Samsung is doubling down on foldable phones. Meet the new Galaxy Fold range

The idea is simple: to make use of a workspace comparable in size to that of a small tablet, allowing users to run multiple applications simultaneously without compromising readability. It is an approach that aims to make multitasking a practical advantage rather than merely a technological showcase.

The camera system follows the same logic of convergence. The Fold8 Ultra features a 200-megapixel main sensor, accompanied by a new 50-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens and advanced Nightography features. Samsung is thus bringing the Ultra range’s camera capabilities to its foldable devices, bridging one of the gaps that had previously set foldables apart from traditional premium smartphones.

There’s also a new software feature for creators. The proprietary APV codec allows you to record 8K video with smaller files that are easier to manage in post-production, whilst the integrated Cine LUTs let you apply cinematic colour correction directly on your smartphone. The aim is to transform the Fold into a tool for content production as well as consumption.

Under the hood is the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy, the processor shared across the entire new range. But the most interesting new feature lies in the software. Galaxy AI and Gemini have been redesigned to make the most of the large screens on foldable devices. Artificial intelligence is no longer limited to simply responding to a request: it analyses the context and automatically suggests the next action.

The most interesting new feature, however, is the attempt to transform Galaxy AI from a simple assistant into a ‘contextual’ operating system. The new features Now Brief and Now Nudge analyse what the user is doing and automatically suggest the next action: opening the calendar after a conversation, searching for an address, organising notes, sharing documents or switching between apps without interrupting the workflow. Samsung describes this as an increasingly ‘agent-based’ artificial intelligence, capable of linking over forty apps and services and reducing the number of steps needed to complete a task.

Added to this is Gemini Notebook, a feature designed for professionals: photographs of a whiteboard, meeting recordings, images and documents can be gathered in the same workspace and automatically transformed into summaries, flowcharts, infographics and reports. It is an attempt to turn the Fold into a genuine pocket-sized computer, not simply a smartphone that folds out.

On the consumer front, Samsung continues to invest in the clamshell design. The Galaxy Z Flip8 stays true to the philosophy of maximum portability whilst introducing a completely redesigned FlexWindow optimised for artificial intelligence. The external display features Now Brief, which generates personalised summaries of the day, and new Gemini-powered features that can be used without opening the smartphone. Weighing 180 grams and measuring 6.1 millimetres thick, it is the thinnest and lightest Galaxy Z Flip the company has produced to date. The 50-megapixel camera, FlexCam mode and Camcorder Grip round off a device designed primarily for content creators and social media users.

There is, however, one figure that illustrates better than any technical specification just how much foldable phones are still a technology seeking to reach the mainstream: the price. The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra’s €2,299 price tag is not what you’d expect to pay for a smartphone, but rather for a high-end laptop. Even the Fold8 costs over €2,000, whilst the Flip8 starts at €1,379. In short, Samsung continues to regard foldables as a premium segment, not an option for everyone.

It is a logical choice. Each new generation brings more sophisticated hinges, more durable flexible displays, new materials such as titanium, and ever-deeper integration of artificial intelligence. All these innovations come at a high manufacturing cost. The result is a paradox: the technology is now mature enough to win over many users, but the price continues to keep it confined to a niche market.

The real challenge in the coming years won’t be making a screen fold better. Samsung seems to have all but won that battle. It will be bringing down the price. Because foldable phones will only truly become mainstream when they cost the same as traditional premium smartphones. Until then, they’ll remain the mobile industry’s most advanced testing ground: the place where technologies are trialled that, a few years later, will find their way into everyone’s phones.

The same philosophy extends to the wrist. With the Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and Galaxy Watch9, Samsung isn’t aiming to revolutionise the concept of the smartwatch, but rather to transform it increasingly into a personal sensor capable of collecting data, interpreting it and suggesting courses of action. The technological leap is primarily internal. For the first time, Galaxy smartwatches are moving away from Exynos processors in favour of the new Snapdragon Wear Elite platform, designed specifically for wearables. Greater processing power means a smoother interface, more accurate GPS and the ability to process an increasing amount of biometric data locally.

The Galaxy Watch Ultra2 is the model designed for sports enthusiasts and outdoor activities. The 800 mAh battery offers a 35 per cent increase in capacity compared to the previous generation, whilst the display reaches 5,000 nits – a record brightness for a smartwatch – making the watch face legible even in direct sunlight. The titanium case is 12% slimmer without compromising on durability, and the device introduces new features designed for trail running and scuba diving. Thanks to the collaboration with Mares, the Watch Ultra2 can be transformed into a fully-fledged wrist-mounted diving computer, automatically monitoring depth, dive times and safety parameters.

The Galaxy Watch9, on the other hand, focuses on everyday wellbeing. It is lighter, slimmer and features a 3,000-nit display. The innovation lies not so much in the amount of data collected as in how it is interpreted. Samsung uses artificial intelligence to combine biometric data and create summary metrics, such as the Cardiac Wellbeing Score, Daily Cardio Load and the Fitness Index, which help the user understand not only how they are feeling, but also when it is time to recover or increase the intensity of their physical activity. It is a paradigm shift: the smartwatch no longer merely records information, but seeks to transform it into practical guidance.

Here too, artificial intelligence is the central theme of the experience. Gemini sits right on your wrist and lets you give voice commands, start a workout, look up information or interact with the Galaxy ecosystem without having to use your smartphone. For Samsung, the message is clear: the wearable is no longer just an accessory for the smartphone, but an increasingly autonomous part of the company’s AI ecosystem.