Samsung Unveils Three Foldables, Smart Glasses Amid Price Hikes

Samsung raised prices across its new foldable lineup by $100, with the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra starting at $2,099, the Z Fold8 at $1,899, and the Z Flip8 at $1,199 Source: CNBC. The company also unveiled its first smart glasses, developed with Google, Gentle Monster, and Warby Parker, available this fall Source: The Verge.

New Foldables

Samsung introduced a third foldable, the Galaxy Z Fold8, with a passport-like 4:3 inner display designed for content consumption. The Z Fold8 Ultra succeeds the Z Fold7 with an 8-inch main screen and 200MP camera Source: Ars Technica. The Z Flip8 is thinner and lighter, but all three share the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor Source: The Verge.

Smart Glasses

Samsung's 'intelligent eyewear' features a camera, speakers, and up to 9 hours of battery life, powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon AR1 Gen1 chip Source: CNBC. They integrate with Google Gemini and Samsung's Bixby, but exact pricing remains unclear Source: Gizmodo.

Price and Market Context

The price hikes reflect rising memory chip costs; IDC forecasts a 14% contraction in the overall smartphone market but 20% growth in foldables Source: CNA. Analysts expect Apple's first foldable iPhone later this year, intensifying competition Source: CNBC. Some observers consider the Z Fold8 a 'free ad' for Apple's upcoming foldable, while Samsung positions it as a media-first device Source: Gizmodo.