What you need to know

• Early reports claim that the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is capturing audiences overseas, as pre-orders are shattering expectations.
• The device is seemingly outpacing Samsung's Fold 8 Ultra and Flip 8, as inventory sells out online, forcing shipping delays.
• The Galaxy Z Fold 8 features a 5.4-inch cover display with a 16:10 aspect ratio in a more comfortable and pocketable form factor.

It's been almost a week since Galaxy Unpacked, and almost a week since pre-orders began for its next-gen foldables like the (wide) Galaxy Z Fold 8. Early reports claim this device is seeing popularity that's stunning Samsung.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8's popularity is reportedly shattering Samsung's expectations. Rumors about its performance started appearing on X, courtesy of tipster Ice Universe (via 9to5Google). The tipster alleges that the "pre-order volume" of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 has "far exceeded the Fold 8 Ultra." This information reportedly comes from early numbers out of South Korea. Users in the thread commented, offering their experience.

• See Android Central's guide to the best Galaxy Z Fold 8 preorder deals

One user states that as soon as the pre-order period began in South Korea, "the site crashed, and within less than 30 minutes, the dates got pushed back from August 4 to 28." They added that the device was seemingly sold out (or pushed back due to severe popularity) on Samsung's official website. The Flip 8 and the Fold 8 Ultra are reportedly still on schedule to ship/arrive by August 4.

Similarly, a report by another tipster, Lanzuk, on Naver suggests more of the same. They state sales for the Galaxy Z Fold 8 are "exceeding expectations," reportedly based on a "preliminary tally" of the first round of pre-orders. Online stock is apparently sold out, and many offline channels for procuring the device are backlogged. Users in the comments seemed to agree with the Fold 8's purported popularity.

Don't jump to conclusions

Some people were understandably skeptical about the Galaxy Z Fold 8, like Android Central's Derrek Lee. The Fold 8 is the wide addition to the foldable lineup, which means the Fold 8 Ultra is actually the successor to the Fold 7. These two look pretty much identical; however, the bigger story here is the Galaxy Z Fold 8. Samsung went smaller to go wider. The Fold 8 offers a 5.4-inch cover display with a 16:10 aspect ratio.

In Derrek's experience, the Fold 8 fits very well in the palm of his hand, and its thin profile (9.7mm) makes it quite a pocketable phone. One concern was how apps would react to a phone of this size, but they resize well on the Fold 8. Long-form videos look a bit better on the taller Fold 8 Ultra, due to its size, but if you flip the device sideways, it's all gravy. Multitasking also took a step up, as the Fold 8 can fit three apps side-by-side.

What's also caught our attention is the S Pen, or rather the lack thereof. Neither the Fold 8 nor the Fold 8 Ultra features Samsung's stylus. If you consider how multitasking-heavy these phones are, and how Samsung pushes users to take advantage of it, you'd imagine the stylus would be there. Other tools on the phones probably make the lack of a stylus sting less, so it's not a huge problem.

Android Central's Take

I feel that the main thing consumers will have trouble with is their choice. Which decision will you make? Are you more interested in a taller, "bigger" foldable or something a bit smaller and wider? A more pocketable phone. I like the wide Galaxy Z Fold 8. And this is where things get interesting because I mentioned this during the live blog. We see how popular the Fold 8 is and how the Flip 8 is supposedly sliding back. The Fold 8 seems to nail what consumers are looking for out of a foldable. I'm still curious on specific numbers if these reports are true.

What you need to know

• Honor held an Image Technology event in Hengdian, China today (July 28) where it highlighted the camera tech behind the Robot Phone.
• The phone will feature its in-house AiMAGE imaging engine, alongside a partnership with ARRI to fuel cinematography for "everyday scenarios."
• The Robot Phone will launch on August 12.

Honor is entering a "new era" ahead of its Robot Phone launch. Today (July 28), the company unveiled what its future as an "AI terminal ecosystem company" will look like, beginning with the cinema photography.

In Hengdian, China, Honor held its Image Technology Launch event, where it detailed its mobile technologies and how it intends for professionals to use its "cinema workflow." Honor shared that information with us this morning, highlighting its chip-device-cloud imaging engine, AiMAGE, and a partnership with ARRI.

During the keynote, the company said: "...mobile imaging progress depends on the combined evolution of physical image capture and intelligent processing: optical and sensor capabilities define the foundation of image quality, while AI, algorithms and cloud capabilities amplify what users can create."

This is the driving force behind the AiMAGE chip-device-cloud imaging engine. The chip side of its development is handled by its in-house Transformer-based native AI ISP, which helps "reconstruct the image processing pipeline from the ground up." Since this technology is headed to the Robot Phone, Honor says it's taking full advantage of its titanium alloy three-axis gimbal, "precision" sensing hardware, and more to improve image quality and motion control.

It's almost time

Honor's partnership with ARRI delivers "a more professional color and workflow foundation to the HONOR Robot Phone." Most of this is thanks to ARRI Look, LogC3, and Wide Gamut 3.

The company wanted to nail mobile imaging technology for true, cinematic creative scenarios. At the keynote, Honor says it invited Claudio Miranda to use the Robot Phone's camera to "recreate" a cinematic scene. Regarding the device's performance, cinematographer Wang Boxue said, "What impressed me is not only the image quality, but also how a compact mobile device can enter spaces that traditional camera setups cannot. This gives creators more freedom in camera movement and helps reduce the burden of production while expanding creative possibilities."

These are "long-term" ambitions Honor has set out to accomplish for the Robot Phone's AI and cinematography for "everyday scenarios." Pushing us further will be the device's 200MP main lens, 50MP ultrawide, and a 200MP telephoto sensor (via NotebookCheck). The Robot Phone is preparing to debut on August 12 to "redefine" our mobile devices.

Honor's been slowly but surely giving consumers and others information about the Robot Phone. The device was in Barcelona during MWC 2026, where the Robot Phone was said to debut globally in Q3 2026. The main highlight of this phone is its curious gimbal camera, which observes the world. The camera can automatically track movement using many of the technologies that Honor discussed at its event in China today.

Android Central's Take

When Honor posted that teaser about the Robot Phone months ago, it reminded me of WALL-E. The way it looks around curiously. I can almost hear WALL-E quips and whirrs. The Robot Phone is different. Maybe we need that right now. One feature Honor first teased was that users could flip up the camera, and it would "watch the world" as you move around. The phone might even take pictures or record videos for you. Imagine that.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 is set to hit store shelves next week, but for folks who don't want to wait, AT&T just dropped one of the best preorder deals I've seen yet.

Process a trade-in and add a line with an eligible data plan and AT&T will give you up to $1,000 off the Galaxy Z Flip 8. That knocks the price of the innovative foldable down to just $5.56 per month for 36 months! Think of it as the large latte that you order every month, except it's not a latte: it's an incredible 2026 flip phone.

AT&T deal drops the Galaxy Z Flip 8 to just over $5 per month

AT&T has listed the Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus, Z Flip 4, and Galaxy Z Flip 3 (or higher) as devices that will earn you the full $1,000 of trade-in credit, while older devices dating all the way back to the Samsung Galaxy S10 series will guarantee you $500 off your preorder. A new line on the carrier's Extra 2.0 plan or higher is also required to earn the full discount.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 takes the foundation of last year's excellent Z Flip 7 and adds a thinner and more lightweight build along with the incorporation of a custom Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor. The finished product is a powerful flip phone with a sleek, sophisticated design, outstanding performance, and seven years of OS and security upgrades guaranteed.

It also retails for $100 more than last year's version, which is why Galaxy Z Flip 8 preorder deals like the offer above are so important. Sure, this deal isn't for everyone, and there's probably no urgent reason to upgrade if you already own the Galaxy Z Flip 7. But if you've had your eye on Samsung's latest masterpiece and you're looking to upgrade your wireless service, this AT&T deal is one of the best on the web.

If you've been on the fence about preordering the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9, T-Mobile just shared a deal that might encourage you to take the leap. 

From now through the wearable's August 7th release date, you can get the Galaxy Watch 9 for FREE when you add a line with T-Mobile's Watch Plan Plus. That's $430 of promo credits over 24 months, no trade-in required and no additional eligibility requirements to worry about — just good old-fashioned savings on a device that's almost certain to rank among the best Android smartwatches of 2026. 

Get a FREE Galaxy Watch 9 with this new T-Mobile deal

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 may look almost identical to its predecessor, but there are a few notable improvements under the hood. The 2026 watch features upgraded battery life (up to 40 hours) and the incorporation of the new Snapdragon Wear Elite chipset without adding any extra weight to the frame. You also get all of the latest on-device Galaxy AI software features and some improved health and fitness tracking capabilities.

Just like last year's version, the Galaxy Watch 9 also boasts a vibrant AMOLED display and "squircle"-style design with 32GB of onboard storage, dual-band GPS, and IP68/5ATM durability.

The new chipset and upgraded battery are enough reason to call the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 one of the best smartwatches of the year, but last year's Galaxy Watch 8 is no slouch either. If you prefer Bluetooth and can find a good deal on the last-gen model, go for it. But if you want to use a 2026 smartwatch on your cellular network, T-Mobile's preorder deal is one of the most cost-effective ways to do so. This offer ends on August 7th, however, so don't wait too long to make your move. 

What you need to know

• Google's latest System update brings Play services v26.29 and Play Store v52.5 with upgrades for Wallet, Wear OS, Play Games, and content discovery.
• Play services' latest version adds new Maps and Wear OS APIs for developers alongside unspecified system bug fixes.
• The Play Store is becoming more engaging, with a smoother Play Games Sidekick dashboard, comic previews in Play Shorts, and smarter travel app recommendations through the updated Engage SDK.

Google’s latest Google System update won’t grab headlines for fancy new tricks, but it does bring a handful of changes that could help make everyday Android use just a little bit smoother. The latest rollout brings Play Store v52.5 and Google Play services v26.29 with content discovery improvements, Play Games and Wallet updates, and Wear OS improvements.

On the Google Play services side, version 26.29 continues the trend of Google pushing new features out of full Android OS updates. Maps APIs for Android Auto, phones, tablets, TVs, Wear OS, and PCs are now available for developers, as are new utilities APIs for Wear OS. Google also managed to slip in bug fixes for system management and diagnostics on phones, but it hasn’t said what those patches are for.

Wallet gets the largest batch of changes. For new users, the update saves a few steps, as Pixel Watch owners can now set up Express Pay directly from the watch. Google is also renaming the “Connected apps” section to “Linked apps” on its platforms, a small change that better reflects how third-party services connect to Google accounts. For Pix users, Gboard now works within messaging apps, and there are new developer tools for digital wallet and payment experiences.

The Play Store’s v52.5 update is more about how you find and interact with content. Google says the Play Games Sidekick dashboard is now more stable and responsive, which leads to a gaming companion experience that’s less likely to experience hiccups. Play Shorts is also branching out beyond apps and games, with the addition of popular comic book previews that you can swipe through before you get to the full story if something catches your eye.

Google is also giving a lift to travel apps. With updates to the content clusters in the Engage SDK, third-party travel apps that are supported can now show your previous searches, helping you to get back to your trip planning.

What you need to know

• Samsung says its Galaxy Glasses will be priced at a "reasonable" premium, likely above the $300 Meta Ray-Bans.
• The glasses are designed to work as an extension of Galaxy phones rather than as a standalone smart device.
• Samsung is adding Galaxy-exclusive features like Watch gesture controls and instant photo syncing to your phone.

Samsung may not have revealed much about its Galaxy Glasses during Galaxy Unpacked in London, but the company has now shared a few more details about what we can expect to pay for its first Android XR smart glasses.

Samsung is gearing up to launch its first pair of Android XR glasses later this year. The company has already confirmed that the glasses are being developed in partnership with eyewear brands like Warby Parker and Gentle Monster. We've even had some hands-on time with the device, but until now, Samsung hadn't said anything about pricing.

Speaking with The Korea Times, Samsung has now shed a little more light on that (via 9to5Google). The company says it plans to price the Galaxy Glasses "at a reasonable level," while still positioning them in the premium segment.

That doesn't give us an exact price, but it does suggest Samsung's glasses could cost a little more than the Meta Ray-Bans, which currently start at $300 in the U.S.

Samsung also believes its biggest advantage isn't just the hardware, but the ecosystem around it. Unlike Meta's smart glasses, which are largely designed as a standalone accessory, Samsung says its glasses are being built by a smartphone company first. The idea is for the Galaxy Glasses to feel like a natural extension of your Galaxy phone, rather than a separate device.

The company has already teased a few of those integrations. For example, you'll be able to control the glasses using gestures on compatible Galaxy Watches, while photos captured on the glasses can instantly appear as notifications on your Galaxy phone for quick viewing and sharing.

Privacy is another area Samsung says it's taking seriously. The company confirmed that the glasses will automatically disable recording if the privacy LED is covered or if the glasses aren't being worn.

That's an interesting move, especially since Meta recently rolled out a mandatory update for its smart glasses that disables the camera if the recording LED appears to have been tampered with.

Samsung still hasn't announced an exact launch date for the Galaxy Glasses, but we at least have a better idea of where they'll sit in the market.

What you need to know

• A new rumor suggests the OnePlus 16 will retain the OnePlus 15's flat display and compact square camera module.
• The launch could slip to October, with the latest leak pushing back earlier expectations of a September debut.
• Flagship hardware is shaping up to be a standout, with rumors pointing to a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro chip, a huge 9,000mAh battery, and a 200MP telephoto camera.

OnePlus may be pulling out of major international markets, but that hasn’t stopped leaks from giving us a clearer picture of its next flagship. New information suggests that the OnePlus 16 won’t be trying to reinvent the company’s design language, but it could still launch with enough hardware upgrades to turn heads, at least for buyers in China.

Reliable leaker Digital Chat Station says the OnePlus 16 will be very similar to the OnePlus 15. The phone is said to retain a flat 6.78-inch display with super-thin bezels and a small square camera island on the back, continuing the design change OnePlus adopted with its current flagship after years of sporting big circular camera modules.

The leak also changes the phone’s launch schedule. Rumors had pointed to a September launch, but the latest information shows OnePlus is now eyeing October.

Unfortunately, with OnePlus throwing in the towel in North America and Europe, the OnePlus 16 is already anticipated to miss both regions.

However, if the hardware rumors are true, OnePlus is going all out. Previous leaks have pointed to Qualcomm’s upcoming Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro processor, a massive 9,000mAh battery, and a 200MP telephoto camera that should offer sharper long-range photos.

Other rumored upgrades include an AI shortcut button, symmetrical dual speakers, sophisticated haptics, and high-end water resistance, making the phone look every bit a premium flagship on paper.

The more interesting question is not whether the OnePlus 16 will be powerful (it almost certainly will be if these leaks hold up). Instead, the question is whether a flagship can still make a splash with most of the world's buyers unable to get it officially. Its biggest drawback could be that even with its impressive specs, the OnePlus 16 might have its work cut out for it.

Android Central's Take

I can’t shake the feeling that OnePlus is building a great flagship for a dying audience. The 9,000mAh battery, flagship silicon, and 200MP telephoto camera are all upgrades that sound like things users would actually notice in their daily use, but they pale in comparison when the phone is unlikely to reach many of the people who want to buy it. OnePlus can’t keep making compelling hardware and slowly shrinking its global footprint if it wants to compete with the biggest Android brands.

What you need to know

• Boox is teasing an upcoming eReader called the Picco, which aims to deliver a comfortable reading experience on an even smaller device.
• The Picco will feature a 3.97-inch display with front light and TF card support.
• Boox says the device will "launch soon" and with an "accessible price point," intending to appeal to a wider range of consumers.

Boox is preparing to introduce a new ePaper device to consumers that's looking to fill a pocket-sized gap.

