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Samsung’s next Galaxy Unpacked event takes place on July 22, 2026, and it’s shaping up to be one of the company’s biggest launches yet. The event heads to London for the first time in years, where Samsung is expected to unveil a completely new smartphone form factor.
Here’s everything you need to know about the event, including when it starts in your time zone, how to watch it for free, and what Samsung is expected to unveil.
When Galaxy Unpacked 2026 starts
Samsung has confirmed the event for July 22, 2026, in London. The keynote starts at 2 p.m. BST. Here’s what that time looks like around the world:
- 2 p.m. in the UK (BST)
- 9 a.m. on the US East Coast (EDT) and 6 a.m. on the West Coast (PDT)
- 3 p.m. across most of Europe (CEST)
- 3 p.m. in South Africa (SAST/CAT)
- 2 p.m. in Nigeria (WAT)
If you’re in Kenya or elsewhere in East Africa, the show starts around 4 p.m. your time (EAT).
How to watch the livestream
Samsung is streaming the whole event for free, and you don’t need to register to watch. You can catch it live on Samsung.com or on the Samsung Newsroom website, and it also streams on Samsung’s YouTube channel.
The show is expected to run for about an hour, based on past Unpacked events. Registering beforehand at samsung.com/unpacked won’t get you an earlier look at the stream, but it will unlock some pre-order perks (more on that below).
What Samsung is expected to announce
Samsung has only confirmed the date, the venue, the streaming details, and the tagline “A New Shape Unfolds.” Everything about the actual phones and watches below comes from reports, not from Samsung itself.
1. A New Galaxy Z Fold 8 Shape
The teaser video for the Galaxy Z Fold 8 strongly hints at a wider foldable phone, shaped more like a passport than the tall, narrow Fold 7. Reports point to a 5.5-inch cover screen and a 7.6-inch inner screen, available in colours such as Cream, Graphite, Lavender, and Pistachio.
Reported specs mention a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, 12GB of RAM, storage options from 256GB to 1TB, and a 4,800mAh battery. Charging speed is still unclear. Some reports say 25W, others say 45W wired with 15W wireless.
2. Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra
Reports suggest Samsung may rename its traditional tall foldable the “Fold 8 Ultra” this year, while the new wide phone takes on the plain “Fold 8” name.
Reports point to a stronger camera setup with a 200MP main sensor, a 10MP telephoto lens, an upgraded 50MP ultrawide camera, and faster 45W wired charging. Other reported upgrades include a bigger 5,000mAh battery, a thinner build, and the return of S Pen support, which the Fold 7 dropped.
3. Galaxy Z Flip 8
Most reports describe the Flip 8 as a small update rather than a full redesign. It’s expected to keep a similar look to the Flip 7, with a new chip inside and a hinge that hides the crease better than before.
Reports suggest a lighter body and a slimmer folded design, with a chip that now differs by region. Some markets may get a Snapdragon chip while others get an Exynos chip, a switch from last year.
4. Galaxy Watch 9 and Watch Ultra 2
Both watches are reported to switch to a new Qualcomm chip, along with Bluetooth 6.0 and faster Wi-Fi. Some reports say only the Ultra 2 gets the new chip, while the standard Watch 9 sticks with its current one, so this detail remains unsettled.
The Watch Ultra 2’s biggest expected upgrade is battery life, which jumps to around 800mAh from 590mAh, along with a titanium case and a brighter screen. Both watches are expected to run One UI 9 Watch.
5. Galaxy Glasses
Samsung and Google already showed off audio smart glasses earlier this year, built with Gentle Monster and Warby Parker. Samsung said these Galaxy glasses will launch this fall in select markets, so Unpacked may only bring a short tease rather than a full launch. Reported pricing points are estimated between $379 and $499, though this hasn’t been confirmed.
What it might cost
Samsung hasn’t announced any prices yet. Everything below is based on reports.
Prices are expected to rise across the board this year. A global shortage of memory chips, the parts that store data on your phone, has pushed component costs up sharply since late 2025, and Samsung has said this will affect prices industry-wide. As a result, worldwide phone shipments are expected to drop to their lowest level since 2013.
For reference, here’s what last year’s models cost at launch:
- Galaxy Z Fold 7: from $1,999.99
- Galaxy Z Flip 7: $1,099
- Galaxy Watch 8: from $349
- Galaxy Watch Ultra: $649
Reported prices for this year’s lineup suggest:
- Galaxy Z Fold 8 (wide): around $1,899
- Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra: around $2,099, which would make it Samsung’s first foldable priced above $2,000
- Galaxy Z Flip 8: no confirmed US price yet, though European reports suggest a jump of around €100
- Galaxy Watch 9 and Watch Ultra 2: European pricing reports point to increases of roughly €30 to €100, depending on the model
These are estimates only. The real numbers get confirmed on stage on July 22.
How to register and what you get
Registering for Unpacked is free and takes about a minute at samsung.com/unpacked. You don’t need to register to watch the stream. Registering simply unlocks some pre-order perks once the event ends.
Here’s what’s on offer in a few key markets:
- In the US, registering unlocks a $30 Samsung credit toward accessories during pre-order, plus a chance to win one of ten $500 gift cards.
- In the UK, completing a short survey earns you a £30 voucher for Galaxy Watches, Buds, tablets, and computers, plus a chance to win one of eight £1,000 vouchers.
- In South Africa, signing up and redeeming an R500 voucher enters you into a draw for Springbok rugby tickets and signed jerseys.
- In Nigeria and other African markets outside South Africa, Samsung typically runs pre-order deals closer to launch day, so check Samsung’s local pages as launch approaches.
Pre-orders are expected to open right after the event on July 22, with devices reaching stores about two weeks later, likely in early August.
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