Samsung has been busy expanding its hardware ecosystem and digital health infrastructure. During the Galaxy Unpacked event in July 2026, the company introduced its latest generation of foldable smartphones and wearable devices. The hardware launch coincided with a comprehensive strategy update regarding preventive health and artificial intelligence.
Samsung Updates Foldable Lineup with Galaxy Z Fold8 Series
The company announced the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold8, and Galaxy Z Flip8, marking the latest iteration of its foldable smartphone category. This year, Samsung introduced a new form factor for the Galaxy Z Fold8 designed to prioritize content exploration. This design shift aims to broaden the appeal of foldables beyond early adopters to a more mainstream audience.
The new devices enter a competitive market currently occupied by the Google Pixel Fold and OnePlus Open. While the Z Fold8 focuses on a revised aspect ratio, the Z Flip8 maintains its compact clamshell design. Samsung stated that this lineup represents its most complete collection of foldables to date. The devices serve as the primary hardware interface for the company's expanding suite of software services.
- Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra: The flagship model with the largest display in the series.
- Galaxy Z Fold8: A redesigned form factor for improved ergonomics.
- Galaxy Z Flip8: The latest version of the compact folding phone.
New Wearables Focus on Durability and Health Tracking
Beyond the smartphones, the company also unveiled the Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and Galaxy Watch9. These wearables are positioned as the central data collection points for Samsung's health ecosystem. The Watch Ultra2 follows the high-durability trend established by competitors like the Apple Watch Ultra, targeting users who require longer battery life and more robust materials for outdoor activities.
The Galaxy Watch9 serves as the standard wearable option, featuring updated sensors for biological signal monitoring. These sensors are critical for the company's "Connected Care" initiative, which was a major theme of the July event. The watches work in tandem with the new foldable phones to provide real-time feedback on user activity and physiological metrics.
AI-Driven Preventive Health and the 'Connected Care' Vision
On a different front, Samsung hosted a Health Forum panel titled "Rewriting the Rules of Preventive Health" in London. The company outlined a vision for Connected Care based on three pillars: everyday behavior, clinical credibility, and advanced AI research. The goal is to move from reactive health monitoring to a preventive model that uses AI to interpret biosignals before health issues become acute.
A significant part of this strategy involves the integration of Samsung Health and Samsung Food. This system uses behavior change science to offer nutrition experiences, including meal logs and specific health indices such as BMI, Antioxidant levels, and Advanced Glycation End-products (AGEs). According to Samsung, the integration aims to function like a digital dietitian that automates healthy choices for the user.
Strategic Partnerships and Clinical Validation
In related news, Samsung is collaborating with global health organizations to ensure clinical credibility. Partners include the NHS in the UK, San Cecilio University Hospital in Spain, and Gemelli in Italy. These collaborations focus on validating digital health tools for cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk management and other chronic conditions.
The company is also addressing data security through a Decentralized Clinical Trial framework developed at the Samsung R&D Institute UK. This framework utilizes pseudonymized data protected by Samsung Knox security. Meanwhile, researchers in Brazil are working on self-supervised learning models to better interpret signals from ECG, ACC, and PPG sensors.
To support physical fitness, Samsung is integrating iFIT premium programs into its health platform. Users can now access guided sessions where Galaxy Watch metrics are tracked in real-time. A new Fitness Index provides a holistic score of physical health, offering personalized recommendations based on the user's current performance and recovery data.
The integration of specialized health research with consumer-grade hardware suggests a shift toward more regulated, data-heavy wearable technology. As Samsung continues to refine its foldable designs and AI models, the focus appears to be on creating a unified ecosystem where hardware serves as a continuous monitor for long-term wellness.