Boox shared details with Android Central about the Picco, "the ultimate on-the-go eReader." When we hear "pocket-sized," we think about a device that's small and portable, but still delivers that eReader experience we enjoy. The Boox Picco is reportedly going to do just that. According to the company, the Picco features a 3.97-inch monochrome ePaper display with front light support.

Additionally, Boox says it's worked in integrating TF card support, too.

Details state the goal of the Boox Picco is to take the current eReader ecosystem beyond what's already available. The Picco will "offer more flexibility for users, giving them new ways to integrate ePaper technology into their everyday lives." As far as when we can expect this, all Boox has to say is that the Picco will "launch soon."

However, it gave a little teaser about its price, stating the Boox Picco will debut at an "accessible price point," making it more approachable to a wider range of consumers.

In your pocket

In the world of pocket-sized eReaders, Boox has a few, but none are as small as the Picco. Last fall, Boox debuted the Palma 2 Pro and the Note Air5 C, delivering a color upgrade to these devices that already stood tall (short?). These eReaders were given a Kaleido 3 E color Ink display like many other devices on the market. It's worth noting that the Boox Palma 2 Pro features a 6.13-inch display but is still classified as a pocketable, phone-sized eReader.

On the other hand, we have the Boox Go 6 Gen 2, a device with a 6-inch 300 PPI display and an InkSensor Plus Stylus. We called it "tiny" before, but Boox is looking to take things even smaller with the Picco. Variation is what the company is looking for, especially for people who prefer varied experiences. The Go 6 Gen 2 debuted in June with a glare-free screen for daytime or nighttime reading. Boox worked on integrating adjustable front lights, as well, which we've seen highlighted for its upcoming model.

Price was mentioned for the Picco, and this is where things get interesting. The Go 6 Gen 2 debuted with a starting price of $199. Boox has said that it wants the Picco's price to appeal to a wide range of consumers, so it makes us wonder how low this could get.

Android Central's Take

The Boox Picco sounds like a cool device purely from its screen size information. Boox has devices with screen sizes all over. From larger notebook-style devices that are great for handwriting documents to something smaller like the Picco or the Go 6 (Gen 2). I feel like the Picco might make reading—taking a device to read, too—feel effortless.

What you need to know

• "Tuning" was spotted in a leak conerning Google's Gemini Daily Brief, which could bring specified customization tools to users.
• A report claims users can tell the AI what they want to see in their morning digests and what they don't.
• Gemini Spark and Daily Brief were a part of Google's I/O highlights, which turn the AI into a proactive assistant.

Google rolled out "daily brief' for Gemini earlier this past spring, and you couldn't avoid the Samsung Now Brief similarities. The company has reportedly kick-started development for a refreshing change.

Google often runs tests for many features, and Android Authority claims to have discovered its latest for Gemini's daily digest. The publication dove into a recent app version with tipster AssembleDebug, who discovered a "Tune your brief" function for Daily Brief. When tuning, the tipster claims users can open a sub-menu that offers a glimpse into what Gemini rounds up for you, as well as suggestions.

"Important events" and "action items" were a couple of items highlighted by the AI; however, it suggests adding email newsletters, updates from your child's school, and more. Much of this is coming from your connected Gmail and Calendar accounts. Alternatively, users can interact with the textbox for better customization.

AssembleDebug states users can write what they'd like to see more or less of in their Daily Brief from Gemini. By that, it seems that users can get specific, informing the AI of specific senders they'd rather not be updated about constantly every morning. Additionally, if there are emails you just can't miss, you can tell Gemini and "tune it" appropriately. The tipster reminds us that since this was found hidden in Gemini's app code, there's no telling when Google could roll this out (if it makes the cut).

Proactive AI

You might remember Gemini Spark from the days of Google I/O 2026. This is an AI agent for Google's main AI that's eager to become more proactive. Spark features deep integration with the user's Gmail, Docs, Slides, and more, and Gemini's Daily Brief was an extension of this mindset. Personalized morning digests are the main course in the AI's Daily Brief.

Google said, "Daily Brief goes beyond simple summaries by actively organizing and prioritizing information based on your goals, while also suggesting what you should do next." What the tipster found in this "tuning" leak is kind of what Google's feedback options did. Currently, users can thumbs up or down the information provided in their Daily Brief. It's not the best way to tell the AI what you want or don't want. Of course, directly tuning it will provide the best results.

Android Central's Nicholas Sutrich enjoyed his time using it, praising the AI for finally not feeling like a "ChatGPT prompt clone."

Best Buy's 'Black Friday in July' sale ended last week, but the retailer has wasted no time in dropping another batch of deals for all of the students heading back to class. Whether you want a new wearable, tablet, or feature-packed smartphone, you can find all of the best currently-active Best Buy deals for students in this guide.

Need a new laptop for those long study sessions? Best Buy's big sale has you covered. What about a compact smart TV for the dorm room? Check. There's plenty more tech deals where those came from, so keep reading for all of my top picks. Of course, Best Buy isn't the only retailer running sales ahead of the new school year, so keep an eye on our deals portal for more recommendations from yours truly.

• See the full list of deals from Best Buy's Back to School sale

Tablets and laptops

Smartphones

Smart TVs

Wearables

Headphones/earbuds

Additional reading for Back to School 2026

• Best Chromebooks for students
• Best Android phones for students
• Best tablet for students
• Best smartwatch for students
• Best noise-cancelling headphones
• Best wireless earbuds
• Best phone plans for students

What you need to know

• Galaxy S27 Pro and S27 Ultra rumors return after battery specifications allegedly surface online.
• The S27 Ultra is rumored to get a 5,700mAh or 5,800mAh battery upgrade, while the S27 Pro could see a 5,200mAh cell.
• These numbers go against a previous rumor that said Samsung's potential silicon-carbon upgrade might not increase the capacities.

Rumors are surfacing fast and furiously about an upgrade Samsung could give two of its flagship Galaxy S phones next year. If these rumors become reality, Samsung might finally make good on the one thing we've wanted for years.

Earlier this morning (July 27), continuing rumors from last week, GalaxyClub (Dutch) now suggests the specifications for a Galaxy S27 Pro and S27 Ultra battery upgrade have appeared (via SamMobile). The publication alleges that both phones could sport battery capacities above the 5,000mAh threshold. According to the post, the Galaxy S27 Ultra could receive a 5,700mAh or 5,800mAh battery at the next Galaxy Unpacked.

The publication assumes that this could be the result of Samsung dipping more into silicon-carbon battery technology. Nothing's confirmed, but more on that in a moment. The rumors continue, stating the Galaxy S27 Pro might deliver a 5,200mAh battery. There have been several rumors about the S27 Pro, especially since next year (if we're believing the rumors) would be its debut.

One common thread is that the Pro might "mirror" the Ultra in a few ways. This battery upgrade is new, considering we've heard things about its camera. Regarding the latest battery upgrade, this was a rumor that picked up traction from Naver (Korean).

Things have changed

The Galaxy S27's battery was the subject of a rumor last week. A tipster from Naver claimed that Samsung was in the early stages of integrating its silicon-carbon battery tech with the upcoming series. Supposedly, the company had its devices "undergoing application testing." Strangely, the tipster alleged that nothing was confirmed (of course, this is a rumor) and that the cell capacities hadn't increased.

The rumors from GalaxyClub walk back on a portion of this rumor, stating the capacities have increased, and by a noticeable amount, too. The Galaxy S25 Ultra features a 5,000mAh battery. The S26 Ultra does, too. We've been stuck in this realm for a while with Samsung's Ultra model, and an 800mAh increase would be a boon to its battery life, enabling more scrolling, gaming, and video watching. This silicon-carbon angle is even more interesting when you consider Samsung's latest foldables now feature it.

Still, these are rumors, and we should treat them as such (though it is exciting). The other side of that report said the S27 and S27 Pro could swap Samsung's ISOCELL camera sensor for Sony's.

Android Central's Take

It would've been hard to imagine a major upgrade like silicon-carbon batteries without a meaningful capacity increase. The Ultra needs some help. I like the phone, but the battery capacity is lagging behind its competitors. There's no two ways about it. Asking for a 6,000mAh battery might sound like greed, so if a 5,800mAh is what we're looking at, that's fine.

What you need to know

• Smartphone prices are climbing rapidly as rising RAM and chipset costs force Android brands to charge more for new devices.
• Qualcomm's upcoming chipset price hike could push the prices of Samsung, OnePlus, Xiaomi, Honor, and other Android phones even higher.
• Buying an Android phone later this year or in 2027 will likely cost more than buying an equivalent model today.

The best time to buy a new smartphone was probably yesterday. Why? Because the next one you buy is almost certainly going to cost more.

It's no secret that smartphone prices have been climbing this year. Samsung has already raised prices across its Galaxy Z8 lineup, while Google's upcoming Pixel 11 series is also expected to launch at higher prices than its predecessor. Much of that has been blamed on the ongoing RAM price crisis that's affecting the entire smartphone industry.

Unfortunately, things don't seem to be getting any better. According to a Bloomberg report, Qualcomm has informed its hardware partners that it will increase chipset prices by a double-digit percentage starting September 1, 2026. The company reportedly told partners that it can no longer absorb the higher manufacturing costs and will instead pass them on.

That, in turn, means smartphone makers will have to pay more for the chipsets that power their devices. And when component costs go up, those increases almost always make their way to consumers.

Since Qualcomm's Snapdragon chips power smartphones from Samsung, OnePlus, Xiaomi, Honor, Motorola, and many other Android brands, this isn't just a problem for one company.

It's an industry-wide issue, and chances are the next Android phone you buy in late 2026 or even 2027 will cost more than an equivalent phone would have just a year earlier.

That's exactly why I say the best time to buy a new smartphone was yesterday.

Of course, sales events like Black Friday and the holiday shopping season will still offer some excellent deals. But if list prices continue to climb the way they have, even those discounts may not end up feeling quite as generous as they once did.

Enabot's cutesy robots on wheels are always fun contraptions, but the most perplexing thing about them is their animal magnetism. Cats can't seem to get enough of them, as witnessed not just by me but by my colleagues as well. I genuinely wonder if Enabot rubs catnip on their robots at the factory level before shipping them out.

This is perfect, however, because Enabot's smart family robots are primarily advertised as pet companions, with a secondary focus on family companionship and home surveillance. It's an all-in-one security camera on wheels that monitors your beloved family members, whether two-legged or four.

The EBO Max isn't cheap

Enabot launched the EBO Max family bot on March 31, 2026. Priced at $599.99, it is the second most expensive such robot offered by the brand. You can also buy a EBO Max Style Pack for $29.99 that has four cosmetic add-ons, including deer antlers and rabbit ears.

The EBO Max comes with a charging dock, a 32GB SD card pre-inserted into the robot, an adapter, and a resetting pin in the box.

The EBO Max is a mid-sized robot, a lot smaller and more compact than the larger EBO X, but slightly larger than the EBO Air models. The charging dock is significantly smaller and slimmer than the EBO X and other models.

Just like other Enabot robots, you can easily take off the wheel tracks of the EBO Max for cleaning. The entire bottom unit with the wheel tracks slides off with a few clicks. This is also where the memory card slot is located.

What can this robot do?

Before setting the EBO Max up, it was really important to let my cat sniff the robot to his heart's content. This helped ease him into a new element in the house, as cats tend to hate change and can be very nervous around moving objects.

Once he was happy with the smell and familiarized himself with it, I set up the EBO Max charging dock and turned it on. My cat was more curious than afraid, and he even started cuddling with the bot right away.

Initial setup involves the EBO HOME app, which immediately gives you a comprehensive walkthrough of the robot's capabilities. This is helpful because there's a lot to learn and explore in the app, which is the robot's main control center.

The EBO Max bot can use V-SLAM Navigation to map out your house. It can recognize family members once you've registered their faces and voiceprints, and once those are saved, you can set up voice calling settings for those members. If a fall is detected, you can select certain family members to be notified.

You can change the style and color of the "eyes" of the EBO Max robot, which are incredibly expressive. They follow you around, almost in a sentient manner, which can be cute and human-like — but also really creepy at 3 AM. There is a sound localization feature that makes the robot turn to you when it hears your voice. Thankfully, the bot can be scheduled to "close its eyes" during your chosen "Do Not Disturb" hours.

Because the EBO Max has two-way comms, family members can even receive voice calls when fall detection is triggered. You can take this one step further with activity detection, so if no movement is detected for your selected number of days, you and your chosen family members will be notified.

The robot can be scheduled to patrol and play or monitor people and/or pets at home during your selected hours, and you can set it to smartly patrol the house on your chosen route once the house is mapped. Additionally, you can adjust event recording settings to automatically record photos and videos of interactions. When the EBO Max runs low on battery, it returns to the charging dock on its own.

The EBO Max can be remotely controlled via the app as it has Wi-Fi. It sports an 8MP camera with a 4K resolution, a wide 131° field of view, and night vision, so the image quality is very crisp and clear in diverse lighting scenarios.

You can queue actions and sounds, individually or together, when playing with children or pets. There are plenty of cat and dog sounds, as well as many movements, including some of the best actions from other EBO bots, like the figure-eight dance from the EBO X.

Everything from the robot's movement speed and the audio and call volume settings can be adjusted too. There's no manual mic and video shut-off button or shutter, though, which is a bit of a privacy oversight.

However, the "Do Not Disturb" mode can be used as an alternative. You can set the robot's active "wake up" hours, and even choose to have the screen (or the "eyes" of the bot) automatically shut off during your selected DND nighttime hours.

Because of course there's AI

The EBO Max family bot has a wide array of useful AI features. You start by saying "EBO EBO" to initiate conversations or give instructions, all in natural language. You can use the "EBO EBO, follow me" command to make the robot leave the charging dock and follow you around the house.

Other features include setting timers, reminders, or alarms; asking about the weather; asking the robot to find a certain family member; and more.

You can change the AI voice tone or clone your voice to be used as the robot's voice using the Pet Parrot feature. So, the EBO Max can read your text when you send it to the robot.

Enabot gave the EBO Max family bot an AI-powered brain, so it literally learns from all the information it absorbs and gets smarter the longer you use it. This adaptive behavior means the bot remembers patterns and perceives its surroundings, and it can even role-play depending on the role you assign it.

You can also assign more complex commands. For example, you could say, "I'm going on holiday for two days starting tomorrow. Patrol the house three times a day and alert me of any unusual activity. Record a video of any movement," and the EBO Max robot will do just that.

Eventually, it can even distinguish memories and learn about your habits, hobbies, preferences, and daily home life. This can be helpful for questions like "Did Grandma take her morning medicine yesterday?" or similar scenarios.

Using the AI functions sometimes causes the robot to run a little hot, and the AI also hangs or glitches at times, especially after being asked a few questions simultaneously. Also, when you're using an AI feature, this prevents you from queuing movements or animal sounds when remotely controlling the robot.

Unfortunately, there is no smart home integration with Gemini or Alexa, so you miss out on automations and options like playing music or switching on your TV. There is also no Bluetooth speaker mode. I find both features incredibly useful on the EBO X, so this was a bummer.

Should you buy the Enabot EBO Max?

In many ways, this is the smartest robot Enabot has ever made, although it's missing smart home integration and some refinement. Native Matter support would've made this a monumental leap in the smart home world.

Once the EBO Max builds memories and learns enough, and with the help of firmware updates, I truly believe the small hiccups will iron themselves out. Enabot is very good with updates — I got one as soon as I installed the EBO Max robot.

At $599, the EBO Max is a lot cheaper than the $999 EBO X, which includes Alexa and physical shut-off buttons for the mic and the camera. So getting a large portion of its features and an AI-powered brain that gets wiser over time, all for $400 cheaper, is a bargain if you ask me.

If you need a smart home camera that can follow and monitor your loved ones or even keep your kids and cats entertained, EBO Max is an outstanding family robot for you.

