Samsung unveiled its next-generation foldables, headlined by the first wide foldable for the US market alongside a pair of new smartwatches, with open sales starting on August 7 according to release announcements. Buyers looking at the Galaxy Z Fold8, the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, and the Galaxy Z Flip8 face new pricing structures and trade-in offers from both direct manufacturers and major retailers.
Samsung US Pricing, Trade-Ins, and Promotions
Samsung US has discontinued free storage upgrades for the new foldable lineup, according to retail details. To offset this change, the company applies direct discounts of $200 off the Z Fold8 and Z Fold8 Ultra, and $150 off the Z Flip8, which covers most or all of the price gap between the base 256GB models and their 512GB upgrades. Additional savings are available for customers who complete purchases using PayPal with the code PAYPAL100, yielding an extra $100 off the Folds without requiring a trade-in. Trade-in values reach up to $1,200 off the Folds and up to $600 off the Flip for eligible older devices.
Amazon Gift Card Offers and Bonuses
Amazon takes a different promotional route by offering gift cards instead of direct price cuts, according to retail listings. Buyers receive $350 in gift cards for the Folds and $200 for the Flip. These offers are paired with trade-in bonuses, providing extra credit on top of the base trade-in value of an old device.
Competitor Landscape: Google and Motorola Foldables
Competition in the foldable market includes the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold, featuring a 6.4-inch cover display, an 8.0-inch inner display, a Tensor G5 chip, and a 5,015mAh battery with 30W wired and 15W wireless charging, according to product specifications. The Pixel offers superior IP68 dust and water resistance, though the newer Pixel 11 series is scheduled for release on August 12. Motorola offers the Moto Razr Fold with an IP48 and IP49 rating, a 6.6-inch cover display, an 8.1-inch inner display, a Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 processor, and a 6,000mAh Si/C battery supporting 80W wired and 50W wireless charging.
Motorola Razr Flip Lineup Comparisons
Motorola’s flip lineup includes the 2025 Razr Ultra priced at $400 less than the Z Flip8, equipped with a 4-inch cover display, a 7-inch inner display, a Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, a 4,700mAh battery, an IP48 rating, and dual 50MP cameras. The basic Motorola Razr 2025 features a Dimensity 7400X chipset and a 4,500mAh battery. For the 2026 generation, the Motorola Razr Ultra 2026 costs nearly twice its 2025 predecessor while maintaining a similar Snapdragon 8 Elite processor and camera setup, adding a brighter display and a 5,000mAh battery. The Motorola Razr+ 2026 costs $100 less than the Z Flip8 but runs on older hardware powered by a Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chip. The Motorola Razr 2026 features a Dimensity 7450X, faster UFS 3.1 storage, and a 4,800mAh battery.
Smartwatch Alternatives and Satellite Connectivity
Samsung also launched the Galaxy Watch Ultra2 alongside a new vanilla Galaxy Watch, featuring an 800mAh battery and a Snapdragon Wear Elite chipset, according to hands-on reviews. Competitor options include the Google Pixel Watch 4, which is discounted by $100 for the LTE model and includes satellite SOS connectivity—a feature absent on the Galaxy Watch Ultra2. The Apple Watch Ultra 3 includes satellite SOS at more than double the price of the Pixel and $80 above the Galaxy, with both the Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and Apple Watch Ultra 3 rated for diving with dedicated apps.
Galaxy S26 Series Alternatives
Buyers can also consider traditional slab phones from the Galaxy S26 family. The Galaxy S26 Ultra features the same 200MP main camera and 50MP ultra-wide camera as the Z Fold8 Ultra, alongside a 50MP 5x periscope lens, measuring 7.9mm thick and weighing 214g with a 5,000mAh battery. The base Galaxy S26 measures 7.2mm thick, weighs 167g, includes a 4,300mAh battery, and holds an IP68 dust and water resistance rating. Both US market models utilize the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy.
Did you know? Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold8 marks the introduction of the first wide foldable form factor specifically built for the US market.
Pro Tip: Buyers looking to maximize savings on the new foldables can combine manufacturer promotional discounts with platform-specific codes like PayPal checkout offers before trade-in submissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do open sales start for the new Samsung foldables?
Open sales for the new Samsung foldables and smartwatches start on August 7, following the pre-order period.
Does Samsung US offer free storage upgrades for the Z Fold8?
No, Samsung US no longer offers free storage upgrades, but the company provides direct cash discounts ranging from $150 to $200 depending on the model.
What processor powers the US versions of the Galaxy Z Fold8 and S26 series?
The US market versions of the Galaxy Z Fold series, Z Flip8, and S26 family are powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy.
How does the Pixel 10 Pro Fold’s durability compare to the Galaxy foldables?
The Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold offers superior IP68 dust and water resistance compared to the Galaxy foldables.
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