Samsung's next generation of foldables is set to make its debut in just a couple of weeks. We've seen plenty of the new phones already courtesy of a steady stream of leaks, but somehow, more info just keeps coming. Today, a pair of new renders is giving us an even better look at the Z Fold 8 and the Z Flip 8.

Serial leaker Roland Quandt posted the renders on Bluesky today. They don't show much we haven't seen already, but they look like official renders from Samsung and they aren't watermarked in any way. Quandt shared one render each of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and the Galaxy Z Flip 8. The Fold is pictured in a lavender color, while the Flip is shown in pink.

A Clearest Look Yet

Today's renders line up with what we've seen of the phones to date, including some very similar Z Fold 8 renders published earlier this week. This is the first time we've seen what appear to be official renders without watermarks, however. The images appear to be marketing renders, showing the Z Flip 8 in pink and the Z Fold 8 in lavender. These renders provide a clean, unobstructed view of the devices, free from the typical watermark overlays that often obscure details in enthusiast leaks.

The lavender shade for the Z Fold 8 is a significant departure from the darker, more professional colors Samsung has favored in the past. It suggests a move toward more vibrant, consumer-friendly options. Similarly, the pink Z Flip 8 continues Samsung's tradition of offering trendy colors for its clamshell foldable, appealing to a demographic that values style as much as function. The renders also confirm the overall design language: the Z Fold 8 retains a full-cover display that opens to a large internal screen, while the Z Flip 8 continues its compact flip-phone form factor with a small cover screen.

What We Know About the Devices

It looks like Samsung is shaking things up a little with its upcoming foldable lineup. Per the leaks we've seen so far, there'll be three folding phones this year rather than the usual two: the Galaxy Z Flip 8 and wider Galaxy Z Fold 8 seen here, as well as a Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra that'll keep the narrower form factor we're used to from previous generations. We're expecting the Ultra model will come with perks like a telephoto camera (the standard Fold will only have a primary and an ultrawide), plus a larger internal display.

This is a strategic expansion for Samsung. By offering a standard Fold with a wider aspect ratio and an Ultra with a narrower one, Samsung addresses two distinct user preferences. The wider Fold 8 is likely meant to compete with rivals like the Google Pixel Fold and Oppo Find N3, which have opted for a more usable outer screen. Meanwhile, the Fold 8 Ultra preserves the tall, book-like experience that early adopters have come to love, with enhanced camera hardware to justify its premium.

The Galaxy Z Flip 8, based on leaked specs, is expected to feature incremental upgrades over its predecessor. Rumors suggest a slightly larger cover display, possibly allowing for more widgets and quick replies without opening the phone. The internal display is likely to remain a 6.7-inch AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate. The chipset will probably be the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 or a corresponding Exynos processor, depending on the region. Battery capacity and charging speeds are also expected to see modest increases, though Samsung has traditionally been conservative in these areas.

Samsung's Foldable Evolution

Samsung has been a pioneer in the foldable smartphone market since launching the original Galaxy Fold in 2019. That device was marred by early durability issues, but Samsung quickly iterated, releasing the Z Fold 2, Z Fold 3, and Z Fold 4, each improving on design, durability, and camera performance. The Z Flip series, starting with the Galaxy Z Flip in 2020, targeted a younger, style-conscious audience with its compact clamshell form factor. The Z Flip 3 and Z Flip 4 expanded on this with water resistance and better cameras.

The upcoming Z Fold 8 represents the eighth generation of the Fold line, but the addition of an Ultra model is a first. This mirrors Samsung's strategy with the Galaxy S series, where the S20 lineup introduced an Ultra model with superior cameras and specifications. The same logic applies here: the Fold 8 Ultra will likely be the most expensive and feature-rich foldable Samsung has ever made, potentially starting at over $2,000.

Market dynamics are driving this expansion. Competition in the foldable space has intensified. Google's Pixel Fold, released in 2023, received positive reviews for its water-resistant design and excellent cameras. Chinese manufacturers like Oppo, Vivo, and Xiaomi have also launched competitive foldables with thin profiles and large batteries. Samsung needs to differentiate, and offering two distinct Fold models—one wide and one narrow—allows it to cover more use cases and price points.

