According to SamMobile, Samsung is ramping up work on a mysterious new Galaxy Z Fold phone. The report suggests the company could launch two models: a standard Galaxy Z Fold 8 with model number SM-F971B and a potential Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra with model number SM-F976B. Alongside these, a Galaxy Z Flip 8 is also in development. The anticipated launch timeframe for all these devices is set for mid-2026, though details remain unclear and are expected to solidify in the coming months.
The Foldable “Ultra” Era Begins
Here’s the thing: if this report pans out, it’s a huge strategic shift. Samsung has held the “Ultra” moniker for its absolute top-tier slab phones, like the S24 Ultra. Applying it to the Fold line is a statement. It basically says the foldable is no longer a niche experiment—it’s ready to be the undisputed flagship. This move would create a clear hierarchy: the Flip for the style-conscious, the standard Fold for power users, and an “Ultra” Fold for… well, for those who want everything and money is no object. But what would make it “Ultra”? A built-in S Pen? A vastly improved under-display camera? Even more premium materials? The speculation is going to be wild.
Who Wins and Who Has to Keep Up?
For users, this is fantastic. More competition and segmentation within Samsung’s own camp means more choice and potentially more innovation trickling down to lower models. But let’s be real, an Ultra Fold will cost a fortune, likely cementing foldables as luxury items for a while longer. For the market and competitors like Google, OnePlus, and Motorola, the pressure just intensified. Samsung defining a new “ultra” tier in foldables sets a benchmark everyone else will now feel compelled to match or counter. It raises the stakes across the board. And for enterprises and developers, a more solidified, high-end foldable segment makes it a safer bet to optimize apps and workflows for these larger, multitasking screens. The platform becomes more legitimate with every top-tier model released.
The Long Road to 2026
Now, mid-2026? That feels like an eternity in tech time. A lot can change. This leak feels like a strategic planting of a flag—a way for Samsung to signal its long-term roadmap and keep the foldable conversation focused on them while others catch up to the current Fold 6. It also gives them ample time to gauge reaction and refine what an “Ultra” foldable should actually be. So, get ready for two years of rumors, renders, and wish lists. The foldable race isn’t just about making a phone that bends anymore; it’s about defining what comes after the novelty wears off. Samsung seems to be betting the answer is “luxury.”