Sony has been doing all the wrong things of late, but I'm not here to rant about them canceling physical game discs today. I'm here to help you fix a very annoying, yet somehow super prevalent, problem. If you use the PlayStation app on your smartphone, you might have come across this issue.

I signed out of my secondary PlayStation account on my phone a few weeks ago and tried to log in to my primary PS profile, which has 2FA enabled for security. Unfortunately, I wasn't receiving any two-factor authentication text messages from Sony. It was the start of the weekend, which meant I'd have to wait two days before Sony's customer support came online.

So here's what I did to fix it and finally log back into my account.

How to regain access to your PlayStation app when two factor authentication fails

Usually, the correct thing to do is to use your backup codes when 2FA fails. And trust me, Sony's PlayStation app regularly fails to send a 2FA SMS. Just go to Reddit, and you'll find countless accounts of this happening (here, here, and here). PlayStation account users have even been prevented from logging in to their PS4s and PS5s because of this problem.

Anyway, I kept my backup codes in such a safe place that even I couldn't find them. So here's what I did.

1. Open the PlayStation app and tap Sign In.

2. Enter your email address and tap Next.

3. Instead of entering your password, select the Trouble Signing In? option.

4. You'll have to reset your password now by selecting the Recover Your Account > option.

5. You will be redirected to the account recovery portal. Enter your email address there and tap Send Link.

6. Once the password recovery email arrives, choose to set up a passkey instead of a password. This automatically disables two-factor authentication.

7. Once your passkey is set up, sign in to the PlayStation app using your passkey instead.

The PlayStation app can be your savior when you're locked out of your PSN account

Previously, PlayStation Network (PSN) users could use 2FA on their PlayStation 5 or PlayStation 4 if they weren't sent a verification code via SMS. But that option is no longer available. So if you can't get your two-factor authentication code via text, you need to rely on your backup codes.

Thankfully, even if you've misplaced your backup codes, this hack lets you reset everything without relying on 2FA. Once a passkey is set up, it is tied to your password manager. So just make sure you don't get locked out of that!

What you need to know

• Samsung is reportedly planning a second-generation Galaxy Z TriFold for 2027.
• The next TriFold is expected to keep the same display size, suggesting Samsung is focusing on scaling the product rather than redesigning it.
• Samsung could launch four foldables in 2027 — Galaxy Z Flip 9, Z Fold 9, Z Fold 9 Ultra, and the new TriFold — expanding its premium lineup.

Samsung’s first tri-fold phone wasn’t supposed to be a blockbuster hit, but it seems the company is already planning a much bigger successor. Samsung has reportedly started work on a second-generation Galaxy Z TriFold, with a launch apparently scheduled for 2027, and this time the company may be ready to sell it to far more people.

Korean publication ETNews reports that Samsung has already shared details of the new device with component partners, meaning that development is well underway ahead of launch. While details about the hardware are still scarce, the report indicates that the next TriFold will likely retain the same display size as the current model. The hardware is not that interesting, but the production strategy of Samsung is.

That’s a huge departure from Samsung’s original Galaxy Z TriFold, which was launched as an experimental device in limited quantities and markets. The company treated it more like a technology showcase than a volume seller, making it difficult for most buyers to get their hands on one. If the latest report is to be believed, Samsung now looks confident enough to bring the concept closer to the mainstream by ramping up manufacturing and increasing availability.

The report also claims that Samsung might launch four premium foldables instead of three in the second half of 2027: the Galaxy Z Flip 9, Galaxy Z Fold 9, Galaxy Z Fold 9 Ultra, and the second-gen Galaxy Z TriFold. That would also put to rest recent rumors suggesting that this year's Galaxy Z Flip 8 might be the last of Samsung's clamshell foldables.

Samsung is also said to be expanding the Galaxy S family. Previous reports have suggested that the Galaxy S27 range could include the Galaxy S27, S27 Plus, S27 Pro, and S27 Ultra. If that happens, Samsung would have a “4+4” flagship strategy — four Galaxy S devices in the first half of the year and four foldables in the second half.

It is still early for now. Samsung has made no announcements around any of these plans, and a lot can change before 2027 rolls around.

Android Central's Take

I fully support Samsung's efforts to push the boundaries of foldables, but a tri-fold only matters if most people can actually buy it. A flashy concept with limited production and sky-high pricing doesn't advance the industry. The real upgrade would be if Samsung is finally serious about making its next TriFold more broadly available.

What you need to know

• Google is developing a new "Phone to Watch Unlock" feature that automatically unlocks your Pixel Watch with your Pixel phone.
• The feature works in reverse of today's Watch Unlock, eliminating the need to enter your watch PIN repeatedly.
• Code strings suggest the feature will be exclusive to the Pixel Watch and Pixel phone ecosystem through Connected Services.

Google could finally fix the one thing that's been annoying me about using a passcode on my Pixel Watch.

For quite some time now, Google has offered a feature called Watch Unlock that lets your Pixel Watch unlock your Pixel phone. If your Pixel Watch is already unlocked and on your wrist, your phone automatically unlocks without asking for your passcode. The problem is that it doesn't work the other way around.

Thankfully, that could finally be changing.

As spotted by Android Authority, Google is working on a new feature called Phone to Watch Unlock that would automatically unlock your Pixel Watch whenever you unlock your paired Pixel phone.

Unlike the current implementation, where an unlocked Pixel Watch can unlock your phone, this feature would work in reverse. Once you unlock your Pixel phone, your Pixel Watch will automatically unlock as well. It's something that's been bugging me for a long time, so I'm glad to see Google finally working on a fix.

Unfortunately, it looks like this feature will be exclusive to the Pixel ecosystem. The code strings were discovered in Google's Connected Phone and Watch Services app, suggesting it will only work between Pixel phones and Pixel Watches.

From what it appears, Google will prompt users to enable the feature during setup. You'll first need to enter your current watch PIN as a one-time verification, after which your Pixel Watch will automatically unlock whenever you unlock your Pixel phone.

There's currently no word on when the feature will roll out. However, since it's already been spotted in the app's code, there's a good chance Google is preparing to launch it sooner rather than later.

Android 17's first major Feature Drop is expected next month, so it's possible this feature could arrive as part of that update.

This year, Soundcore brings both subtle improvements and awe-inspiring upgrades that every pair of earbuds on the market should be replicating. And I don’t say that lightly. While still not market-leading, they’ve even improved their weakest point: active noise-canceling strength.

Overall, I’ve been completely floored by what Soundcore has been able to accomplish, so let’s get to it, and I’ll tell you why the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro and Liberty 5 Pro Max are more than just an upgrade over the 5; they’re a “must-have.”

Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro vs Pro Max: Visual differences

I started my review period with the pricier, new Liberty 5 Pro Max, but I’ve been using both Pro models interchangeably. Both new cases' lids slide up like the Liberty 5, and now they have external “smart displays.” Though the dimensions of both new Pro models are similar, the Pro Max is taller and brighter, thanks to its 1.78-inch AMOLED smart display (the Pro’s is .96 inches).

Both displays are responsive and easy to read in direct sunlight. The Pro Max allows you to upload wallpaper, both stills and animations, which display on the screen when it’s awake. Using the case, swiping left or right lets you control ANC modes, EQ, and playback. Swiping up from the bottom gives you access to all the apps, and swiping down from the top brings up quick-access shortcuts for various settings. All of that without pulling out your phone.

The only downside is that while the case is pocketable for a 6 ’ 215lb man like me (it fits in my pants coin pocket), it will be large for others with smaller frames when you compare it to the Pixel Buds or Galaxy Buds 3 Pro cases (see comparison in the gallery above).

This year, the new Liberty 5 Pro models have been redesigned so they’re no longer stem-style earbuds; instead, they have an earbud with a “surfboard” sitting over the backside. And, like some surfboards, the new models have rear fins which come in three different sizes, including the one already installed.

The fins, along with plenty of eartip options, made it easy to get the right fit. And it’s a locked-in fit that feels as secure as my favorite gym earbuds, the Powerbeats Fit!

When placing the earbuds in my ears, the idea is to twist slightly to get the earfins to lock in. Not doing that, they have a looser fit, but they still feel quite secure, and that’s how I’ve worn them most of the time. For the gym, I just twist and lock in, and they’re great!

Generally, I hate the fit of oval-shaped eartips and have not found them comfortable across quite a few earbuds I’ve tested over the years, but with the Liberty 5 Pro models, they feel just right.

Mind-blowing, record-setting call quality

According to Soundcore, the new Liberty 5 Pro models earned a Guinness World Records title for the clarity of their calls, and after my testing, I believe them! The most fascinating aspect of my time with the Pro and Pro Max has been the call quality enabled by the new Anker Thus AI audio chip embedded in the earbuds.

One day during my 45-minute commute home, I gave my friend a call using an iPhone 16 Pro Max with the Liberty 5 Pro connected. He’s a broadcast engineer who intimately knows the ins and outs of audio and video.

We chatted the entire time I was driving, and when I made it home, I asked him where he thought I was calling him from. He told me it sounded like I was in a quiet room and my voice sounded great.

I recorded myself talking using the Voice Recorder app on a Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra while playing 80dB of airplane cabin and urban traffic noise. I thought I was in the Twilight Zone when I played that audio back because not only was there not even the slightest hint that 80dB of noise was literally blasting in my face from less than two feet away, My voice was still clear, though very slightly muddy, but it didn’t sound like I was underwater, and there were no dropouts from the AI being overwhelmed.

While recording, I intentionally stopped talking to see how the new Anker Thus AI chip handled background noise when I was silent, and the audio waveform was completely flat (as pictured above), detecting no sound despite 80dB of noise!

These are easily the best earbuds I’ve used for phone calls in years. Jabra was my previous champ, along with AirPods, Technics AZ100, and a couple others, but nothing has come close to achieving exactly what Anker Soundcore has.

The Anker Thus AI chip powers some very useful features and upgrades

The Anker Thus AI chip enables more than just what I believe to be market-leading call quality. The Pro Max’s case is Bluetooth-enabled and connects directly to your phone, letting you use it as a microphone and speaker for translating conversations. I used this functionality a few times, and it works well.

The AI Note Taker feature is really good! It works much like Otter AI or Zoom call transcription, in that it recognizes individual speakers and does so well (see image below). The only time it gets confused about who is speaking is when people speak over each other.

The Anker Thus chip also enables highly responsive voice commands that control many functions without an internet connection, like Sony and Samsung’s flagship earbuds (see above). The only thing I found a bit hit-or-miss was voice chat with the Soundcore personal assistant, Anka.

You can chat with it and ask it to do things, but I found more complex “asks” to be a bit less reliable than the excellent offline voice commands.

The rest of the experience: The highs and lows

Listening to the chaotic Jazz romp “Moanin’” performed by Charles Mingus and crew, the Liberty 5 Pro Max did an admirable job of not turning the most chaotic moments of the song into a pot of mashed potatoes, handling the chaotic mix better than the venerable Sony WF-1000XM6.

The only area lacking was the high frequencies in the pop and hip-hop genres. Listening to Jamiroquai’s “Starchild,” his vocals are clear, and while definitely not buried in the mix, highs feel a bit subdued.

Top-end smoothness is a treat when listening to various genres of rock music. System of a Down’s “Toxicity” is delightful, and nothing ever came across even remotely sibilant.

You’re definitely getting popular, low-end-emphasized tuning out of both Pros, but thanks to features like HearID and their excellent choice of sound EQ’ing options, you really can effectively tune the audio frequencies to your liking.

ANC is also noticeably improved. Mid-range noise, like voices in the background, and higher-frequency sounds, like the clank of weight plates in the gym, are noticeably softened compared to the Liberty 5. With the improved ANC activated, LDAC HiRes enabled, and AI functionality, I still found myself getting around 6 hours of battery with the ‘buds.

The only place I found noise controls lacking at this price point was in the ability to quickly attenuate unexpected loud noises, such as dropping a weight or a pan, while in Transparency mode. My Powerbeats Fit immediately mutes unexpected loud noises, but the Liberty 5 Pro doesn’t respond fast enough.

A noteworthy upgrade

While the ANC is improved but not a market leader, the microphones absolutely are now, and that begs the question: Liberty 5 Pro Max or Sony WF-1000XM6? Market-leading active noise canceling or market-leading call quality?

For most people, the audio quality when listening to music or movies is close enough that it isn’t a major point of contention between the two, but it’s very easy to recommend the Liberty 5 Pro series to you because they’re that good, and they’re roughly $100 cheaper than Sony’s flagship. In this economy, that means a lot!

What you need to know

• Google has confirmed Pixel price hikes as the ongoing global RAM shortage continues to push hardware costs higher.
• Recent leaks suggest the entire Pixel 11 lineup could cost $100 more than the current Pixel 10 series.
• Google says it's making Android more RAM-efficient to offset lower memory configurations without hurting performance.

It's the season of price increases. Samsung recently increased prices across its entire Galaxy Z8 lineup compared to the previous generation, and now it looks like Google is about to follow suit.

In an interview with 9to5Google, Google's Vice President of Devices and Services, Shakil Barkat, confirmed that price hikes are coming to Pixel phones. While Barkat didn't go into specifics about what we can expect in terms of pricing, he emphasized that Google's hardware division has been heavily impacted by a "severe, supplier-driven RAM memory crisis."

The executive pointed to Morgan Stanley data showing that the price of 1GB of RAM has jumped from $2.80 in 2025 to $12 this year. Barkat said Google has shielded customers from these supply fluctuations for as long as possible, but that the entire Pixel lineup will now see "adjustments" that will be rolled out dynamically to reflect the reality of the supply chain.

Unfortunately, that includes the upcoming Pixel 11 series.

According to recent leaks, prices across the Pixel 11 lineup are expected to increase by $100. That means the base Pixel 11 could start at $899, up from the Pixel 10's $799 starting price. The Pixel 11 Pro is also expected to start at $1,099, while the Pixel 11 Pro XL is rumored to launch at $1,299.

On top of that, the leaks also suggest Google is reducing the amount of RAM on the base Pro models. While the Pixel 11 Pro and Pixel 11 Pro XL are both expected to start with 256GB of storage, the company is reportedly cutting the RAM from 16GB to 12GB.

The disruption will also impact "in-market Pixel phones," Barkat added, although Google didn't confirm which devices he was referring to. Reports suggest that this could include the Pixel 10a.

The executive also said that Google is working to make Android more RAM-efficient than ever, which will "enable devices to have less RAM while maintaining a great user experience."

Would you still buy the Pixel 11 series if it costs $100 more?

In the flip phone market, Samsung lives in Motorola's shadow. Even with the Motorola Razr Ultra 2026's price hikes, it will be the flip phone for the Galaxy Z Flip 8 to beat. Before you decide whether to buy the Razr Ultra 2026, the Galaxy Z Flip 8, or an older model, you might want to know how the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 is holding up one year later.

I've spent exactly a year with the Galaxy Z Flip 7, testing Samsung's foldable against the older Galaxy Z Flip 6 and the entire Motorola Razr 2026 lineup. Truth be told, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 is slightly underrated. It's easy to ridicule the flip phone for its poor cover screen software, but beyond that, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 features polished hardware and great hardware support.

It's still going strong in 2026, and these are the things I love (and don't love) about the Galaxy Z Flip 7 after long-term use.

Samsung's flip design is still better than Motorola's

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7's IP48 certification won't win any awards, but overall, this is the best-built foldable you can buy in North America. It's sturdy, with a strong hinge and a nearly crease-less display. My favorite part about the Galaxy Z Flip 7 is its form factor. The flip phone weighs only 188 grams and measures just 13.7mm when folded, seriously undercutting the Razr Ultra 2026.

