Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2026: When is it taking place, and what to expect from the event?
by Vanessa Ricca, on Jul 20, 2026Samsung's next Galaxy Unpacked 2026 event is just days away. On 22 July, all eyes in the tech world will be on Samsung's newest Galaxy devices. But when exactly does the event start? Where can you watch the livestream? And which smartphones, smartwatches and other new products are expected? In this article, we answer all the key questions and round up which products are most likely to take the stage in London.
What exactly is Samsung Galaxy Unpacked?
Galaxy Unpacked is Samsung's flagship product keynote, held twice a year. At the event, the company unveils its newest Galaxy devices - including smartphones, smartwatches, tablets and other innovations - along with new software and AI features. The summer edition of the event traditionally puts the spotlight on the foldable smartphones in Samsung's Galaxy Z series.
When and where is the Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2026 taking place?
The next Galaxy Unpacked takes place on 22 July 2026 in London. That's where the company plans to reveal its newest Galaxy products - first and foremost, the next generation of its foldables. As always, the event will be livestreamed worldwide, so fans everywhere can watch the presentation live.
Where can you watch the Galaxy Unpacked event?
Samsung will stream Galaxy Unpacked 2026 live and free of charge, as usual. The keynote kicks off at 22 July at 2pm Irish time (3pm CEST) and can be watched live on Samsung.com, via the Samsung Newsroom, and on Samsung's official YouTube channel. If you want to see the new Galaxy devices unveiled in real time, all you need is an internet connection.
Which products will Samsung unveil at Galaxy Unpacked 2026?
Officially, Samsung is staying quiet and only teasing "new Galaxy innovations." But based on numerous leaks and previous teasers, it's considered highly likely that the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Flip 8 series will take centre stage. There are also growing signs of a new Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, which could expand the foldable line-up even further upmarket.
Alongside the new smartphones, a Galaxy Watch 9 and a Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 are also expected. New Galaxy AI features are likely to play a big role too. Some rumours also point to further hardware, such as Samsung's rumoured XR or smart glasses projects, though there's no official confirmation of this yet. We'll only know for certain once Galaxy Unpacked airs on 22 July.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Flip 8: what's set to change
Samsung's foldable smartphones are likely to be the stars of Galaxy Unpacked 2026 once again. While leaks suggest the Galaxy Z Fold 8 will get a bigger hardware upgrade, the Galaxy Z Flip 8 looks set for more of a refresh, with fewer but more targeted improvements. Samsung hasn't officially confirmed any of these changes so far.
Galaxy Z Fold 8 - expected changes
- A bigger redesign with a wider body and a more comfortable outer display.
- A noticeably less visible crease thanks to new Flex Titanium technology.
- A new, latest-generation Snapdragon chip for more power.
- Improved battery life and likely faster charging.
- New Galaxy AI features built on One UI 9 and Android 17.
Galaxy Z Flip 8 - expected changes
- Design stays largely true to its predecessor.
- A new Exynos 2600 chip for better efficiency and AI performance.
- Fast charging expected to jump to up to 45W for the first time.
- New colour options and smaller software improvements.
- Camera hardware is unlikely to change much from the previous model.
Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra: what do the leaks say?
With the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, Samsung could be introducing a genuine Ultra model to its foldable line-up for the first time. Leaks point to a particularly slim body, a more premium build, and extra AI features. An improved camera and a price above the standard Galaxy Z Fold 8 also seem likely. Samsung hasn't officially confirmed the device yet, though.
Expected prices for the new Galaxy devices
Samsung hasn't confirmed pricing officially. However, current leaks point to the following expected starting prices for Ireland:
| Device | Expected starting price | Change vs predecessor |
|---|---|---|
| Galaxy Z Flip 8 | from €1,299 | approx. +8% (+€100) |
| Galaxy Z Fold 8 | from €1,999 | approx. 0% (same starting price as the current Fold model) |
| Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra | from €2,199 | approx. +5% (+€100 vs. the current top model) |
| Galaxy Watch 9 | from €409 | approx. +10% |
| Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 | from €749 | approx. +10% |
Prices are based on current leaks and haven't been officially confirmed by Samsung. Depending on storage configuration, the increases could be higher.
Why are smartphone prices going up in the first place?
The expected price increases on Samsung's new Galaxy devices fit an industry-wide trend. Over the past few months, several manufacturers have already announced or rolled out higher prices - Apple chief among them. The main reasons cited are rising costs for memory chips (DRAM), RAM and other components, driven up by strong demand from the AI sector. Industry experts expect this trend to continue with future smartphones too.
Is it worth buying the new Galaxy models?
Whether it's worth upgrading to the Galaxy Z Fold 8 or Galaxy Z Flip 8 mostly comes down to what phone you're using now. If you already have a Galaxy Z Fold 7 or Galaxy Z Flip 7, you probably won't notice much difference day to day. Most leaks so far point to a refresh rather than a revolution - a new chip, small design tweaks, and extra AI features, but nothing groundbreaking.
If you're coming from an older model, or trying a foldable for the first time, you can save a lot more by choosing a professionally refurbished device. That way, you get a quality smartphone with a warranty, while typically saving several hundred euro compared to the price of a new one.
Our picks:
- 👉 Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 (refurbished) — from approx. €1,020
- 👉 Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 (refurbished) — from approx. €680
- 👉 Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 (refurbished) — from approx. €700
- 👉 Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 (refurbished) — from approx. €450
Note: prices may vary depending on availability, seller, storage configuration, colour, condition (grading), ongoing promotions, and delivery/receiving country. You'll find the latest prices on the relevant product pages.
⭐ You might also like: The best refurbished Samsung Galaxy phones in 2026
Not just more affordable: refurbished is the more sustainable choice too
Every new smartphone needs valuable raw materials like lithium, cobalt, rare earth elements and aluminium to manufacture. On top of that, energy-intensive production and long transport routes account for most of a smartphone's carbon footprint. Upgrading to the newest model every year only adds to this resource use.
A refurbed smartphone, on the other hand, extends the lifecycle of a device that's already been made. That means no new raw materials need to be mined, and far less energy goes into production. Choosing a professionally refurbished smartphone - one that's been checked, cleaned and reconditioned to look and work almost like new - doesn't just save you money. It's a more conscious choice for the environment and for the planet's resources. With an upgrade cycle that, like Galaxy Unpacked 2026, looks set to bring evolution rather than revolution, a refurbished model is the smarter pick for a lot of people.
🌿 You can find the product footprint (CO₂ emissions, e-waste, virtual water use) of thousands of products, including Samsung smartphones, in our Product Footprint web app.
The bottom line: is Galaxy Unpacked 2026 worth waiting for?
Galaxy Unpacked 2026 is likely to bring some interesting detail improvements and new AI features - but no major hardware revolution, based on what we know so far. If you'd rather save money and resources at the same time, a refurbished Galaxy model is a compelling alternative: more affordable than a new device, and a more conscious choice for sustainability and a longer product lifecycle.
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