Samsung launches Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Fold8, Flip8, Watch Ultra2 and Watch9 in South Africa

Samsung has launched its latest Galaxy foldable phones and smartwatches in South Africa, bringing the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold8, Galaxy Z Flip8, Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and Galaxy Watch9 to the local market.

The new devices first entered commercial rollout in selected international markets on 7 August 2026. Samsung started South African sales on 13 August, with the products available through operators, retailers, Samsung.com and Samsung Experience Stores.

The launch creates Samsung’s broadest foldable line-up yet. Instead of offering one large Fold and one compact Flip, Samsung now gives buyers two different Fold designs. The Fold8 Ultra targets productivity and high-end camera use, while the lighter Fold8 focuses on portability and content. The Flip8 continues Samsung’s compact clamshell approach.

Samsung has also refreshed its smartwatch family. Galaxy Watch Ultra2 targets outdoor and endurance users, while Galaxy Watch9 focuses more strongly on everyday health, sleep and activity tracking. Both watches use Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Wear Elite platform and form part of Samsung’s wider AI and health ecosystem.

TechnologyBlog.co.za has not tested these five devices. This article therefore acts as an overview of Samsung’s new Galaxy line-up and its most important verified features. Separate TechnologyBlog.co.za articles will examine each product in greater detail.

Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra brings Samsung’s Ultra approach to foldables

The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra sits at the top of Samsung’s new foldable family. It opens to an 8-inch main display and uses Samsung’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy platform. Samsung also equips it with a 200MP main camera, a 50MP ultra-wide camera and a 5,000mAh battery.

Samsung has focused heavily on reducing bulk. The Fold8 Ultra measures 4.1mm thick when unfolded and weighs 215g. Flex Titanium reinforcement supports the folding display, while the device carries an IP48 rating for water and particle resistance.

The larger display also gives Samsung more room for multitasking and Galaxy AI features. Now Nudge can suggest actions across supported applications, while Gemini Notebook brings notes, files, recordings and other information into one workspace.

Samsung has strengthened the camera system at the same time. The 200MP main camera supports HDR at full resolution, while the new 50MP ultra-wide camera also handles macro photography. Samsung also introduces Dual Recording and My FanCam across its new Fold and Flip devices.

TechnologyBlog.co.za’s dedicated Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra article examines the camera system, folding hardware, Galaxy AI features and South African rollout in considerably more detail.

Samsung’s focus on reducing flagship thickness is not completely new. TechnologyBlog.co.za previously examined that direction in its coverage of the Galaxy S25 Edge, which combined a 5.8mm design with Samsung’s flagship smartphone hardware. Read our Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge article

Galaxy Z Fold8 takes a different approach to the large foldable

The Galaxy Z Fold8 does not simply act as a cheaper Fold8 Ultra. Samsung has designed it around a different form factor and usage pattern.

At 201g, Samsung describes it as its lightest Galaxy Z Fold to date. The device uses a wider cover display for everyday interactions and opens to a main display with a 4:3 aspect ratio. Samsung positions that shape for reading, video, gaming and browsing.

That distinction is important because Samsung now has two large foldables instead of one. The Fold8 Ultra emphasises camera hardware, battery capacity and a large productivity workspace. The Fold8 puts more emphasis on reducing weight and creating a compact device that opens into a wider display.

Flex Titanium also appears in the Fold8. Samsung uses the material to support a thinner folding-display structure while reducing the visibility of the crease over time.

Gemini Notebook forms part of the software experience. Users can combine notes, files, recordings, documents and images in one workspace, which makes more sense on the Fold8’s larger inner screen than on a conventional phone display.

A separate TechnologyBlog.co.za article will look at the Galaxy Z Fold8’s specifications, display design, cameras and where it sits within Samsung’s new foldable family.

Galaxy Z Flip8 brings Gemini to FlexWindow

The Galaxy Z Flip8 continues Samsung’s smaller clamshell design but increases the role of the cover display.

Samsung calls that outer screen FlexWindow. Users can access applications, notifications, personalised information and selected AI features without opening the phone. Gemini can also work directly from FlexWindow through voice requests or the side key.

Samsung lists the Flip8 at 180g and 6.1mm thick when unfolded, making it the company’s lightest and thinnest Flip so far.

The camera system centres on a 50MP main camera and Samsung’s ProVisual Engine. FlexCam lets users place the phone at different angles and use the folding design as its own stand for photographs and video.

Samsung also equips the Flip8 with a 4,300mAh battery. Its South African product information lists up to 31 hours of video playback under Samsung’s test conditions. Real endurance will depend on applications, signal strength, screen use and other factors.

The dedicated Galaxy Z Flip8 article will examine FlexWindow, Gemini integration, camera features and battery changes in more detail.

Fold8 Ultra, Fold8 and Flip8 share new AI camera features

Although Samsung positions its three foldables differently, several features span the range.

Dual Recording captures the subject and the person filming at the same time. This can help creators record an event together with their own reaction without needing a second camera.

My FanCam can track a selected person and automatically reframe the shot. Samsung positions it for situations such as live performances and events where the user wants to keep one subject in view. Samsung also notes that the feature may not work when it cannot identify a suitable subject.

AI features increasingly form part of Samsung’s wider Galaxy strategy rather than appearing as isolated tools. The new foldables combine on-device processing with cloud-assisted services, depending on the feature.

Availability can still vary by language, country, Samsung Account status and application support. Buyers should check individual Galaxy AI functions rather than assuming every feature works identically in South Africa.