I can guarantee you'll notice the thinner, lightweight build of the Galaxy Z Flip 7 as you live with it for months. It's no Galaxy Z Fold 7 — flips simply have less internal space to work with, resulting in thicker builds — but it's still impressive. More importantly, I'm fond of the Galaxy Z Flip 7's rectangular shape. It feels polished and premium, whereas I find the Razr Ultra 2026's curvy design to make it look thicker than it actually is.

Motorola gets credit for the stylish PANTONE colorways available throughout the Razr line, but I'll take the Galaxy Z Flip 7's footprint anyway.

The Galaxy Z Flip 7's cover screen software is still disappointing

The one Galaxy Z Flip 7 drawback that is borderline disqualifying is the phone's cover screen software. It's more limited than the Motorola Razr Ultra 2026 — you need to use extra apps like MultiStar to get basic apps running on the Galaxy Z Flip 7 cover screen. The real problem is the Galaxy Z Flip 7's Flex Window software pales in comparison to the Galaxy Z Flip 6.

You used to be able to add widgets and use full-screen widgets on the cover screen. Now, you have to open the phone to add widgets, and the largest widgets (with the exception of launchers) are 2x2. As such, you can see fewer bits of information on the Galaxy Z Flip 7 cover screen than on the Galaxy Z Flip cover screen. I've hoped for updates to improve cover screen functionality, but running One UI 8.5, it's the same story.

If running full-screen apps on the cover screen and enjoying data-dense widgets are important to you, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 unfortunately isn't a real option. You'll have to go with a Motorola flip.

The folding display's aspect ratio is nearly perfect

After using the Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 7, it's clear that the wider screens can't be understated. The 6.9-inch folding display on the Galaxy Z Flip 7 measures 68.6 millimeters wide. This makes it feel just like a Galaxy S25 Edge or Galaxy S26 Plus, and the Galaxy Z Flip 7 is a joy to use as a result. Foldables typically compromised the traditional smartphone experience with narrow screens and odd aspect ratios, but the Galaxy Z Flip 7 doesn't.

Although the cover screen software leaves a lot to be desired, the Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel inside is outstanding. The aspect ratio and size are two big reasons why, but the 120Hz refresh rates and 2,600 nits of peak brightness are others. This is more like a slab phone you can fold in half, rather than a flip phone with a cover screen designed to keep you from opening it. A year with the Galaxy Z Flip 7 taught me that Samsung and Motorola's flips might serve different audiences.

The camera sensors are lackluster, even for a foldable

Samsung's slow pace of smartphone upgrades is well documented, and the Galaxy Z Flip 7's camera system is further evidence. There's a 50MP main camera and a 12MP ultrawide camera, which isn't great compared to Motorola's dual 50MP sensors on the Razr Ultra 2026.

Yes, Motorola's phone is a year newer and more expensive, but the brand's last-gen Razr Ultra 2025 also had dual 50MP rear cameras — and it costs less than the Galaxy Z Flip 7 today. I didn't find the Galaxy Z Flip 7's camera system to be terrible, but there are certainly flip phones with better offerings.

One UI is superb and there's long software support

It's easy to forget that, outside of the Galaxy Z Flip 7's cover screen limitations, the foldable ships with great software. One UI 8 was excellent out of the box, and One UI 8.5 is better. Soon, the flip phone will get the boost to One UI 9. For a lot of people, One UI will feel smoother, cleaner, and more versatile compared to Motorola's My UX.

The big thing to remember is the phone's software support. With a seven-year guarantee, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 will get updates for years to come. The Razr Ultra 2026 is supported for less than half as long, with only three guaranteed Android OS upgrades. Especially considering the high cost of Motorola foldables, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 (and the new Galaxy Z Flip 8) feel like the better deal due to software support.

Battery life and charging could use some work

As silicon-carbon batteries become more common on phones sold in the U.S., the Galaxy Z Flip 7's battery looks worse. It's only a 4,300mAh battery with slow 25W wired charging, and no Qi2 magnets. Compared to the 5,000mAh Razr Ultra 2026, it's not even a competition. Even though the Galaxy Z Flip 7 has a larger battery than the Galaxy Z Flip 6, I found that battery life was about the same between generations.

The Galaxy Z Flip 7 might be old news with the Galaxy Z Flip 8 arriving, but that doesn't mean it's down for the count. This is still a great phone that can rival Motorola's best in a few areas. It's also woefully outdated in others. If you already have a Galaxy Z Flip 7, though, there's no need to replace it yet.

What you need to know

• Google is rolling out several smart home updates, including one for Gemini that expands its "conversational memory" to 15 minutes.
• Gemini Live arrives on first-gen Home Mini and Nest Hub devices, alongside improved Automation guidance and smart lock alerts for removed users.
• Recent updates for Google Home include Pet Memory for Gemini and Suggested Automations.

Google is rolling into the weekend with a few updates to its smart home systems that you should check your devices for.

Gemini for Home's early access is getting a few refinements this week. Google states Gemini Live is now available on first-gen speakers and displays. The patch notes list first-gen Home Mini and Nest Hubs as devices receiving Gemini Live this week. Keep in mind that only Google Home Premium subscribers can access this. On a related note, Gemini's memory is getting stronger.

Google says the AI's "conversational memory" now lasts for 15 minutes. This will be present "across the entire Gemini for Home experience." Users can follow up on something they've previously asked Gemini to do, so long as it's within those 15 minutes. Automations in the Home app will provide clearer "saving guidance." Google explains that the app will inform users if they're trying to save an automation with conditions but no starter.

Improved controls and labels for smart blinds and window coverings in Automations are included, alongside smart lock "security actions disclaimers." If users remove someone's access from their locks, the app will tell you that their passcodes "need to be changed or removed."

A July 2026 update is rolling out for Nest Cameras. This applies to the wired, third-gen Nest Cam Indoor, Nest Cam Outdoor (wired, 2nd-gen), and the Nest Doorbell (wired, third-gen). Additionally, Google now supports more of Walmart's Onn cameras: Outdoor Plug-In and Outdoor Floodlight Hardwired. Bug fixes make up the remainder of these updates, and you can view them in full.

The Home is looking smarter

This conversational memory update for Gemini reminds us of the Continued Conversations patch from April. Asking the AI to do something is common with so many smart devices to control. What can get frustrating is having to repeat yourself to a computer. Continued Conversations aims to solve that. Google said this highly requested feature helps Gemini "remember" what's going on. It helps make the experience seamless, which is another area Google's been working on.

Gemini would keep its mic open for a few extra seconds, in case there's something to add. This memory upgrade takes this concept and expands on it. Even after Gemini closes its mic, you can still follow up, and it'll (hopefully) remember your conversation from two minutes ago. Pet Memory was another recent patch for Gemini that lets users customize how the AI recognizes their fur babies.

Instead of the generic sentences (i.e., "dog is walking in the living room), users can let the AI know the little one's name.

What you need to know

• Rumors claim the Galaxy S27 and S27 Plus are being "tested" with a Sony camera sensor, not Samsung's ISOCELL.
• While this change has been alleged, the sensor might only deliver 50MP to the main lenses for both phones.
• Another rumor claims that Samsung is testing silicon-carbon battery tech for the Galaxy S27 series after delivering it for its 2026 foldables.

Samsung has had an eventful week with Galaxy Unpacked dropping major reveals. Settling back into things, rumors are surfacing about its next flagship phone upgrades.

Rumors have started from a couple of different sources this week. The first stems from Galaxy Club (Dutch), claiming the Galaxy S27 and Galaxy S27 Plus could receive camera tech from a new company (via GSMArena). Samsung typically swaps its in-house Exynos chips for Qualcomm when its phones launch in other markets (markets that aren't Korea or Europe). Now, rumors claim Samsung might forgo its camera sensor, ISOCELL, in favor of Sony's.

The publication cites information from an unnamed source, stating this swap to Sony is being "tested" for the S27 and S27 Plus' main sensor. Early tests show this sensor would arrive as 50MP, and that's only if testing goes well and we see this through to fruition. Galaxy S27 rumors don't end there, as tipster Lanzuk on Naver (Korean) states the phones could get a familiar battery upgrade.

Lanzuk claims silicon-carbon battery tech is currently "undergoing application testing" for Samsung's next phones. While it's easy to get excited early, Lanzuk says there are still a lot of moving parts. For one, the battery capacity has supposedly not increased. However, this could be due to the series' early stages, as "nothing is finalized."

Changes aplenty

Camera rumors haven't been shy about Samsung's S27 series. Specifically, there were reports about the Galaxy S27 Ultra's changes, which say it could sport an ISOCELL HP6 sensor. While this is an "upgrade," the device was still rumored to offer 200MP with this newer sensor. Let's not forget about the alleged "Galaxy S27 Pro." Word has it that Samsung could roll out four Galaxy S series phones next year, with the "Pro" being the new kid on the block.

The S27 Pro could feature cameras closer to the Ultra experience, but with "entirely new sensors" to switch things up. The battery rumor for the S27 series is interesting. We've heard rumors about Samsung potentially "catching up" to its competition with better, bigger batteries. Of course, we're talking about silicon-carbon batteries, but nothing's for certain. What is certain—nice to see, too—is that Samsung's latest foldables rock this new tech.

Android Central's Take

It feels like we're moving into a unique timeline for Samsung. Its foldables have gotten a battery upgrade we've been waiting on. It could've been better—cell capacity, of course. Samsung is still pretty far under its competition. I suppose having silicon-carbon tech is better than not.

What you need to know

• Google Play hosts The Auction at San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC), and there are rewards for visitors on-site and online.
• In the Play Store app, Play Points members Gold or higher can claim an exclusive digital case of rewards for a chance to score prizes.
• If you're at SDCC, Google Play encourages users to get their custom tote bag and unique keychain charms at the charms bar.
• The Auction runs from July 23 to July 25, and the final day at 5 pm PT is when the auction gets underway, hosted by Quenlin Blackwell.

SDCC (San Diego Comic Con) is underway, and Google Play is there to take in the sights while also giving away rewards for users on-site and online.

Google announced that it's hosting The Auction at SDCC, and people can snag perks and rewards to celebrate. If you're unable to make it to the San Diego area for the festivities, Google Play Points members can still have fun. Google states that users will find "Digital reward cases." For Gold Plus members, "can unlock an exclusive digital rewards case on Google Play for a special chance to score points boosters and surprise collectibles." Keep in mind, this includes Gold, Platinum, and Diamond Play Points members.

You can find these cases in the You or Perks tab in Play Points. The Special Event—Comic-Con in San Diego case ends on August 10, per the app.

Alternatively, if you're looking for "instant rewards," users can head to the Use tab to redeem "high-demand gear," like the Gen 2 Backbone One | DEATH STRANDING 2 Limited Edition controller.

Everyone who has made the trek to SDCC, Google Play is hosting The Auction. From July 23 to July 25, visitors can "step into an immersive space where tokens earned on-site are your currency." Google highlights a massive gachapon that visitors can spin for rewards. You can use your tokens to redeem a custom tote bag or "uniquely crafted keepsakes" at the venue's keychain charm bar.

Visitors can also score rewards for MARVEL Strike Force and Crunchyroll.

This all converges on a massive auction finale on July 25 at 5 pm PT hosted by Quenlin Blackwell. Visitors can bid on high-value items from an Emerald Gemagotchi Necklace with white diamond buttons on a 14K gold ball chain to a Herman Miller Vantum Gaming Chair. There's still time, and if you're not a Points member yet, get going.

Peep the rewards

Buying in-game items and other items through the Google Play Store helps you rack up points. In turn, these points level you up from Bronze to Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond. In September, Google revamped Play Points, introducing new rewards. The inclusion of more prizes was for users in the U.K. Google teamed up with YouTube, Chrome, and developers to curate accessories and clothing options for points holders.

Shortly after, in December, Google Play Points brought the Pixel 10 Pro into the mix with a decent discount. If you had the points, you could get $250 off the Pixel 10 Pro, which knocked it down to $749 on the Google Store. However, the company said some users might've been eligible for an extra $200, knocking it down to $549. This was a promotion Google ran from December 15-27, so if you were there (and interested), it was a joy.

Android Central's Take

I would give my personal take on this, but you already know I'm a big comic book fan (and if you didn't... now you know). SDCC is always a great time. Seeing what's coming up from my favorite games, Marvel comics, and DC comics is a highlight. But please excuse me, I'm getting my rewards on Google Play.

The new and improved Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 is set to hit store shelves on August 7th, and the preorder deals are pouring in. Most of these early promotions will get you the innovative foldable for cheaper than its $1,899 asking price, but there are only two ways to get the Z Fold 8 for completely free — if you can meet the eligibility requirements.

AT&T and T-Mobile are both running deals that give you up to $1,900 of credit when you add a qualified line and trade in an old or broken device. The deals aren't for everyone, but if you have a relatively new Android phone lying around and you're interested in updating your wireless plan, that's enough of a promotional discount to make the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 totally free. 

2 ways to make your Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 preorder FREE

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 totally changes up the design of Samsung's long-running Z Fold series of foldable phones, introducing a new "passport-style" form factor with an upgraded Snapdragon chipset, 4,800mAh battery, and a breathtaking inner AMOLED display with a nearly-invisible crease. You also get all of the latest Galaxy AI features, incredible cameras, and seven years of OS and security upgrades guaranteed. 

At $1,900 for the 256GB version, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is also far from cheap, but preorder opportunities like the deals listed above should seriously soften the blow. After all, the innovative foldable hasn't even been officially released yet, so I'll take about any offer I can get.

What you need to know

• Google is rolling out Fitbit Air firmware version 253.2, but don't expect new features.
• This update focuses entirely on reliability and minor bug fixes.
• Google advises installing the update during the day or evening, as updating around midnight can temporarily throw off your daily step count.

Google has begun rolling out a new software update for the Fitbit Air. However, this release is solely focused on reliability and not on new features.

The company officially describes the update as containing only “minor bug fixes,” but it does not say what those fixes are. This is the second firmware release for the wearable, following the initial update last month. In its community post, Google says firmware version 253.2 is being rolled out to devices over the next few days.

Before you begin the installation process, Google says to make sure your Fitbit Air is charged or plugged into its charger and has at least 50% battery. You also have to keep the wearable connected to a phone or tablet via Bluetooth and have the latest version of the Google Health app on your device.

It also matters when you install. Google recommends updating your device during the day or in the evening, not at midnight, as updating late at night could make that day’s step count appear inaccurate temporarily.

Installation takes about 10 minutes to complete. First, open the Google Health app with your Fitbit Air nearby and tap Update on the Today tab. You can also tap on Update in the top left corner under Connections and then tap on your device.

Just keep the Google Health app open and keep your Fitbit close to your phone or tablet until the progress bar is complete.

Android Central's Take

I get that Google is finally shipping an update instead of leaving early buyers hanging, but “bug fixes and general improvements” has become one of the most overused phrases in tech. If this update really helps with automatic workout detection, Google should just say so. People don't buy fitness trackers so they can decipher vague changelogs. They buy them because they want reliable health tracking without babysitting it.

Google's video-generation AI models are finally getting the Nano Banana treatment. Gemini Omni powers video creation in the Gemini app and replaces Veo. Now, the Gemini Omni model is coming to the Create tab of the Google Photos app. A new Video Remix feature helps you take simple video clips and transform them into something new using Gemini Omni, all without leaving Google Photos.

I gave it a shot, and while it's not a replacement for the full Omni experience in the Gemini app, Video Remix is pretty fun to use. You select a 10-second video clip, choose a Remix template, and wait for the reimagined video to generate. The results were better than I expected, even if I wish Video Remix supported longer clips. Here's how you can try Video Remix for yourself.

What you need to get started with Video Remix

Although the Video Remix experience is powered by Gemini Omni, you won't find it in the Gemini app. Instead, you can use Video Remix in the Create tab of the Google Photos app. It lives alongside Photo Remix and Reimagine, with the key difference being that Video Remix is made for short clips. Specifically, you can select a 10-second portion of a video to change using Omni and Video Remix.

