Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 Is for Everyone Who Can’t Stop Scrolling - CNET

Samsung unveiled the $1,900 Galaxy Z Fold 8 at its Galaxy Unpacked event, positioning the book-style foldable as an entertainment-focused device rather than a productivity tool, with preorders open now and general availability on Aug. 7.
The new model sits between the $1,200 clamshell Z Flip 8 and the top-tier $2,100 Z Fold 8 Ultra, which continues the design of last year's Z Fold 7.
Its 4:3 aspect ratio and passport-sized shape aim to suit horizontal video watching, landscape multitasking and vertical app browsing, and it feels notably compact and palm-sized when folded.
The launch comes as Apple reportedly prepares its first foldable iPhone for the fall, which rumors suggest may also feature a squarish 4:3 aspect ratio similar to some iPad models.
IDC's Francisco Jeronimo described the move as "Samsung going on the offensive," noting that launching a wider, passport-style foldable ahead of Apple lets Samsung define the new format on its own terms rather than reacting later.
With Apple's expected announcement less than two months away, Jeronimo framed this as the first Unpacked where Samsung must defend the foldable category it created, though the company benefits from several generations of design experience and consumer feedback.