The date is set. July 22. London. Samsung is coming for your attention, and CNET will be standing right there in the rain to see what they’ve got.
Summer usually means the big folding phones. The Z Fold. The Z Flip. Routine. This year? Maybe not so routine.
Last week, Samsung started teasing a rectangle on Instagram. A boxy shape. It’s a subtle hint that things are changing. Or maybe they just want us to care about the geometry of our screens again.
“Samsung will introduce its latest Galaxy innovations…” says the corporate statement. “combining intelligent capabilities and new form factors…”
Standard marketing speak. But the timing is aggressive. Apple’s fall event is coming. Everyone thinks the foldable iPhone is dropping in September. We’ve heard the rumors for years. I’ll believe it when I actually hold the thing. Until then, Samsung gets the last laugh. Or the last punch.
So, what are we waiting for?
The Shape-Shifting Folds
Here is the confusing part. The numbering scheme.
Samsung is technically on generation seven. You’d expect the Z Fold 8. But rumors are swirling around a split in the family. And not just a refresh with a slightly better processor.
We might see two distinct paths:
- The Galaxy Z Fold 8 “Ultra” (or whatever they call it): This sticks to the familiar format. Square-ish screen. Proven design. But it gets a bigger, stronger identity to stand apart.
- The Galaxy Z Fold “Wide” : This is the wildcard.
The Wide version is reportedly shifting its aspect ratio. Currently, the Z Fold screen is almost square. A 1:1 deal. Great for documents, terrible for movies. That wide black bar eats your content. The rumored “Wide” model pushes toward a 4:3 ratio. It’s wider. Shorter. Much more cinematic.
Why fix it if it wasn’t broken? Because Samsung designers are bored. And frankly, so am I with the square screen.
Glasses You Might Actually Wear
Google mentioned them first. Back at I/O.
Mixed reality glasses. But here is the kicker. Samsung is making the hardware. In partnership with Warby Parker. And Gentle Monster.
Scott Stein already tried them on. Prototypes only, so keep expectations grounded. We don’t know the price. We don’t know the exact specs beyond “cameras and mics.”
Obviously, the mics are there so you can scream at Google’s Gemini AI when it misunderstands you.
My only hope for these is usability. I don’t care if they are powerful. I care if they look decent. Will they have a try-on section at Unpacked? I’m hoping. My wife deserves a second look at me, regardless of my facial accessories.
Batteries. Big Ones.
Smartwatches die. That’s the rule.
But Samsung wants to break the rule. Again.
Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is rumored to pack a massive 800 mAh battery. That isn’t a typo. Most Wear OS watches can’t compete with that kind of stamina. It’s meant for people who hike in the wilds while their legs give out but the watch keeps ticking.
Galaxy Watch 9 gets the update too. Better processor. Refreshed looks. Maybe a smaller boost.
It’s enough. If the battery lasts all day without hunting for an outlet, I’m sold.
The Ring That Might Not Show Up
Yes. Galaxy Ring 2 exists. Forbes says so. Samsung says it’s in development.
Better tracking. Better battery. Sleeker design presumably.
But won’t be at Unpacked.
No point teasing a wearable that goes on your finger if you aren’t selling it in July. It makes more sense to drop it at CES early 2027. Or maybe MWC. Let the foldables have the summer spotlight. The ring can have its moment later.
Don’t pack a bag to try on the new ring. Save your finger space.
How to Watch
Tune in on July 22. Watch the rectangle tease unfold into something wider. Watch the glasses land.
And wonder if Apple is watching too. 📱👀
