Samsung Details Design Philosophy Behind New Galaxy Z Fold, Flip, and Watch Series
Samsung executives reveal the design thinking behind the new Galaxy Z Fold8, Z Flip8, and Galaxy Watch Ultra2/9 series, emphasizing comfort, slimness, and user experience.
At the recent Galaxy Unpacked event on July 22, 2026, Samsung Electronics unveiled its latest lineup of foldable smartphones and smartwatches, including the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold8, Galaxy Z Flip8, Galaxy Watch Ultra2, and Galaxy Watch9. Executives shared insights into the design principles guiding these new devices, highlighting a unified focus on user comfort across the range.
Hubert Lee, Executive Vice President and Head of the Design Team for Samsung's Mobile eXperience (MX) Business, explained the core considerations for the new Galaxy foldables. "Today’s Galaxy devices are faster and more powerful than ever. We considered how we could go one step further to deliver a more natural and comfortable experience," Lee stated. He emphasized that slimness and lightness are crucial for a comfortable user experience, impacting how easily a device opens, feels in the hand, and integrates into daily life. Samsung's design philosophy for this generation, termed "Emotive Geometry," aims to infuse human warmth into the refined forms of Galaxy devices, creating a balanced aesthetic that resonates emotionally with users beyond just performance.
The expansion of the Galaxy Z series portfolio was driven by a deeper understanding of diverse user needs over seven generations of foldable innovation. "As user expectations for foldables have become more diverse, we have also recognised that no single foldable can meet every need – one size does not fit all," Lee elaborated. This led to an expanded lineup designed to cater to different priorities, whether users prioritize productivity and multitasking or portability.
Refining Slimness and Portability
The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, noted as the slimmest Galaxy Z Fold yet, was shaped by the "Emotive Slim" design concept. This approach focused not only on reducing physical thickness but also on how slim the device appears and feels during use. Design elements include a gentle slope to the frame for easier opening, a more curved outer silhouette for a comfortable grip, and a minimized flat side profile to enhance visual slimness. For the standard Galaxy Z Fold8, the design drew inspiration from a passport, prioritizing ergonomics for one-handed use with a 16:10 aspect ratio when folded, and an immersive 4:3 display when unfolded. Color palettes for the new series, including Violet Shadow, Lavender, Pink, Cream, and Graphite, were selected to reflect the intended lifestyles of the users for each model.
The design of the Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and Galaxy Watch9 also underwent refinement, focusing on enhancing daily wearability. "If a smartphone lives in the hand, a smartwatch delivers its greatest value when it’s comfortable enough to wear every day," Lee explained. The core cushion design of the Galaxy Watch was preserved, with enhancements focused on a seamless integration of the screen, bezel, and body for a cleaner profile, particularly on the Galaxy Watch Ultra2. Refinements were also made to button spacing and tactile separation for easier control without needing to look at the screen.
Wearability was a key focus for the watch bands as well. For the new Galaxy Watch series, bands were made lighter, thinner, and more breathable with a new air pocket structure. Samsung utilized computational design, analyzing over one hundred million data points from real users and ten thousand simulations, to ensure optimal comfort and fit for diverse wrist shapes. The balance between the watch body and band was refined for improved stability, and expanded band options offer greater personalization.
The overarching design philosophy connecting all the new Galaxy devices underscores the importance of human-centered values in an era of AI-driven change. Samsung believes that design should not only be seen but profoundly felt, originating from a deep understanding of how people live, work, and interact with technology daily. This user-centric approach has guided the development of Samsung's latest foldables and smartwatches.