Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Series Clears FCC Ahead of July Launch

Samsung’s next generation of foldable smartphones and wearables has moved a step closer to release after the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide, Galaxy Z Flip 8, Galaxy Watch 9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 received approval from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission. The certification signals that the company remains on schedule for a July 22 launch, which is expected to take place during Samsung’s Unpacked event in London.

While the FCC documents reveal little about the devices themselves, they confirm support for key connectivity features including 5G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and NFC. The approval process also indicates that the hardware design is effectively finalized, making major changes before launch unlikely. The filings further suggest Samsung plans to release the new foldables and wearables in the United States at the same time rather than through a staggered rollout.

Attention is now turning to the Galaxy Z Fold 8 lineup, particularly the Ultra and the newly rumored Wide model. Pricing remains one of the biggest unanswered questions. Recent reports have suggested a possible increase in cost, with tipster Lanzuk claiming on the Naver Blog that a price hike has been “confirmed,” although no specific storage configurations were identified. Samsung has yet to reveal official pricing details ahead of the event.

According to recent leaks, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra will feature a 5,000mAh battery, 45W charging support and a thickness of just 4.1mm when unfolded, making it one of Samsung’s slimmest foldable devices to date. The handset is also expected to weigh 215 grams, matching the Galaxy Z Fold 7, and reportedly will not include a privacy screen.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide is said to offer a different approach. Reports indicate it will weigh 201 grams and include a 4,800mAh battery, 45W charging and a 50-megapixel main camera. Its outer display is expected to measure 5.4 inches with a wider 4:3 aspect ratio, while the 7.6-inch internal screen is designed to provide a broader viewing area better suited for widescreen video content.

A report from ZDNet Korea has highlighted a potential display distinction between the two models. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide is said to use ultra-thin glass measuring 60 micrometers on its inner display, roughly 30% thicker than the 45-micrometer glass reportedly used on both the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the upcoming Ultra model. Thicker glass could improve durability, though the report noted it may carry a slightly higher risk of spontaneous cracking. Whether the difference in glass thickness results in a less noticeable screen crease remains unclear.

Earlier this year, Samsung Display showcased a foldable panel with a nearly invisible crease at CES, though it has not been confirmed whether that technology will appear in either of the new foldable devices. The variation in display construction between the Ultra and Wide models has fueled speculation about potential differences in crease visibility.

Samsung is also expected to launch the Galaxy Z Fold 8 series with One UI 9 and Gemini Intelligence preinstalled. The July 22 release is set to mark the first time Samsung and Google’s full suite of AI-powered features will debut together on new hardware, including a range of advanced agent-based capabilities.