the new foldables and later roll out to existing flagships like the Galaxy S26 series, Galaxy Z Fold 7, and Galaxy S25 series. Early leaks suggest a customizable Quick Settings panel, tweaks to the status bar, and new camera features like 'FanCam' for video recording. The update will also allow users to block internet access for specific apps to minimize distractions.
What Else Could Be Revealed?
Beyond the core lineup, there are rumors that Samsung may offer a sneak peek at its long-anticipated Galaxy Glasses, smart glasses designed to compete with products like the Ray-Ban Meta glasses. Codenamed 'Jinju,' the glasses are expected to run One UI XR, Samsung's version of Android XR. While it is uncertain whether they will be fully unveiled at this event, a brief preview is possible.
Other hardware such as new Galaxy Buds is unlikely, as the Galaxy Buds 4 series launched earlier in 2026. The company has a packed agenda, and all the announcements can be viewed during the livestream on July 22 at 2 PM BST (9 AM EDT / 6 AM PDT). Samsung's July Unpacked event continues to be a highlight of the mobile calendar, and this year's edition promises to set the stage for the next wave of innovation.
Source: Android Authority News