Samsung chooses London for Fold 8 launch as chip costs lift prices
Samsung is hosting its summer Unpacked event in London to unveil a redesigned Galaxy Z Fold 8 and potential AI glasses, a strategic nod to Europe that coincides with rising memory-chip costs pushing flagship prices closer to $2,000.
Samsung will host its Galaxy Unpacked event in London on Tuesday, 22 July, marking the first time the company has used the UK capital for its summer showcase. The official tagline, “a new shape unfolds,” points to a major hardware redesign rather than iterative updates.
The central announcement is expected to be the Galaxy Z Fold 8. Leaks indicate a departure from the tall, narrow form factor used since 2019, moving to a wider, shorter "passport" shape with a 5.5-inch cover screen and a 7.6-inch inner display. Samsung has previewed a new "Flex Titanium" hinge designed to make the screen crease far less visible. The device is expected to run on a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, offer up to 1TB of storage, and house a slightly larger battery.
Samsung appears poised to complicate its portfolio. Reports suggest the company will release two book-style foldables: the wider standard model and a taller "Z Fold 8 Ultra." Meanwhile, the Z Flip 8 is tipped to feature a 4.1-inch cover screen and a larger battery, though its existential future overshadows the hardware updates. Several reports suggest it could be Samsung’s last clamshell if the lineup is consolidated.
The pricing squeeze
For European consumers and retailers, the most consequential detail may be the price. Leaked figures place the standard Fold 8 between $1,899 and $1,999, with the Ultra variant near $2,099 and the Flip 8 around $1,099. A global memory-chip crunch has driven up component costs across the industry, and Samsung already raised Fold prices in April.
Foldables are improving, but they are not getting cheaper. Pushing devices deeper into the $2,000 bracket tests the limits of consumer demand for premium mobile hardware. The decision to host the showcase in London serves as a signal that Samsung views the European market as a critical stage for these high-margin devices.
Beyond phones, the event may feature the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, equipped with dedicated on-device AI silicon, a brighter screen, a bigger battery, and dive-ready water resistance. A wildcard entry is also possible: AI-powered smart glasses. Built on Google’s Android XR platform with Gemini integration and co-designed with Gentle Monster and Warby Parker, the eyewear would directly target Meta’s smart glasses.