Galaxy Watch Ultra2 targets outdoor and endurance use

The smartphone launch is joined by the Galaxy Watch Ultra2, Samsung’s new premium outdoor-focused smartwatch.

Samsung offers the Ultra2 in a 47mm titanium case and equips it with an 800mAh battery. Its display can reach up to 5,000 nits of brightness, which Samsung positions for visibility during outdoor activity.

Durability plays a central role in the design. Samsung lists IP69K and 10 ATM ratings and EN 13319 certification. These specifications target users who train or spend significant time outdoors rather than people who only need notifications and basic activity tracking.

Samsung also provides dedicated outdoor sports modes, including Trail Run. Additional fitness tools can provide hydration guidance based on factors such as estimated sweat loss during activity.

The Snapdragon Wear Elite platform handles processing. Samsung has paired the new hardware with its updated Samsung Health environment and AI-driven health insights.

TechnologyBlog.co.za will examine the Galaxy Watch Ultra2 separately, including what its IP69K, 10 ATM and EN 13319 ratings actually mean in practical use.

Galaxy Watch9 focuses on everyday health

The Galaxy Watch9 takes a less specialised approach. Samsung designed it as an everyday health and wellness smartwatch that users can wear through workouts, ordinary daily activity and sleep.

It comes in 40mm and 44mm sizes with an aluminium casing. Samsung lists display brightness of up to 3,000 nits and uses the Snapdragon Wear Elite platform across the range.

The 40mm model uses a 390mAh battery, which Samsung says provides 20% more capacity than the equivalent previous-generation model.

Samsung Health brings together five main areas: Activity, Mindfulness, Nutrition, Sleep and Vitals. The Watch9 also adds health tools including Heart Health Score, Daily Cardio Load and Fitness Index.

Daily Cardio Load looks at training intensity and recovery, while Fitness Index uses factors such as body composition and workout history to help assess exercise levels. Samsung positions these features as guidance rather than replacements for professional medical assessment.

A separate TechnologyBlog.co.za Galaxy Watch9 article will explore these health features in more detail.

Samsung is building one connected Galaxy ecosystem

Samsung’s decision to launch the phones and watches together reflects a broader shift in its product strategy.

The company increasingly treats the Galaxy smartphone and Galaxy Watch as connected parts of the same personal computing and health platform. Phones provide the larger screens, cameras and AI workspace, while watches collect continuous health and activity information from the wrist.

Samsung Account and Samsung Health act as important links between the devices. The company also continues to integrate Google’s Gemini services into the Galaxy smartphone experience.

This ecosystem approach means buyers increasingly need to assess software as carefully as hardware. A processor, camera or battery specification may only tell part of the story when several of the most important features depend on Samsung Account, cloud services or connected Galaxy devices.

Switching from another phone also gets easier

Samsung has updated Smart Switch as part of the new rollout.

iPhone users can scan a QR code and transfer data wirelessly without first installing another application. Samsung says Smart Switch can transfer additional categories of information, including passwords, passkeys, call history, accessibility settings and eSIM information.

Samsung has also announced compatibility between Quick Share and Apple’s AirDrop for supported transfers between iOS and Galaxy devices.

These features target one of the less glamorous problems involved in changing smartphone platforms. Moving photos is relatively simple, but passwords, eSIM details and other account information can make a platform switch more complicated.

Actual transfer support can depend on the source phone, operating-system version and individual data type.

Samsung reports stronger pre-order demand

Samsung says global pre-orders for the new Galaxy Z line-up increased by more than 30% compared with the previous generation.

Graphite led Fold8 Ultra and Fold8 pre-orders overall, while Pink proved most popular for the Flip8. Samsung also reported stronger interest in some of its online-exclusive colours among customers aged between 15 and 34.

These are Samsung’s own pre-order figures and do not establish wider smartphone market share. They do suggest that the company’s decision to expand the Fold range beyond one large-screen model attracted early interest.

Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Fold8, Flip8, Watch Ultra2 and Watch9 at a glance

Product	Main positioning	Highlight
Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra	Premium productivity foldable	8-inch display, 200MP camera and 5,000mAh battery
Galaxy Z Fold8	Lightweight large foldable	201g design and 4:3 main display
Galaxy Z Flip8	Compact foldable	FlexWindow, Gemini and 50MP camera
Galaxy Watch Ultra2	Outdoor and endurance smartwatch	800mAh battery and up to 5,000-nit display
Galaxy Watch9	Everyday health smartwatch	Continuous health, sleep and activity tracking

The products share Samsung’s broader focus on AI, connected services and a more closely integrated Galaxy ecosystem.

The new Galaxy range is now available in South Africa

Samsung started global sales of the new Fold and Watch products in selected markets on 7 August 2026, expanding the rollout to more than 100 markets.

South African sales began on 13 August 2026 through operators, retailers, Samsung.com and Samsung Experience Stores. Samsung South Africa subsequently published its local launch announcement on 28 August.

For buyers, this generation brings more choice than simply deciding between Fold and Flip.

The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra targets users who want Samsung’s largest foldable workspace and strongest Fold camera system. The Galaxy Z Fold8 takes a lighter approach, while the Flip8 continues to focus on compact portability and its cover-screen experience.

The watches follow a similar split. Galaxy Watch Ultra2 concentrates on endurance, outdoor activity and durability. Galaxy Watch9 focuses on everyday wellness and continuous health tracking.

That separation gives TechnologyBlog.co.za five distinct products to examine rather than treating Samsung’s latest Galaxy launch as one specification-heavy announcement. The individual product articles will explore where each device fits, what its specifications mean in practice and which limitations prospective users should understand.