Video Remix uses the following prompt templates to shake up your clips:

• Relight my video with a morning glow
• Add doodles to my video
• Set my video in a greenhouse
• Give my video an orange sunset glow
• Add shifting laser light strobes
• Paint my video in dreamy watercolor
• Make my video look like pixel art
• Give my video a tropical sunset background
• Put my video in a gritty subway scene
• Cast a magic hour haze in my video
• Cast my video in cool blue hour tones
• My video as a stop-motion sketch
• Turn my video into a moving oil painting
• Put my video in a Mediterranean villa
• Give my video a golden hour glow

As you can see, Video Remix templates vary from offering subtle lighting changes and background swaps to completely remaking clips in selected art styles. Google says that stable and steady videos work best with Video Remix, and warns that it might not always work as expected or could include audio.

For now, Video Remix is rolling out for paid Google AI subscribers. It's available in the following countries:

• US
• Argentina
• Bangladesh
• Brazil
• Colombia
• Egypt
• India
• Indonesia
• Japan
• Mexico
• Pakistan
• Philippines
• South Korea
• Turkey

If you're located in one of the above countries and have a Google AI Plus, AI Pro, or AI Ultra account, you're ready to start using Video Remix in Google Photos.

How I use Video Remix to reimagine my photos

I take a bunch of videos I rarely revisit, so I thought using Video Remix could be a fun way to play around with clips lying dormant in my Google Photos library. I had videos of dolphins from a boating trip and Meta Oakley clips from summer runs, and I used Video Remix to change them up. Here's how I did it, and how you can too:

1. Open the Google Photos app.

2. Tap Create.

3. Press Video remix.

4. Choose a template.

5. Select a video from your Photos library.

6. If your video is longer than 10 seconds, use the grab handles to select a section of the video to remix. Then, press Generate.

7. Wait for the clip to process. This may take up to two minutes. When finished, play the Video Remix output and press Save to add it to your library.

Now, you've created your first Video Remix. You can try again if the results didn't turn out as you expected, or choose a different prompt to get a new output.

Everything I made with Video Remix in Google Photos

Despite the short maximum video length, Video Remix's results were impressive. For my first test, I tried taking a POV-style video from one of my runs and turning it into a watercolor moving painting. Gemini Omni certainly nailed the effect, as you can see below.

However, the output felt too cartoonish for my liking. I tried the doodle Video Remix template next, hoping it would be more tasteful. The output was my favorite of all. It livened up a video of myself running across a bridge with sketched stars, outlines, and arrows. What was a mundane running clip turned into something ready for socials, which is the entire point of Video Remix.

For those that want an even subtler effect, there are lighting templates for Video Remix. I used the morning glow template on a video of dolphins popping out of the water, and it definitely changed the clip's appearance. See for yourself in the video below.

All told, Video Remix does what it says it'll do — unless there are human faces involved. In some cases, Video Remix won't generate a clip if it thinks there are faces of minors in the original video. This certainly makes sense for safety reasons, but it doesn't always get it right. Even when generating remixes of videos containing adult faces, the outputs don't usually match the original subject closely.

When to use Video Remix in Photos instead of Omni in Gemini

The Omni model in the Gemini app should still be your go-to for new video generations. However, for making small changes to existing clips, Video Remix in Google Photos is the better choice. I'd like to see Video Remix support longer clips and expand access to free Photos users. For now, it's still a great option for Google AI subscribers.

What you need to know

• The European Commission issued its first-ever Digital Markets Act fines against Google, totaling €890 million ($1 billion) for anticompetitive practices.
• Search took the biggest hit, with Google fined €460 million for allegedly giving its own services preferential placement over rival platforms.
• Google Play wasn't spared either, as the EU fined the company €430 million for restricting developers from steering users to cheaper payment options outside the Play Store.

Google’s battles with European regulators are far from over. After recently losing its fight against the EU’s record €4.1 billion antitrust fine over Android's market dominance, the European Commission has now issued its first fines against the company under the Digital Markets Act (DMA).

The EU announced that it has fined the company €890 million (around $1 billion), saying that Google broke the Digital Markets Act (DMA) by giving its own services an unfair advantage in Search, and limiting how Android developers can reach customers outside the Play Store.

The penalties are divided into two parts. Google was fined €460 million for allegedly favoring its products, including Shopping, Hotels, Transport, and Sports results, over rival services in Google Search. EU regulators said that Google's services were consistently given better placement and richer visual treatment than rival services, making it harder for competitors to get visibility.

The second fine, worth €430 million, was imposed on Google Play. The Commission said Google blocked developers from directing users freely to cheaper offers or alternative payment methods outside the Play Store. Under the DMA, developers should be able to promote those options without facing restrictive conditions, and Google’s steering-related fees were also found to be higher than what regulators consider acceptable.

These are the first fines that Google has received under the DMA, Europe’s landmark law aimed at reigning in the power of the biggest “gatekeepers” in the tech industry. The ruling also orders Google to change its Search ranking practices and its Play Store policy to comply with the law. Failure to take corrective action within 60 days can result in additional penalties based on the company’s global revenue.

Android Central has contacted Google for a statement and will update this article when we hear back. Anyway, the tech giant is expected to appeal the decision but will continue discussing possible compliance measures with regulators.

Android Central's Take

I don’t think most people will lose sleep over Google getting another billion dollar fine, but if these rulings push Google to give developers more freedom and make Search a little fairer, that’s ultimately a win for users. At the same time, I can’t help but notice the pattern here: Google changes its products, regulators object, Google appeals, and the process repeats itself. For years, you’d think we’d be talking about lasting fixes after billion-euro penalties instead of another chapter in the same regulatory saga.

The Galaxy Watch 9 is now on sale globally, and while it has a slightly bigger battery and runs Qualcomm's silicon, the design is identical to last year. Samsung didn't change too much with the smartwatch, and it's the software where the brand focused most of its attention.

If anything, it's the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 that got most of the upgrades this time, and that's also understandable — last year's model missed out on any new changes. By that logic, Samsung should offer meaningful upgrades with the Galaxy Watch 10 next year, and while there isn't much in the way of information about the smartwatch at this moment in time, that will change over the coming months. In the meantime, I'm listing a few features that I want to see in next year's smartwatch.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 10: Pricing and availability

Samsung increased prices across the board this year, with the 40mm Galaxy Watch 9 starting at $379 (a $30 increase from last year), and the 44mm starting at $409 (also $30 higher than last year). The LTE models got the same $30 price hike, and while smartwatches aren't quite as affected by the RAM and storage crisis, it is entirely likely that the Galaxy Watch 10 will see a similar uptick in pricing.

That's just the way the industry is going, and with the RAM shortage set to continue well into 2027 and beyond, we could see brands raise prices next year as well. Obviously, it's too early to talk about what the Galaxy Watch 10 could cost, but I'm predicting a $399 starting price.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 10: What I want to see

The one upgrade I want on the Galaxy Watch 10 is improved battery life. Samsung put a massive battery in the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 while somehow making it thinner, so it shouldn't be difficult to do the same with the Galaxy Watch 10. While the Galaxy Watch 9 lasts two days, I want to see at least three days before needing to charge the smartwatch, and this is something Samsung needs to address next year.

In a similar vein, I want charging to be faster; Samsung doesn't quite do enough in this area, and that needs to change in 2027. I also want Samsung to increase durability to 10ATM, just like the Watch Ultra 2. A better selection of colors would be nice, as Samsung doesn't make all color variants available in all regions.

Also, we need a model with a rotating bezel. I still don't get why Samsung doesn't offer this as standard on one of the Galaxy Watch 9 models, and there isn't a Classic option this time either. Samsung must've noticed that the rotating bezel is an oft-requested feature from long-time users, so it isn't quite clear why the brand doesn't prioritize it.

Where Samsung has an advantage is with the software, and this year saw an influx of AI-assisted features. Of course, this isn't just with the smartwatches, with Samsung heavily pushing Galaxy AI on the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra and Z Fold 8. It is likely that Samsung will continue to lean into AI with next year's devices as well.

There's higher-than-usual interest in the Galaxy Watch 10 given that this year's model didn't have many upgrades, and I will update this post as soon as we have any tangible information around the 2027 model. In the meantime, if you need a smartwatch, the Galaxy Watch 9 is the best bet.

After weeks and months of leaks, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 series is finally official. Samsung took the wraps off the lineup at its Galaxy Unpacked event in London on July 22, 2026, launching a new set of foldables. There's the Galaxy Z Fold 8, the "wider" of the two, which is set to take on the foldable iPhone arriving later this year, and then there's what Samsung calls its "Ultra Foldable," the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is the successor to last year's Galaxy Z Fold 7. This new "Ultra" foldable retains many of the same elements as last year's book-style foldable, but there are plenty of upgrades underneath that make it an even more compelling option this year.

And while it previously seemed like there wouldn't be much competition in the book-style foldable space in the U.S. this year, that's not quite the case. Motorola has also entered the ring with its Razr Fold.

So if you're wondering what sets the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra and the Moto Razr Fold Ultra apart, and how the two compare, here's everything you need to know.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra vs. Motorola Razr Fold: Pricing and availability

Motorola officially launched the Razr Fold in the U.S. on April 29, 2026. The book-style foldable is available for $1,899. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, on the other hand, is the more premium of the two, carrying a starting price of $2,099.

While Samsung has raised the price of its "taller" book-style foldable, Motorola has undercut the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra by $200, which is a sizable gap. On top of that, the Razr Fold comes in a single configuration with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, meanwhile, starts with just 256GB of storage and only 12GB of RAM.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra vs. Motorola Razr Fold: Design and display

The Moto Razr Fold, at first glance, doesn't feel like an entirely new direction for Motorola. It sticks to the company's familiar design language, with a clean back, the Motorola's "M" logo in the center, a Razr logo at the bottom, and a squarish camera module housing the triple camera setup.

In typical Motorola fashion, the Razr Fold comes in PANTONE colors like PANTONE Blackened Blue and PANTONE Lily White. It also has slightly rounded corners, along with polished aluminum rails that complement the back panel.

On the other hand, Samsung hasn't made major design changes to the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra compared to last year's Galaxy Z Fold 7. You get a similar form factor, with a taller cover screen and a more squarish inner display, in a design with flat-edged, sharp corners.

In terms of dimensions, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is pretty much the same as its predecessor. However, Samsung has made the foldable phone even slimmer, so the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is only 4.1 mm thick when unfolded.

The Razr Fold is both thicker and heavier in comparison. It measures around 160.1 x 144.5 x 4.7 mm when unfolded and weighs 243 grams, whereas the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra comes in at only 215 grams.

As for the displays, Motorola seems to have put a lot of focus on them. The Razr Fold ships with a large 6.6-inch P-OLED cover display, which is a 10-bit panel protected by Gorilla Glass Ceramic 3.

The company claims it can hit up to 6,000 nits of peak brightness and is Pantone validated for color accuracy. It also supports Dolby Vision, but what really stands out is the 165Hz refresh rate on the cover display, something you don't usually see on foldable phones.

Inside, the Razr Fold has an 8.1-inch 2K panel. It goes up to 6,200 nits of peak brightness and supports a 120Hz refresh rate.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra keeps similar screens to last year's Galaxy Z Fold 7. That means it comes with a 6.5-inch cover Dynamic AMOLED display and an 8-inch inner display. Both displays top out at 120Hz.

The biggest upgrade this time is the less visible crease. Samsung has introduced a new Flex Titanium technology that makes the crease on the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra much less noticeable than in previous generations.

We haven't had a chance to directly compare it to the Razr Fold yet, but so far it looks pretty seamless. It's pretty similar to the improvements we have seen in other foldable phones this year, including the OPPO Find N6.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra vs. Motorola Razr Fold: Hardware and specs

At this price point, you usually expect top-tier hardware and specs, and that's exactly what you get with the Motorola Razr Fold. It ships with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chipset (not the top-end Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5), but from what we've seen, it's still a very capable chip.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, on the other hand, carries the "Ultra" price tag and comes with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy, the same chip used in the Galaxy S26 Ultra, which sits a tier above the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 on the Razr Fold.

Samsung may lose out on starting storage with the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, but it's made major strides elsewhere on the internal hardware front. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra finally brings a much larger 5,000mAh cell, which is the biggest battery jump we've seen on a Samsung foldable in the last five years. It also supports up to 45W wired fast charging.

That said, the Motorola Razr Fold one-ups the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra here, packing a massive 6,000mAh battery, the largest we've seen on a foldable in the U.S. market. On top of that, it supports 80W wired charging and 50W wireless charging, something most foldables still don't come close to.

Another hardware advantage for Motorola is the stylus support. The Razr Fold supports the Moto Pen Ultra, which you can use for note-taking or doodling on the large inner display. It's sold separately for around $100, but the phone supports it natively. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra does not support the S Pen.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra vs. Motorola Razr Fold: Cameras

Coming to the camera setup, the Moto Razr Fold features a triple camera system on the back. It includes a 50MP primary sensor, a 50MP ultra-wide with a 122-degree field of view, and a 50MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, which Motorola says can go up to 100x super zoom.

On the front, the cover display houses a 32MP selfie camera, while the inner display uses a 20MP sensor. In terms of video, the Razr Fold supports up to 8K at 30fps and 4K at up to 60fps.

For the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, Samsung has stuck with the same 200MP primary sensor we first saw on the Galaxy Z Fold 7 last year. There are major changes to the ultra-wide sensor this time around, though, as it jumps from 12MP to 50MP. The 3x telephoto sensor, however, remains unchanged at 10MP.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra vs. Motorola Razr Fold: Which foldable phone is better?

The Moto Razr Fold might be Motorola's first move into the book-style foldable market, but the company has been making foldables for over seven years now, and the Razr Fold looks like a strong entry.

It brings a large display, a big battery with some of the fastest wired charging we've seen on a foldable (even compared to many flagship phones), along with a capable triple camera setup and stylus support, making it a pretty compelling option.

And that $1,899 price tag honestly can't be ignored either. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra isn't a bad foldable by any means, but a higher starting price than last year, less RAM in the base model, and no S Pen support, despite the upgrades to the battery, charging speeds, and cameras, all make it a tougher sell.

That said, we'll be going hands-on with both devices and comparing them more deeply in the coming days, so stay tuned.

What you need to know

• Google introduces Selfie Video, a new secure sign-in method to log into your account.
• Users will be required to set up a Selfie Video initially, running through Google's guided instructions before it's saved.
• Signing into your account with Selfie Video will compare your new recording with the initial one for verification.

As far as device security goes, or even account security, biometrics are unique. Google wants to advance that by using your face.

Google announced that it's adding a new way for users to sign into their accounts this week. Selfie Video is a method that will join Google's more security-conscious methods for account sign-in. Setting up Selfie Video is fairly straightforward. Google says it will walk you through the head movements you need to make so its software can "capture multiple angles" of your face. The Selfie Video you record initially is the original.

After you're done and you're looking to sign into your account, you can record a "new" Selfie Video. Google says it will compare the current video to your first one to verify you.

There are a few other ways users can sign into their Google Accounts. The company states Selfie Videos are here in case you're locked out. If you've forgotten your password or "don’t have access to your usual phone or computer," Selfie Video could help. Security—personal privacy, really—is an area Google knows is important to users. The announcement highlights the user's control over their video.

Your capture will be saved (and encrypted) on Google's servers "with your consent." Google says your video is saved for sign-in purposes "unless you opt to share it for additional purposes." What's more, users can delete their saved video at any time. It adds that when you call on Selfie Video for verification, Google deploys several layers of defense to protect your account from deep fakes, fake photos, and videos.

If Selfie Videos are your jam, you can get it set up.

