{"id":704294,"date":"2026-06-14T22:09:11","date_gmt":"2026-06-14T22:09:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/704294\/"},"modified":"2026-06-14T22:09:11","modified_gmt":"2026-06-14T22:09:11","slug":"the-galaxy-z-fold-8-ultra-has-the-potential-to-be-a-cruel-joke","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/704294\/","title":{"rendered":"The ‘Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra’ has the potential to be a cruel joke"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\"\"<\/p>\n

There are actual reasons to get excited about Samsung\u2019s upcoming foldables but, the more I think about it, the more I\u2019m realizing that there\u2019s pretty strong potential for the \u201cGalaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra\u201d to not just be disappointing, but a slightly cruel joke.<\/p>\n

This issue of 9to5Google Weekender is a part of 9to5Google\u2019s newsletter that highlights the biggest Google stories with added commentary and more. Sign up here<\/a> to get Weekender delivered to your inbox early every weekend, and catch our weekday roundups too!<\/p>\n

I\u2019m a Galaxy Z Fold 7 owner. I paid up for Samsung\u2019s foldable last year because, genuinely, it\u2019s a really good foldable. There are other excellent options out there now, like Motorola\u2019s new Razr Fold that I just reviewed, yet I\u2019m still on the Fold 7. As such, I am pretty excited about the Galaxy Z Fold 8 series, despite also being worried and confused about it.<\/p>\n

As repeated leaks have shown, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is being split into two \u2013 a new wider form factor taking over the \u201cGalaxy Z Fold 8\u201d name, and a slightly upgraded version of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 that will be sold as the \u201cGalaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra.\u201d Aside from the simple fact that \u201cUltra\u201d does not fit onto a Samsung foldable in literally any capacity, I\u2019m pretty worried about the impact this might have.<\/p>\n

\tAdvertisement – scroll for more content<\/p>\n

The \u201cGalaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra\u201d is set to debut as a device that is effectively an upgraded Galaxy Z Fold 7. The same design<\/a>, the same form factor, the same cameras, and really just some improvements to the display crease<\/a> and a long overdue battery capacity boost<\/a>. Again, the \u201cUltra\u201d moniker here borders on comically inaccurate, but that\u2019s not my concern.<\/p>\n

What I\u2019m worried about is pricing. There\u2019s almost no chance Samsung sells these two smartphones for the same price point if existing leaks are accurate. The branding heavily implies a situation where the Fold 8 would be around the same cost as Fold 7 \u2013 $1,999 or so \u2013 with the \u201cUltra\u201d being more expensive. But with what we know about this \u201cUltra\u201d device, there\u2019s absolutely nothing that justifies a price hike \u2013 besides RAMaggedon<\/a>, of course. Market conditions already threaten to jack up the price on Samsung\u2019s next foldable, but unless Samsung is somehow able to turn this new wider device into a more budget-friendy option, I just don\u2019t see how we end up with a lineup that makes any sense. <\/p>\n

Releasing effectively a rehashed foldable as a more expensive \u201cUltra\u201d while putting a brand new form factor into last year\u2019s price tag would be incredibly frustrating. <\/p>\n

Yet, that\u2019s just where we are. Smartphone makers are backed into a corner right now<\/a>, but Samsung has also placed itself in this position with this alleged branding. Hopefully, \u201cUltra\u201d won\u2019t see the light of day, and Samsung can put out two smartphones that just give consumers a choice of their priorities, without price being factored in. <\/p>\n

What do you think?<\/p>\n

This Week\u2019s Top Stories<\/p>\n

Google One is an even better deal now<\/p>\n

Google One\u2019s AI Plus plan got an update this week, doubling the plan to 400GB of cloud storage while also cutting the price to just $4.99\/month. It served as a good reminder that Google One is quietly one of the best values in a tech subscription, and it goes way beyond AI.<\/p>\n

Android 17 QPR1 Beta 4<\/p>\n

Google dropped the fourth beta for Android 17 QPR1 this week, with a few notable changes including support for \u201cScreen Reactions\u201d recording.<\/p>\n

More Top Stories<\/p>\n

From the rest of 9to5<\/p>\n

9to5Mac: WWDC 2026 recap, iOS 27, new Siri and more officially announced<\/a><\/p>\n

9to5Toys: All titles confirmed for Switch 2 GameCube library: Zelda, Mario, Wario World, Pok\u00e9mon, more<\/a><\/p>\n

Electrek: Solid-state batteries are now powering EVs in the real world<\/a><\/p>\n

Follow Ben:\u00a0Twitter\/X<\/a>,\u00a0Threads<\/a>, Bluesky<\/a>, and\u00a0Instagram<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t
\n\t\t\t\"Add
\n\t\t\t\"Add
\n\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t