At this point, I have a pretty good idea of what to expect from Samsung every summer: a big foldable Galaxy Z Fold phone, a small foldable Z Flip phone and a Galaxy Watch or two for good measure. That’s why I was genuinely surprised and delighted by the all-new Galaxy Z Fold 8, which introduces a fresh design that sits between the ultra-compact Z Flip and the productivity-oriented Z Fold. It’s my favorite foldable phone design yet, and it’s the first one in a while I can see myself actually buying.
New versions of Samsung’s mainstays are here too, including the clamshell Z Flip 8 and the high-end Z Fold 8 Ultra (which is actually the follow up to last year’s Z Fold 7. It’s confusing; we’ll explain). The company also took the wraps off of the Galaxy Watch 9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, which have lighter designs and brighter displays than their predecessors, along with a range of new health and fitness features.
All these new devices are up for preorder now ahead of their Aug. 7 release date, but with some especially high prices for the phones, are they going to earn a place among the best smartphones you can upgrade to? Here’s what I think after some early hands-on time with the latest from the Z Fold, Z Flip and Galaxy Watch lineups.