Take a selfie

Passkeys are probably the most recognizable "strong" sign-in method that Google Accounts offer users. We've had passkeys as an option for personal accounts since 2023. The idea is to give passwords a nice (quiet) way out. Of course, you can still sign into your account with your password, but Google's kept pushing passkeys. This new security tech is reportedly 40% faster than typing your password. Passkeys were developed with the FIDO Alliance and are used across websites and apps.

Another good reason to rely on a passkey is that it can't be phished or stolen. Plus, you don't have to remember anything (phew!). It's worth remembering that since passkeys are a new security method, they've got their issues.

What you need to know

• Samsung has extended the Galaxy Watch 9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 to five major Wear OS upgrades.
• The new watches launch with Wear OS 7 and One UI 9, meaning software support should continue through 2031.
• Samsung likely enabled the longer support thanks to the new 3nm Snapdragon Wear Elite chip.

Samsung has expanded the Galaxy Watch 9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2's Wear OS software support to five years.

Samsung announced the Galaxy Watch 9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 alongside its new Galaxy Z Fold 8 series at Galaxy Unpacked in London on July 22. While the new foldable phones grabbed most of the attention, Samsung's latest smartwatches also bring some meaningful upgrades, including larger batteries across both models.

But there are even more improvements that Samsung didn't spend much time talking about during the keynote, and one of them is the software update policy.

Samsung has already been one of the best Android smartwatch makers when it comes to software support. Until now, the company promised four major Wear OS upgrades and five years of security updates for its Galaxy Watches.

For comparison, Google currently offers only three years of software updates for the Pixel Watch lineup, so Samsung was already ahead on that front.

With the Galaxy Watch 9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, Samsung has taken things a step further. As first spotted by SamMobile, the company has expanded the update policy to five major Wear OS upgrades, while continuing to offer five years of security updates.

That's one additional major OS upgrade over previous Galaxy Watches. It's also worth noting that both watches ship with One UI 9 based on Wear OS 7 out of the box. Assuming Samsung sticks to its promise, these watches should continue receiving major Wear OS updates through 2031, which would presumably take them to Wear OS 12.

Samsung didn't really highlight this during the launch event, but it's likely that the new Snapdragon Wear Elite chipset is one of the reasons behind the extended support. The new chip is built on a 3nm process and is claimed to deliver up to 32% better performance than the previous generation.

For anyone considering a new smartwatch, that's one more reason to look at Samsung's latest lineup. The Galaxy Watch 9 starts at $380 in the U.S., while the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is priced at $700. Both smartwatches will be available starting August 7.

What you need to know

• Following Galaxy Unpacked, all eyes are on Samsung's foldables, and Honor is putting its Magic V6 against the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra.
• The company highlights its large 6,660mAh battery using silicon-carbon tech; however, Samsung has adopted this tech, but for a smaller 5,000mAh cell.
• Honor also highlights its device durability despite being quite thin, alongside faster charging speeds, and strong iOS, Mac, and Windows connectivity.

We're still trying to collect ourselves and regroup after Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked yesterday. However, Honor, like all of us, was watching, and it wants to go head-to-head: putting its Magic V6 against the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra.

Honor has a clear vision it wants to bring into reality with its foldables. In a press release, it told Android Central that "Foldables are evolving rapidly, and we believe side-by-side testing can provide consumers with the clearest picture of what matters..." There's a lot we can get overwhelmed with after Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra; however, one area my colleague Nicholas Sutrich and I are the most interested in is its battery.

Honor's Magic V6 features a 6,660mAh battery with 80W wired and 66W wireless charging capabilities. For comparison, the Fold 8 Ultra from Samsung only offers a 5,000mAh battery, a 600mAh improvement over the Fold 7 (which it succeeds). What's more, Samsung is still playing it "safe" (one could say), offering 45W wired and 20W wireless charging.

The company then highlights the technology it's incorporated into its foldable batteries, as this area is often a "major compromise," per its press release. Honor highlights the use of silicon batteries to solve this common issue.

Another area that Honor's side-by-side comparison stands a hair higher than the Fold 8 Ultra is its display. While the numbers are fairly close, Honor states the Magic V6 boasts a 1.5% "low reflectivity" screen. Moreover, its Pocket AI workstation incorporates seamless iOS, Mac, and Windows connectivity, and "one-tap" share for photos and more on iPhones and Macs.

This or that

While the choice is always up to the consumer on which device suits them, it's not all bad for Samsung. With its Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Fold 8 Ultra, Samsung also uses silicon-carbon battery technology. This technology improves on what we already come to expect from batteries in our phones. Silicon-carbon tech packs more capacity into the same space. In short, you can have a larger cell without a thicker phone (and we know Samsung likes thin phones). The Fold 8 Ultra features a 5,000mAh battery, while the wider Fold 8 offers a 4,800mAh cell.

The good news is the devices are relatively thin. But what's interesting is how long it's taken Samsung to offer a boost to an area that matters. As Sutrich reminded me, Honor's Magic V3 from 2024 had a 5,080mAh battery. Those totals have only grown.

Durability is another area in which Honor highlights its strengths. The Magic V6 is thin, but it rocks durability like no other. Both sides have made great improvements to their hinge technology, so the choice is truly yours.

Android Central's Take

There are other areas where Honor's Magic V6 outperforms the Galaxy Z Fold 8. If you look at its selfie camera, the Magic V6 offers two 20MP lenses, while the Fold 8 settles for dual 10MP. However, the Fold 8's main camera is 200MP. Honor's is 60MP, but it beats its competitor's telephoto with 64MP. You can like both phones. I certainly do. Both foldables stand tall on their own in their own way.

What you need to know

• Ultrahuman announced the Emerald update for its app, which brings a "decision engine," known as UltraSphere.
• UltraSphere can deliver over 60 "Next Best Action" suggestions to users based on their location, weather, profile, and biomarkers (sleep, HRV, recovery, etc.).
• Other updates involve VO2 Max algorithm updates, heart rate accuracy improvements, and enhanced workout detection.
• The Emerald update is rolling out today (July 23) globally.

Ultrahuman pushes its smart rings and users to be better in health and fitness. But the company isn't done, and its major app overhaul today (July 23) is the largest in its history.

The Emerald update is rolling out for the Ultrahuman app late this week. The company highlights "15 new and overhauled features" in this patch, but the star is the "decision engine," UltraSphere. The app sports several UI refinements in this patch. The company states it redesigned its UI for clarity for "health data and to promote better decisions." Users receive light and dark modes, a Jade AI tab, and "timely" information in the Ring tab.

UltraSphere is the centerpiece of the Emerald update and the app's homescreen. Ultrahuman says this is a "decision engine that generates 60+ Next Best Actions, such as boosting energy and alertness, winding down, and promoting more restful, restorative sleep." UltraSphere doesn't do it alone, as the press release states it leverages Jade AI to draw on your markers from sleep, recovery, HRV, cycle phase, and more.

Mohit Kumar, Ultrahuman's CEO, states, "All wearable trackers generate data. Data is empowering, but people do need something more than a number – they want to know what to do." In that spirit, UltraSphere delivers its suggestions based on your location and weather, circadian rhythm, and profile.

If you're a parent or someone working the night shift, UltraSphere would tailor its suggestions to fit that lifestyle. A "Next Best Action" suggestion might include "Get Light," which would tell the user to "Step outside for a few minutes soon after waking. Morning light sets the body clock so users feel alert today and fall asleep more easily."

Your heart and VO2 Max

The Emerald update makes two important changes to the app's tracking and accuracy. Ultrahuman says its Ring runs all of its processes on your device. This was done to keep your insights available without a connection.

The latter focuses on workout analysis and heart-rate accuracy with the Ring Pro and Air. Automatic workout detection and tagging have been improved. Heart rate details take a few steps up in this update, too. The Ultrahuman app also welcomes third-party devices for workout tracking. It highlights many GPS sports watches like the Apple Watch, Garmin, WHOOP, and others.

Ultrahuman is putting its VO2 Max capabilities in the spotlight, boasting a 21% increase in accuracy. The company credits a major algorithm, which has been "validated" against gold-standard CPET lab tests. The Emerald update for the Ultrahuman app is rolling out globally today (July 23). While we've covered a few important updates here, there are several more you'll also find: Sleep Screener, Longevity tab, Connections, Windows, Live View, Today's Activity, Today's Activity, Contextual Content, Goals, and PowerPlugs.

What you need to know

• Google says Chrome on Android now experiences 48% fewer scroll stutters than in 2023.
• The improvements are the result of nearly three years of engineering work.
• Google redesigned several parts of Chrome's rendering pipeline to achieve this.

If you've felt lately that the Chrome app on Android is smoother while scrolling through articles (like this one, even), it's probably because you're using the end result of three years of engineering work behind the scenes at Google.

While Google may be focusing heavily on new AI features, like bringing more Gemini into Chrome, there are also plenty of other improvements the company has been quietly working on for Chrome on Android. Take, for example, that split-second stutter you sometimes notice when scrolling through a webpage before it carries on as normal, which Google internally calls "scroll jank."

In a new engineering blog post, Google says Chrome on Android now experiences 48% fewer janky scrolls than it did back in late 2023.

According to Google, scroll jank happens when Chrome fails to update the page quickly enough to keep up with your finger. Even though the delay may only last a fraction of a second, it's still enough for the human eye to notice, making the whole scrolling experience feel jerky.

The company says that getting rid of those interruptions wasn't as simple as making Chrome faster. Google explains that Chrome's rendering pipeline is far more complex than a typical Android app because the browser spreads work across multiple processes for security and stability. That means there are far more opportunities for tiny delays to build up before a frame finally appears on screen.

To tackle the problem, Google first spent months instrumenting Chrome's rendering pipeline to identify exactly where scroll stutters were occurring.

It then introduced a series of architectural improvements over the following years, including rerouting touch input through a faster path, reducing communication delays between browser processes, and moving more work onto the GPU.

Google also worked alongside Android itself to prioritize the operating system's input threads, helping touch events reach Chrome more consistently, thus helping it produce frames more reliably.

Google went into a lot more depth about exactly how it fixed all this, but I won't bore you with the technical details. In case you've been wondering why Chrome doesn't feel so bad on Android anymore, this is why your feed might feel a little less jumpy than it did a couple of years ago.

Considering that we called the Galaxy Watch 8 the 'best Android smartwatch of 2025', it's no surprise that we've been eagerly awaiting the launch of the new Samsung Galaxy Watch 9. Now the big day has arrived, and Samsung's newest flagship wearable doesn't disappoint. 

The only problem is that the new smartwatch is a bit more expensive than its predecessor, which is why I was excited to see Amazon offer a free $50 gift card when you preorder the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 ahead of its August 7th release date.  

Preorder the Galaxy Watch 9 and Amazon will give you a $50 gift card

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 may not look that different from its predecessor at first glance, but there are some significant improvements when you dig in a bit deeper. The 2026 watch is driven by the new Snapdragon Wear Elite chip, offering a notable performance boost when compared to the Galaxy Watch 8's Exynos processor. Battery capacity has also been upgraded, plus the Galaxy Watch 9 features all of the latest Galaxy AI features with some expanded health and fitness tracking capabilities.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 sports the exact same weight and dimensions as last year's model, which, considering how much we loved the Galaxy Watch 8, is a good thing in our eyes. The new wearable also features the same vibrant AMOLED display, 32GB of onboard storage, and dual-band GPS.

Does upgraded battery life and a new chip justify the higher price on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9? It's not for me to say. If you can find a good deal on the Galaxy Watch 8 and you don't mind using a last-gen watch, go for it. But if you want the latest and greatest model from Samsung, I can pretty much guarantee that the Galaxy Watch 9 won't disappoint. The free $50 gift card from Amazon is simply the cherry on top. 

It's official: the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 has been revealed, and there are already some exceptional preorder deals available for the folks who can't wait for the August 7th release date.

Head to T-Mobile, for instance, and you can get the innovative flip phone for as little as $100 when you trade in and add a line with the Experience Beyond or Experience More plans. Existing T-Mobile customers can also use the legacy Go5G Next or Go5G Plus plans.

T-Mobile will give you $1,100 off the new Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 when you preorder

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 looks almost identical to the Z Flip 7 at first glance, but there are a few notable improvements where it counts. The Z Flip 8 utilizes the new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, for instance, which is the same powerful processor that drives the Galaxy S26 Ultra and Z Fold 8 Ultra.

The clamshell device also features a thinner and lighter build than its predecessor, plus you get all of the latest AI-boosted software features and seven years of OS and security upgrades guaranteed. That being said, the displays and camera systems remain largely unchanged, which might make it difficult for some folks to justify the $1,199.99 price tag.

Fortunately, that's why preorder opportunities like the T-Mobile deal above are so essential. The carrier is also being pretty generous with its trade-in credit: Samsung phones dating back to the Galaxy S20 series will get you the full $1,100 of credit, while plenty of other devices from Apple, Motorola, and OnePlus are also eligible.

Excited for your new Galaxy Z Flip 8 to arrive on August 7th? Don't forget to protect your investment with one of the best Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 cases!

Now that the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 is official, we can start speculating about the Galaxy Z Flip 9. In most years, we'd have a leak or two about the next model's specs or design by now, but Z Flip 9 rumors pointin a different direction entirely: the end of the Z Flip line.

Ahead of the Galaxy Z Flip 8's announcement, one rumor claimed this would be the last of Samsung's eight-generation-long Flip phones. This comes from leaker Ice Universe, who is known for accurate information on upcoming devices, but, as with any leaked information, it could simply be from a meeting where Samsung floated the idea of ending the Z Flip line rather than a legitimate decision to end it.

While the leak didn't provide much info beyond "The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 is likely to be Samsung's last small folding product," it's highly likely a combination of waning sales and market conditions is making Samsung rethink every product it makes.

With the new smaller Galaxy Z Fold 8's arrival and the upcoming onslaught of similar "fun-sized" book-style foldables, Samsung and other players may be shifting focus away from Flip-style phones. Regardless of what happens, we'll be collecting every rumor and leak that appears between now and the expected release of the Galaxy Z Flip 9.

Galaxy Z Flip 9: Price and availability

Samsung's next folding phone announcement, which likely includes the Galaxy Z Flip 9, should take place in July 2027. Samsung has been using a mid-late Summer date for its folding phone and wearables announcements, and we expect that to continue next year.

With electronics prices continuing to rise, we also expect another price increase for the Galaxy Z Flip 9, particularly if RAM and storage prices continue to soar, as is predicted due to the AI data center boom. One of the Z Flip's biggest selling points has always been the lower price when compared to the Z Fold, and another price increase could spell trouble for the Z Flip line.

What we expect for the Galaxy Z Flip 9

It's been a while since we've seen a substantial redesign of the Z Flip series. The Z Flip 8 further reduced the thickness of the series, but since it's not quite Z Fold 8 thin, it's likely a Z Flip 9 will continue to slim down the series. Samsung has begun using silicon-carbon in its batteries (5% silicon content in the Z Flip 8), which means it can continue to increase battery capacity and decrease physical battery size, enabling thinner and lighter phones.

Since the cover display already takes up the entire front of the phone on the Z Flip 8, it's unlikely we'll see changes to it's physical appearance on a Flip 9. Samsung's new titanium screen protection substantially reduced the inner crease on the Z Fold 8 series, and a Flip 9 would do well with a further decreased crease, as well.

There's been word that the Galaxy S26 Ultra's Privacy Display will begin making its way to other Samsung phones in 2027, and that could include the company's premium-level foldables like a Galaxy Z Flip 9. Even if this phone doesn't get that tech, it needs to address the PWM rate, as Samsung has fallen substantially behind rivals in eye care features like this.

I'd also love to see Samsung add a telephoto camera to the Z Flip 9. Basically all flip-style phones include a main and an ultrawide camera, but few have tried to offer some kind of "Pro-level zoom" as a non-folding flagship would at this price range.

