The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Wide has been certified—and confirmed its July 22 launch date in London

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Wide has taken another step toward its official launch. On June 10, 2026, it became known that Samsung’s wide-format foldable smartphone had passed BIS certification in India (Bureau of Indian Standards) — together with the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2. Both devices received official model numbers and confirmed availability in one of the world’s largest markets. Only a few weeks remain before the announcement at Samsung Unpacked.

What Is BIS Certification and Why Is It Important?

BIS certification (Bureau of Indian Standards) is a mandatory requirement for selling smartphones and wearable devices in India. Manufacturers complete it in advance because the procedure takes several weeks. The appearance of the Galaxy Z Fold8 Wide and Watch Ultra 2 in the BIS database means Samsung has finalized the hardware configuration of both devices and is preparing for production launch.

Confirmed model numbers:

• Galaxy Z Fold8 Wide (wide form factor): SM-F971B
• Galaxy Watch Ultra 2: SM-L715F

The certification documents themselves do not reveal technical specifications — but combined with earlier leaks, they provide a clear picture of what Samsung is preparing for July.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Wide: What Is Known About the Specifications

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Wide is a fundamentally new form factor for the lineup. While the standard Z Fold8 Ultra (the successor to the Z Fold7) keeps the familiar vertical book-style design, the Wide offers a different approach: a wide internal screen with a 4:3 aspect ratio, close to the iPad mini format. Here is what leaks and regulatory documents say about each key parameter.

Display and Dimensions

According to leaks and CAD renders, the Galaxy Z Fold8 Wide will have:

• Internal display: 7.6 inches, 4:3 aspect ratio
• Dimensions when unfolded: 123.9 × 161.4 × 4.9 mm
• Dimensions when folded: 123.9 × 82.2 × 9.8 mm
• Weight: around 200 g

The 4:3 format is the key difference. When unfolded, the Wide looks like a tablet in landscape orientation, which is ideal for working with documents, spreadsheets, video content and multitasking. This is exactly how Apple positions the iPad mini — and this is precisely the audience Samsung is targeting with the Wide.

Processor and Memory

Both new foldable models — Z Fold8 Ultra and Z Fold8 Wide — will receive Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy: the same chip used in the Galaxy S26 Ultra, with a 19% CPU performance increase, 24% GPU increase and 39% NPU increase compared with the previous generation. Globally, there will be one processor for all markets, with no Exynos version.

Cameras

The Galaxy Z Fold8 Wide camera system, according to current data:

• Main camera: 50 MP
• Ultra-wide camera: 50 MP
• Front camera (external): no confirmed details

Two equal 50-megapixel modules are an unusual solution. The standard Z Fold8 Ultra will have a flagship 200 MP main camera, while the Wide makes a compromise for the sake of a more compact body and better weight balance.

Battery and Charging

• Battery capacity: 4,800 mAh
• Charging: 45 W wired

The 4,800 mAh battery is larger than in the Z Fold7 (4,400 mAh), but smaller than the 5,000 mAh unit in the standard Z Fold8 Ultra. Support for 45 W charging will, for the first time, allow a Samsung foldable to charge quickly — previous generations were limited to 25 W.

Gemini Intelligence — Exclusive at Launch

As we have already written, Google and Samsung announced that Gemini Intelligence will debut specifically on the new foldable devices — Galaxy Z Fold8 Wide, Z Fold8 Ultra and Z Flip8 — before the Galaxy S26 and Pixel 10. This means contextual understanding of the screen, cross-app actions without manual copying and proactive AI suggestions right out of the box.

Galaxy Watch Ultra 2: What Is Known

Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is the second device that received BIS certification together with the Fold8 Wide. The first-generation Watch Ultra was released in 2024 and became Samsung’s flagship smartwatch. The 2026 version will receive major hardware upgrades — primarily a new chip and a larger battery.

Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 Specifications

• Model number: SM-L715F
• Battery: 800 mAh (a significant increase)
• Connectivity: 5G (confirmed)
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear Elite — a new chip for wearable devices
• Software: Wear OS with One UI Watch — a new interface from Google and Samsung

Snapdragon Wear Elite is a fundamentally new smartwatch chip from Qualcomm that will replace Snapdragon W5+. It promises a significant increase in performance and efficiency, which is critically important for a device with an 800 mAh battery.

Samsung Unpacked on July 22 in London: What Will Be Announced

On July 22, 2026, Samsung will hold one of the most packed Unpacked events in its history in London. For the first time, the event will take place in London — not in New York or Seoul — as a signal of a strategic focus on the European premium smartphone market.

Expected lineup of announcements:

• Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra — successor to the Z Fold7, vertical book-style form factor
• Galaxy Z Fold8 Wide — new wide-format foldable (our main focus)
• Galaxy Z Flip8 — successor to the Z Flip7, clamshell form factor
• Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 — flagship smartwatch
• Galaxy Watch 9 — standard watch lineup
• Galaxy XR Glasses — Samsung’s first AR glasses
• Galaxy Tab S12 — possibly alongside the main devices

Pre-orders will open on the day of the announcement. Shipping is expected approximately 2 weeks later — roughly in the first half of August 2026.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Wide vs iPhone Ultra: Direct Competition

The choice of London as the venue for Unpacked is no accident. Samsung is bringing the Wide and Z Fold8 Ultra to market 2 months before Apple’s expected iPhone Ultra (September 2026). The strategy is obvious: take shelf space, gather reviews and shape the narrative before Apple presents its first foldable.

Key differences in approach: