Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 and Z Fold8 Ultra launch, Week 30 in review

Samsung unveiled its 2026 foldable lineup and the book-style family now features two distinct models - the shorter and wider (4:3) Galaxy Z Fold8, aimed at media consumption and everyday usability. The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra retains the taller, productivity-focused design with upgraded cameras and a larger battery. Both are powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, but the Ultra is positioned as Samsung's premium foldable for power users. Pre-orders are now open, with global availability starting August 7. Pricing starts at €1,999/$1,899.99 for the Galaxy Z Fold8 and €2,200/$2,099.99 for the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra.

The Galaxy Watch Ultra2 finally arrived with a thinner design despite packing a much larger 800mAh battery, while retaining its single 47mm size and titanium construction. Alongside it, Samsung introduced the Galaxy Watch9, available in 40mm and 44mm sizes with modest battery upgrades, brighter displays, the new Snapdragon Wear Elite chipset, and expanded AI-powered health tracking features. Both smartwatches are available for pre-order now, with general sales beginning August 7. The Classic model will take a year off.

HMD unveiled the Nokia 123 Shield, a rugged feature phone built for reliability rather than smart features. It offers IP68 water and dust resistance, a 2.4-inch display, a 2,000mAh removable battery rated for up to 19 days of standby, a bright flashlight, FM radio, Bluetooth, USB-C charging, and expandable storage via microSD. The Nokia 123 Shield is priced at €49 and is set to go on sale in late July in select markets.

HMD has unveiled the Nokia 123 Shield, a rugged feature phone built for reliability rather than smart features. It offers IP68 water and dust resistance, a 2.4-inch display, a 2,000mAh removable battery rated for up to 19 days of standby, a bright flashlight, FM radio, Bluetooth, USB-C charging, and expandable storage via microSD. The Nokia 123 Shield is priced at €49 and is set to go on sale in late July in select markets.

The iQOO 16T is shaping up to be a flagship gaming phone, with tipster Digital Chat Station claiming it's being tested with either Qualcomm's rumored 2nm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 or MediaTek's upcoming Dimensity 9600 chipset. The phone is also said to feature a flat 2K Samsung display and a built-in cooling fan, although its launch may not happen until next year since the iQOO 15T debuted only recently.

The vivo X300 E has officially been confirmed by vivo ahead of its July 27 launch in China. The phone packs a 7,200mAh battery, features a Zeiss-branded triple-camera system with a periscope telephoto lens, and comes in black, orange, and white. While vivo hasn't revealed the full specifications yet, previous leaks point to a 6.59-inch AMOLED display, Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chipset, 50MP main and periscope cameras, 8MP ultrawide, and 90W wired charging. Pre-orders are already open in China, with sales beginning July 27, though pricing has yet to be announced.