It'll be a while before we can start feeling sure of Samsung's direction for the next Z Flip phone, but you'd better believe we'll have everything you need to know about it right here as the rumors and leaks roll in over the next year.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 just doubled its chances of success with a new shorter, wider model, and that gets us excited to see what Samsung is cooking for the Z Fold 9 series. This year may be all about the new form factor, but we're hoping next year shores up some of the obvious weak points of Samsung's most premium folding phones.

Right now, we're looking at a laundry list of wishes and additions we'd love to see, from an Ultra-style wider Fold 9 to the return of the S Pen, better cameras, and improved battery capacity. Plus, with Samsung's especially close relationship with Google these days, there's definitely going to be new AI-powered software tricks and features that we don't expect.

But until Samsung officially announces it, here's everything we know so far (and hope to see) about the Galaxy Z Fold 9 series.

Galaxy Z Fold 9: Price and availability

If 2026 will go down in history for any one thing, it's the mega inflation rate for RAM and storage components. Fueled by the massive AI data center boom, component prices are skyrocketing, and the prices are expected to double again by the end of 2027 unless something drastic changes.

That means the expected Summer 2027 launch of the Galaxy Z Fold 9 series will come well before the peak of component price increases, forcing Samsung to increase prices yet again for the launch. We'll keep a sharp eye on this one, for sure, but things aren't looking up for a downward trend in this realm of things.

What changes can we expect for the Galaxy Z Fold 9?

Now that Samsung has firmly planted its flag with dual Fold models, we expect the company to reveal its full plans for the future of Z Fold design in 2027. The wider, shorter Z Fold 8 is expected to take home the lion's share of sales, and that may mean Samsung launches additional models in 2027.

Last year, Samsung experimented with the Galaxy Z TriFold, the company's first folding phone with two hinges and three displays. While that phone's availability was short-lived, we know Samsung is working on a successor, which likely means a Galaxy Z TriFold 9 or a similar naming convention.

Depending on how well the wider Galaxy Z Fold 8 sells, Samsung could also deliver a more powerful Wide Fold next year. This means a Galaxy Z Fold 9 Ultra that uses the shorter, wider form factor of the Z Fold 8, all with better camera hardware and a higher-capacity battery to match the Ultra name.

It's also possible that future Ultra models will begin using Samsung's Privacy Display that debuted with the Galaxy S26 Ultra, as it's been said that this display tech will ship in more Samsung phones in 2027. Either way, we're hoping Samsung finally listens to feedback and improves it's display PWM rate and eye care features, which have fallen well behind rivals.

Many are also hoping to see a Galaxy Z Fold 9 with camera hardware that finally feels like a true flagship phone. If another round of price increases turn out to be true, it would behoove Samsung to upgrade the Z Fold 9's cameras with a telephoto camera that doesn't feel like it's from 2019. Considering Samsung looks to be adopting a horizontal Pixel-style camera bar in the Galaxy S27 series, there should be plenty of room for improved camera hardware on a similarly-designed Z Fold 9.

We should also see further improvements in battery capacity now that Samsung has finally begun adopting silicon battery technology. While rivals are reaching 30% silicon content in some models, Samsung's Z Fold 8 series uses just 5% silicon content. Samsung has been extremely shy about battery changes since the Galaxy Note 7 disaster, so we only expect a modest improvement in silicon content for the Z Fold 9 rather than something earth-shattering.

Lastly, Samsung's new Flex Titanium screen technology paved the way for thinner and stronger flexible glass on the Z Fold 8 series, which could spell a return of S Pen compatibility on the Z Fold 9. I could very well see Samsung give the taller Z Fold 9 or even a potential Z 9 TriFold this capability and call it the Galaxy Z Fold 9 Note. That would give its models an important differentiator and bring back the fan-favorite Note series, making it a must-have phone for tech lovers.

What you need to know

• Samsung has opened its application period to consumers looking to grab its first credit card: the Galaxy Card.
• Consumers can get this digitally or physically in a black metal design, thanks to a Barclays U.S. Consumer Bank partnership.
• The Galaxy Card offers a series of cash rewards for consumers, such as 5% cash rewards on eligible purchases made directly with Samsung.

There have been plenty of reveals and announcements at Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked today (July 22), but there's a little more to discuss. The company is entering the credit card world, and you can apply now.

In a press release, Samsung announced the Galaxy Card: the brand's first credit card in the U.S., which delivers "a new way for users to earn cash rewards across everyday purchases and the Galaxy ecosystem." The Galaxy Card is available as a virtual and a premium black metal card. As one would expect, the card is designed to fully support Samsung Wallet. The Galaxy Card was made in partnership with Barclays U.S. Consumer Bank operating on the Visa network.

This partnership is said to help offer "innovative payment options" for Samsung's consumer base.

The company states the Galaxy Card has a $0 annual fee. Rewards are a major aspect of Samsung's first credit card. Consumers will receive 5% cash rewards on eligible purchases made directly with Samsung. What's more, you could receive 20% off Samsung VIP Advantage, as well as 5% cash rewards "when purchasing or renewing a Samsung VIP Advantage membership." The remaining cash rewards are as follows:

• 3% cash rewards on purchases made with Samsung Wallet
• 2% cash rewards on streaming services, like Netflix, Disney Plus, and Spotify
• 1% cash rewards on all other purchases
• $200 cash reward after spending $2,000 in the first 90 days

Galaxy Card and new products

Applications for the Samsung Galaxy Card have opened today (July 22). The company lined up this open period with Galaxy Unpacked, which showed off new smartwatches and foldables.

It's been a while, but Samsung's new credit card was talked about before. Originally, nothing was confirmed. There was a report late last year that said Samsung had approached Barclays to create a card of its own. The alleged name was similar to what was announced, rumored to be the "Samsung Card." Early reports claimed Samsung would offer cashback on its devices and appliances, alongside "digital prepaid accounts."

This had us thinking Samsung was looking to compete against Apple, which has a card it offers consumers. Samsung has continued to refine its payment experience, whether digital or a physical card that we've now received.

What you need to know

• OpenAI is addressing a severe AI security flaw with Hugging Face that occurred during a simple "model evaluation."
• It discovered that GPT‑5.6 Sol and other pre-release models were involved in this incident, relentlessly breaching nodes and exploiting zero-day vulnerabilities until it gained internet access.
• OpenAI states it is committed to partnering and working with Hugging Face and others to solve this problem and roll out protections.

After what appears to be an "unprecedented cyber incident," OpenAI is getting candid about a nasty AI security incident during a "model evaluation."

A recent security incident involving an autonomous AI gave AI Hugging Face quite the scare. Now, OpenAI is discussing what its investigation into the matter uncovered as it partners with Hugging Face to develop protections. OpenAI explains that the incident occurred "during an internal evaluation which prompts models to pursue advanced exploitation using complex attack paths, in an effort to quantify their cyber capabilities."

These tests typically run in a "highly isolated environment," but some AI models broke through. Another unnerving discovery is that the AI models involved in the incident were OpenAI's GPT‑5.6 Sol and other pre-release models.

OpenAI says the models in question became "hyperfocused" on finding a solution for ExploitGym, and it went to "extreme lengths" to discover one. To solve the problem, OpenAI found that the AI would relentlessly pursue a way to access the internet. In doing so, the AI models found and exploited a reported zero-day vulnerability. Once the AI broke its isolation and got access to the internet, it was over.

OpenAI says, "the models inferred that Hugging Face potentially hosted models, datasets, and solutions for ExploitGym." OpenAI gives an example, stating the AI was able to "chain" attack vectors, leveraging stolen credentials and other zero-day vulnerabilities within Hugging Face's servers. The post states that Hugging Face identified the problem and launched quarantine (containment) measures, as well as the reconstruction of its open-source models to stop the problem.

Quite the fright

Hugging Face adds that it also deployed additional guardrails and "stricter admission" controls on its clusters to prevent this issue. The company also stepped up its awareness, so a "high-severity signal pages a responder in minutes, any day of the week." Hugging Face has begun working with a cybersecurity forensic specialist to conduct further investigations.

On OpenAI's side, it's working on stronger controls at an infrastructure configuration level. Partnering with Hugging Face has brought the company into its trusted access program. OpenAI says it is offering Hugging Face its support in this matter. On a related note, Hugging Face has informed its community members about a few potential next steps. Since security is a major concern, it recommends that its community members "rotate any access tokens" and review recent activity on their account.

Hugging Face remains committed to using AI as a defender for online systems. It says, "Defending an online platform now means treating the data and model surface as a first-class attack surface, and using AI on defense to keep pace. We will keep investing there, and keep sharing what we learn."

Android Central's Take

This sounds exactly like a sci-fi movie. I saw people in Hugging Face's comments mention Terminator 3... and that might be what I'm thinking of. My colleague Nicholas Sutrich said this was a "nasty AI incident." He's not wrong. These AI models were able to get free, exploit terrible flaws, and gain internet access. It was after the solution to a problem it was given. It didn't stop. Imagine that danger turned in another direction. Something much more crucial to us.

What you need to know

• Samsung fixes a major Privacy Display annoyance by limiting the privacy effect to the PiP window instead of the entire screen in One UI 9 Beta 4.
• The update allows you to watch PiP videos privately while the rest of the display stays bright and fully visible.
• The update also removes unnecessary dimming and color shifts across the whole display during PiP playback.

One of the biggest differentiators of the Galaxy S26 Ultra is Samsung’s Privacy Display, but it has also been a source of an annoying tradeoff. If you shrunk a video into a picture-in-picture (PiP) window, the privacy effect continued covering the entire display, making everything else on the screen dimmer and harder to see. The latest One UI 9 beta finally turns that on its head.

According to a video shared by reliable leaker Ice Universe, One UI 9 Beta 4 makes Privacy Display much smarter when using PiP apps. The display angle restriction is no longer applied to the entire display but is still restricted to the floating PiP window. Then you can continue watching YouTube videos or another PiP app without showing it to people around you, while using the rest of your phone normally.

This change fixes a real usability bug. Samsung’s Flex Magic Pixel technology is built right into the Galaxy S26 Ultra screen, limiting viewing angles to make the display unreadable from the side. Unlike a traditional privacy screen protector, it can be enabled only for specific apps, notifications, or password entry. The downside is it also dims the brightness and shifts colors while it's active, so having it cover the whole screen during PiP playback felt a bit too limiting.

With the new behavior, only the sensitive content within the PiP window is shielded, and the rest of the interface is displayed at normal viewing angles and brightness. The enhancement is part of One UI 9 Beta 4, which also delivers a variety of bug fixes in preparation for Samsung’s wider One UI 9 release.

Android Central's Take

This appears to be a fix for a problem that should never have existed in the first place. A privacy feature is only useful if it doesn’t get in the way of using your phone, and covering the whole screen just to protect a tiny PiP window always felt like overkill. This change finally allows Privacy Display to work as I would expect it to from day one. Now Samsung just needs to polish the experience, rather than leaving it to beta users to clean up the rough edges of features it proudly marketed as ready for flagships.

Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked event just wrapped up in London, where the company unveiled its latest lineup of foldable phones, alongside a new generation of Galaxy smartwatches. The event largely went as expected, with Samsung walking through the hardware upgrades, new AI features, and refinements across its latest devices.

But there was more to Unpacked than just new phones and wearables. Samsung quietly announced a few interesting changes, teased what's coming next, and slipped in several details that were easy to miss. If you didn't catch the event live, here are five of the biggest announcements you may have missed.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 has a new name (and shape)

This was probably the biggest surprise from Galaxy Unpacked. Despite the name, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 isn't actually the direct successor to the Galaxy Z Fold 7. That title now belongs to the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, while the regular Galaxy Z Fold 8 is an entirely new foldable with a completely different form factor.

Instead of the tall, narrow design Samsung has used since the original Galaxy Fold, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is shorter and much wider. When unfolded, it feels much closer to a compact tablet than a stretched-out phone, making it a far better fit for multitasking, reading, and watching videos.

The naming is admittedly a little confusing if you haven't been keeping up with the leaks, but after spending some hands-on time with the device, it's honestly the most interesting product Samsung announced at Unpacked.

It also feels like Samsung made this move to get ahead of Apple's rumored foldable iPhone, which is widely expected to adopt a similar passport-style design later this year. We'll be diving much deeper into this new form factor over the coming week, because I think there's a lot more to it than just a different aspect ratio.

Samsung finally adopts Silicon Carbon battery tech

It took Samsung long enough, but the company has finally joined the silicon-carbon battery club. The Galaxy Z Fold 8, Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, and Galaxy Z Flip 8 are the first Samsung phones to use the new battery technology, something Chinese smartphone makers adopted years ago.

The biggest advantage of silicon-carbon batteries is that they can pack more capacity into the same physical space. That's exactly what Samsung has done here. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra now features a 5,000mAh battery, up from the Galaxy Z Fold 7's 4,400mAh cell, while also increasing wired charging speeds to 45W.

Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra are also first Samsung foldables with (almost) crease-free displays

The new passport-style Galaxy Z Fold 8 may have grabbed most of the attention, but I actually think the displays are one of the biggest upgrades across Samsung's new foldables. More specifically, it's the inner display that's seen the biggest improvement.

Both the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra feature a much less visible crease than previous Samsung foldables. During my hands-on time, it looked very close to what Oppo achieved with the Find N6 earlier this year.

Samsung says this is thanks to its new Titanium Flex technology, which uses a redesigned titanium layer and hinge structure to reduce the appearance of the crease while improving durability.

Samsung hasn't confirmed it yet, but if recent reports are accurate, this could also be a self-repairing display layer that smooth out the crease over time.

Another underrated upgrade is the new anti-reflective coating on the inner display. Since foldable screens are still plastic, they've traditionally reflected a lot of light. That's much less of an issue this time around thanks to an anti-reflective coating that makes the display noticeably easier to use outdoors and under bright lighting.

Samsung finally adds some long-due software features with One UI 9

Samsung also showcased One UI 9, which is based on Android 17, that will debut with its new foldables.

One of the coolest additions is Fan Cam, which lets you record a video normally and then automatically track a specific person in the frame. One UI 9 then uses AI to crop the footage into social media-friendly formats like 9:16 or 1:1, making it much easier to create videos for Instagram Reels or TikTok without manually editing them later.

The Galaxy Z Flip 8 also quietly gets one of its biggest software upgrades yet. Samsung has finally unlocked the cover display, making it feel much more like a proper smartphone screen.

You can now swipe down for Quick Settings and notifications, swipe up to access the app drawer, and interact with the cover display much more naturally instead of being limited to Samsung's previous implementation.

We now know more about the Galaxy Glasses

Samsung didn't fully unveil the Galaxy Glasses at Unpacked, but the company did share a few new details about its upcoming smart glasses.

Samsung confirmed that it's working with Gentle Monster and Warby Parker on the design of the glasses, and, as expected, they'll run Android XR with Gemini at the center of the experience.

Samsung also confirmed they'll be powered by Qualcomm's AR1 Gen 1 chip and that the first generation smart glasses won't feature a display, but rather they would be AI-first smart glasses designed around voice, cameras, and Gemini.

The company also revealed that when launched, you'll be able to control the glasses using hand gestures while wearing a Wear OS smartwatch.

Samsung is still keeping the exact launch date under wraps, although it did confirm they'll arrive sometime later this year.

What you need to know

• Samsung announced during Galaxy Unpacked that the Galaxy Ring will receive Sleep Apnea detection "this fall."
• The company states that the Galaxy Ring will be the "first and only" smart ring that's available over-the-counter to receive FDA clearance for such detection.
• Samsung first cleared its Sleep Apnea detection for the Galaxy Watch in Korea in 2023 before rolling it out globally (after the FDA gave the go-ahead) in 2025.

Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked is just wrapping up in London, but the company snuck in a surprise: the Galaxy Ring is getting major sleep health clearance.