Moreover, the foldable market is still niche but growing. According to industry analysts, global foldable smartphone shipments are expected to reach over 30 million units in 2026, up from about 15 million in 2023. Samsung remains the market leader with nearly 70% share, but that dominance is being challenged. The Z Fold 8 series and Z Flip 8 will be critical for maintaining Samsung's lead.

Event Details and Expectations

Samsung has confirmed that its next Galaxy Unpacked event will take place on Wednesday, July 22, in London. The event is expected to feature the Z Fold 8, Z Fold 8 Ultra, and the Z Flip 8, as well as new Galaxy Watch hardware. This will be Samsung's second Unpacked event in 2026, following the Galaxy S series announcement in early February. The choice of London as the venue—rather than Samsung's usual locations in New York or Seoul—signals the global importance of the foldable segment.

In addition to the phones, Samsung is likely to unveil the Galaxy Watch 7 series, which may include a new rotating bezel feature and improved health sensors. There is also speculation about a new Galaxy Tab or even a pair of premium wireless earbuds. However, the foldables will undoubtedly be the stars of the show.

Leaks have already revealed detailed specifications for the Z Fold 8 and Z Flip 8. The Z Fold 8 is rumored to feature a 7.6-inch main display with an under-display camera, a 6.2-inch cover display, and a triple-camera setup consisting of a 50MP main sensor, 12MP ultrawide, and 10MP telephoto (for the Ultra variant). The Z Flip 8 will maintain its 6.7-inch main display and add a 3.4-inch cover screen—larger than the current 1.9-inch cover screen on the Z Flip 5. Battery capacities are expected to be 4,400mAh for the Fold and 3,700mAh for the Flip, with 25W wired and 15W wireless charging.

Software-wise, the devices will run Android 15 with One UI 6, featuring Samsung's DeX support and enhanced multitasking capabilities tailored for the foldable form factor. Samsung has also been working on AI features, following the trend set by Galaxy AI on the S24 series. Expect features like real-time translation across the cover and main displays, improved photo editing tools, and generative AI wallpapers.

The Leak Landscape

The leak of unwatermarked renders is a significant indicator that the information is very close to launch. Typically, marketing materials are finalized a few weeks before an event, and their appearance online suggests that retail units are already being prepared for distribution. Roland Quandt has a strong track record with Samsung leaks, having previously revealed accurate renders of the Galaxy Tab series and Galaxy Buds. His sources appear to be within the supply chain or even Samsung's marketing partners.

This leak comes just days after another set of watermarked renders were published, which also showed the Z Fold 8 in similar colors. The consistency across multiple leaks increases confidence in the accuracy of the designs. However, there is always a possibility that final retail units may differ in minor details, such as button placement or hinge texture.

For consumers, these leaks serve as a preview of what to expect. The Z Fold 8's lavender color is particularly noteworthy; it is reminiscent of the 'Bora Purple' used on the Z Flip 4 and Galaxy S22 series, but more subdued. The pink of the Z Flip 8 is likely to be a popular choice, as pink shades have performed well in previous years on smartphones from various brands.

The absence of watermarks on the renders also means that they can be freely shared, which is why they have spread rapidly across social media and tech blogs. This benefits both the leakers—who gain credibility—and Samsung, which gets free advertising and buzz ahead of the official announcement. Whether Samsung deliberately 'leaks' some images or simply fails to control the distribution chain is a matter of debate, but the result is the same: public excitement is building.

For those planning to upgrade, the next step is to wait for the July 22 event. Pre-orders typically open immediately after the event, with shipments starting a week later. Pricing for the Z Fold 8 is expected to remain around $1,799 for the base model, with the Ultra likely priced at $2,199 or higher. The Z Flip 8 should start at $999, continuing its strategy of undercutting the Fold series and appealing to a broader audience.

In summary, the unwatermarked renders provide the clearest look yet at Samsung's upcoming foldables. They confirm design choices, color options, and the existence of three models. With just over a week to go until the official reveal, anticipation is at a peak. Samsung's strategy of expanding the Fold lineup with an Ultra variant and refreshing the Flip with bolder colors indicates a company confident in its foldable future but aware of the need to innovate. The July 22 event will be a pivotal moment for the foldable industry, and these leaks have only heightened the excitement.

Source: Android Authority News