During the keynote, Samsung was covering its summer releases, and this particular section involved the Galaxy Watch 9. The company's newest "all-day, always-on for health" smartwatch has been cleared by the FDA for Sleep Apnea detection; however, Samsung says so will the Galaxy Ring. The company states, "this fall," its Galaxy Ring will be the "first and only FDA-cleared, over-the-counter ring device for Sleep Apnea risk protection."

As previously mentioned, the Galaxy Watch 9 features Sleep Apnea detection. Samsung revealed everything about the device and its Ultra 2 partner this morning (July 22). The watch's Sleep Apnea detection goes further than letting the user know a disruption took place overnight. According to Samsung, its Sleep Apnea detection features AI algorithms for "deeper insights into breathing disruptions during sleep."

This is an important highlight Samsung discussed during its Unpacked keynote, too.

Huge for the Galaxy Ring

Samsung has been down a long road for Sleep Apnea detection on its wearables. In 2023, the company's Galaxy Watch received approval from South Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety for Sleep Apnea detection, as well as blood pressure monitoring. Consumers in the U.S., and many of us here at Android Central, were eagerly awaiting (and hoping) for FDA approval, too. We had to wait until February 2024 before the FDA gave the all-clear for Samsung's Galaxy Watch detection.

While approval is all well and good, Sleep Apnea detection didn't hit our devices until 2025. The feature leverages the watch's BioActive sensor to alert the user to potential disruptions. Sleep Apnea is a serious medical condition that Samsung is trying to give users better insight into. If left unchecked, it can cause an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, heart failure, cardiac arrhythmia, and more.

Now that Samsung has worked in more of its AI algorithms, we can likely expect more detailed round-ups once this hits the Galaxy Ring. For now, we have the Galaxy Watch 9 to use and see how it works before the fall.

Android Central's Take

This stunned us during Unpacked. It's not something we were expecting, and I'm sure all eyes are on Samsung's smart ring competitors. Sleep Apnea, as I mentioned already, is a serious medical issue. If left unchecked, like anything else, it can worsen. Health awareness is never a bad thing, and for a device (a smart ring) that's already hard-focused on health, it sounds like a no-brainer.

The best Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra cases add robust shock-proofing, prevent the hinge from getting damaged, and add useful extras like a magnetic ring, screen protection, a phone holder, and a stand. Depending on the price, weight, and thinness, you can easily find a stellar Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra that has a few or all of those features.

Read all about the best Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra cases that match your requirement. I have rounded up the most reliable options right here in this guide.

Level up your Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra's impact protection with these cases

• Back to the top ^

Incredible Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra cases exist, but most of them are priced around the $100 mark

From cases that glow in the dark and have grippy sides to cases that have kickstands and really powerful magnets, the best Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra cases don't fall short of our expectations. They do, however, almost all cost an arm and a leg to acquire. Fortunately, brands like Spigen exist, making affordable Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra cases priced around $30 instead of $100.

If you want to stick with the cheapest option, you will be pleasantly surprised by how well it functions. The Spigen Air Fit Pro Magfit comes in two colors, black and green, and it is slim enough to allow wireless charging. It still adds military-grade drop-proofing and has incredibly strong N55 magnets inside. You also get dependable hinge protection, all for a really reasonable price.

When money isn't an object, however, you can close your eyes and pick any of the wonderful Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra cases that the most premium brands have to offer. Thinborne is my go-to brand in that case, as the brand uses aerospace-grade 600D aramid fiber to build its cases. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra Case comes in three colors, black, red, and blue, and is magnetic. Measuring just 0.04 inches thin, and weighing just 0.8 ounces, you'll forget it's on your Z Fold 8 Ultra. Of course, it doesn't add rugged drop-proofing, but my colleague actually dropped his phone on the tiled marble floor with the Thinborne case on and was shocked at how it was unscathed. So if you have about $90 to spare, you too can enjoy this marvelous case on your Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra.

The rumored Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide turned out to just be called the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, now with much wider screens. This square-shaped foldable has two very lovely displays, both of which could use the help of the best Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 screen protectors to reinforce drop proofing. One slip of the hand and your very expensive book-style foldable could shatter badly, so don't take risk. Whether its durable glass you prefer or flexible plastic, these screen guards have it all.

These Galaxy Z Fold 8 screen protectors are the very best of what's available

• Back to the top ^

Picking the right Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 screen protector made easy

The best Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 screen protectors come with user-friendly installation frames, multiple pieces of screen guards, and cleaning tools to make your life easy. It's not necessary to change the internal foldable display's screen protector, so you don't have to prioritize it, but it sure helps to have a spare ready to go just in case.

For an all-inclusive package that leaves nothing out without bankrupting you, the Ferilinso 3 Pack Inside Screen Protector for Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 with Back Camera Lens Protectors is the best option. This $20 purchase will buy you a trio of 9H tempered glass screen protectors with military-grade shatter-proofing for your Fold 8's cover display. The kit also includes three tempered glass camera lens protectors and three flexible films for the Fold's internal display. Ferilinso provides two installation frames, one for each display.

If you don't like glossy finishes, then you can opt for a matte, paper-like screen protector instead. The Diacube Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Paperfeel Anti-Glare Matte Screen Protector three-pack includes three screen guards for each of the Fold's dual displays. All six matte films are anti-reflective and able to self-heal from minor abrasions. Diacube provides one installation frame and a cleaning kit as well, and the entire set is priced below $20.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is the true successor to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, with its similar aspect ratios, screen sizes, and triple camera array. As with any smartphone, it is best practice to always reinforce the display with a sturdy screen protectors. And because foldables are more fragile, with moving parts and dual screens, the need for the best Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra screen protectors is even more important.

Protectors to prevent screen shatters, cracks, and abrasions

• Back to the top ^

A buyer's guide to picking the right Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra screen protectors

The best Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra screen protectors will differ from person to person. Some folks like to be minimal with their shopping, opting for a single screen protector for the front. Others like to get multi-packs and have plenty of extras to spare in the future. It's also important to remember that Samsung does not recommend users to replace the internal folding screen's factory-installed screen guard at home, and not until it starts peeling off, which also factors into your decision.

Regardless of how you want to go about choosing a screen protector for your Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, I suggest getting an all-inclusive kit with multiple spare. It makes more sense to get it done with initially, so you don't have to repurchase later, and you're always prepared in case of emergencies. Ferilinso has a fantastic package that checks those boxes, giving you three 9H tempered glass screen protectors for the 6.5-inch front display, three flexible plastic films for the internal 8-inch display, and three more glass screen protectors for the camera lenses. Ferilinso also includes cleaning tools like wipes and a squeegee, as well as two installation frames.

If you want to stick with a front screen protector alone, there are several great options in different price segments. The BENKS GlassWarrior AR Screen Protector is a high-quality aluminum-lithium 9H tempered glass with an anti-reflective finish and case-friendly curved edges. It repels fingerprints, smudges, dust, and any other solid or liquid particles. Although it's on the pricey side, I have used and found the BENKS tempered glass to be of dependable quality.

Investing in the best Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 screen protectors is like having an extra life in a video game; if you screw up, you can always start over with max health. Dropping your expensive new Flip 8 on a hard surface will definitely shatter the display. And if it's unfolded, both the screens could crack in one fell swoop. Why take the risk? Just get a sturdy tempered glass screen protector for the cover display and a flexible film for the internal foldable display, and you'll have an insurance policy to rely on.

To that end, here are all the best Galaxy Z Flip 8 screen protectors that you can choose. I have also included camera lens protectors, so you can reinforce them as well.

These are your best screen protector options for the Galaxy Z Flip 8

• Back to the top ^

How to select the best Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 screen protector

The best Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 screen protectors are shatter-proof, fit well, come with installation frames, and have at least one spare set in the box. Fortunately, most of them are quite reasonably priced, apart from the most premium of the lot.

Ferilinso is an affordable, well-liked brand that consistently puts out good quality screen protectors for all the best flagship smartphones. The Ferilinso 3 Pack Inside Screen Protector for Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 with 9H Tempered Glass Back and Camera Lens Protectors is one of the most comprehensive kits available for the Z Flip 8. You get everything you need: three military-grade shatter-proof 9H tempered glass screen protectors for the cover display, three flexible films for the internal screen, and three sturdy camera lens protectors made of tempered glass as well. All the screen guards have an oleophobic nano-coating on top, so they repel solids and liquids alike, including dirt particles, oil residue, and fingerprints. The set even has an alignment tool for perfect at-home installation. All of that for just $15 is an outstanding deal!

If you to opt for more premium brands, Spigen and ZAGG are excellent options. Spigen is more affordable, giving you two front screen protectors made of tempered glass and an easy-to-use frame at $17.

ZAGG, on the other hand, is in a class of its own with its, with its premium-grade InvisibleShield Glass XTR5 made of graphene-infused Hexiom Impact Technology and Eyesafe CPF60 technology that filters blue light emissions. Spending $59.99 on a single front screen protector might sound insane, but it comes with a lifetime replacement warranty and a screen repair guarantee covering up to $250 worth of repairs. Since Samsung does not recommend replacing your Z Flip 8's internal screen protector, it would make sense to just get something for the external display.

The cat's out of the bag: the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide is, in fact, just called the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8. The book-style foldable has a very wide aspect ration. With the help of the best Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 cases, you can make it easier to grip and prop up, and add robust impact-proofing too.

Whether you're looking for something magnetic or a heavy-duty case that can withstand any amount of battering, it's all available. All the very best cases in every category are listed right here.

The best Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 cases are all right here

• Back to the top ^

Choose a Galaxy Z Fold 8 cases that matches your needs and fits your budget

There are hundreds of Galaxy Z Fold 8 cases out there, but choosing the right one means identifying your needs and then matching that with something reliable. I have been testing cases, screen protectors, and accessories for many years, which is why you can rely on my expertise when hunting for the best Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 cases.

Thinborne is a Texas-based brand that has a fantastic reputation. The company isn't very big, but they are stringent with their quality control. This is why the Thinborne Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide Case is easily the ultimate case for your wide-screened Z Fold 8. The only complaint you will ever have is its price, because its high cost is the only drawback to choosing this case. It is exceedingly thin, has strong magnets inside, and weighs barely anything. Thinborne added two more colors, so the case now comes in black, red, and blue. If you can afford it, this is the optimal Galaxy Z Fold 8 case.

Now if you want to set your sights to a lower price bracket, there are still plenty of decent options with reasonable drop-proofing and handy add-ons like a magnetic ring. The FNTCASE Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Translucent Matte Case only costs $27, but that pricing isn't indicative of the quality. I have tested many cases from the brand and found them to perform really well. It comes in pink, blue, and black, and you can also get a clear variant but that has a glossy finish. FNTCASE promises military-grade shock-proofing, and the Fold 8's spine has been thickly reinforced.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 was unveiled just moments ago, but companies like T-Mobile have wasted no time in dropping some exceptional preorder deals ahead of the August 7th release date. Add a line with the Experience Beyond plan and trade in an old or broken phone and the Big Three carrier will hook you up with enough promo credits to make the new Z Fold 8 completely free! 

Sure, T-Mobile's Experience Beyond may not be the cheapest unlimited plan around, but it's nothing that $1,900 of potential savings can't fix. If you're interested in one of the most innovative phones of 2026 and you were planning to update your wireless service anyway, this deal is worth grabbing ASAP. 

T-Mobile will already give you the Galaxy Z Fold 8 for FREE with new deal

Samsung just unveiled the Galaxy Z Fold 8 (alongside the Z Fold 8 Ultra and Z Flip 8) during a Galaxy Unpacked event earlier today, and the phones are already turning heads. For starters, it's hard to describe the Z Fold 8 as a true successor to last year's Galaxy Z Fold 7, as Samsung has given the phone a shorter and wider, "passport-style" design.

This new look makes the phone easy to pocket and use with one hand while folded, while unfolding the device gives you an experience akin to an Android tablet. And as usual, the foldable phone's two AMOLED display are absolutely stunning and smooth as butter. Under the hood, you still get the powerful Z Fold experience that we've all come to know and love, with a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, 12GB of RAM, and all of the latest AI-boosted software tricks. The phone does clock in at $1,899, however, so deals like the T-Mobile promotion above are essential.  

What about the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra?

It's official: the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 has arrived, and it doesn't disappoint. One problem, however, is that the innovative foldable now boasts a starting price of $1,199.99 for the 256GB configuration, which is $100 more expensive than its predecessor.

Fortunately, I'm already hard at work tracking down the best Galaxy Z Flip 8 preorder deals so you don't have to go searching. We haven't seen too many offers just yet, but you can already make this premium flip phone considerably cheaper if you play your cards right. Keep reading for my recommendations, and don't forget to check back later to see what's new: I'll keep adding new offers to this list as I find them.

Quick links

• Samsung Unpacked LIVE: latest news and everything that was announced
• The best Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Fold 8 Ultra deals
  
• T-Mobile: Get the Z Flip 8 for $100 with eligible plan
• Samsung: up to $600 off with trade-in, free credit
• Verizon: TBA
• AT&T: up to $1,000 off with trade-in, new line
• Amazon: free $200 gift card with preorder
• Best Buy: free $200 gift card with preorder

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 deals

FAQ

When does the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 come out?

Alongside the book-style Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 is scheduled for release on August 7th. This gives you just a few weeks to take advantage of the preorder offers detailed above.

How much does the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 cost?

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 will start at $1,199.99 / €1,299.00 / £1,149.00 for the 256GB configuration of the phone. That's $100 more expensive than last year's Galaxy Z Flip 7, which was already more expensive than its predecessor. This price increase is even further proof that no one is exempt from the ongoing RAM crisis, which is why finding good deals is so important nowadays.

I already own the Galaxy Z Flip 7. Is it worth upgrading?

The Galaxy Z Flip 8 and last year's Galaxy Z Flip 7 share a lot of similarities on the design and hardware side, especially at first glance. Both flip phones come with 12GB of RAM and a 4,300mAh battery, and they feature virtually identical camera systems and displays, although the Z Flip 8 does clock in at 8 grams lighter than its predecessor. The Z Flip 8 also uses the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, which is a bit more powerful than the last generation's Exynos chip.

Do these minor upgrades justify the $100 price increase? It's a tough call, but if you're already happy with your Galaxy Z Flip 7, I see no reason to rush to the store to grab the new phone. On the other hand, if you're a flip phone fanatic, the Z Flip 8 offers one of the best experiences around.

The boxy Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 is available in three standard colors, plus an online exclusive, totaling up to four shades overall. As trying as it can be to try to choose only one shade to buy from four different colors, it can also be a good thing. You might come across a shade that you didn't even know you'd love!

Without further ado, let me help you decide which Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 colorway you should buy. To start things off, let us walk through the colors. Familiarize yourself with what your choices are, then you can identify your winner.

A walk through all the colors of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8

• Back to the top ^

Buying the right Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 colorway: A helpful guide

Trying to decide which Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 color should you buy? Now that you've had a good look at all the colorways the Fold 8 comes in, the decision must be easier to make. Of the four Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 colorways, two are basic safe choices. Graphite is the classic black option that almost always outsells all other shades, because most folks don't want bold colors. Cream is another such color, though white isn't as widely preferred as black.

I encourage you to take a risk and choose a color that speaks to you, however unusual it may be! The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 in Lavender is immediately recognizable as the Fold 8, plus it looks divine. The wide, boxy cut of the device is enhanced and accentuated in this light purple hue.

Exclusivity is an attractive feature to many. If you're gunning for something different and less widely available, the warm Pistachio colorway stands out. True to its name, Pistachio is a warm green color that is an online exclusive. If you do go for Pistachio, bear in mind that spare parts for less popular colors can be harder to acquire. So if you're a clumsy, accident prone person who doesn't use impact proof phone cases, best to err on the side of caution and stick with one of the three standard colors instead.