Why the Galaxy Z Fold or Flip Might Be Samsung’s Next ‘Ultra’ – A Deep Dive Into the July 9 Galaxy Unpacked Event

Samsung is ready to turn heads yet again with its upcoming Galaxy Unpacked event on July 9, 2025. With the teaser tagline, “Ultra Unfolds,” anticipation is building as speculation swirls over whether the company is poised to push its foldable smartphones—the Galaxy Z Fold and Galaxy Z Flip—into new “Ultra” territory. This would mark a significant leap for Samsung’s already cutting-edge flexible devices, reshaping the premium smartphone landscape.

But what does the possibility of a Galaxy Z Fold Ultra or Z Flip Ultra mean for Samsung, the competition, and—more importantly—you, the consumer? Let’s unpack the details.

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1. The Evolution of the Galaxy Fold and Flip Series

Samsung has held a pioneering position in the foldable smartphone market, introducing the first Galaxy Fold back in 2019. Since then, the Fold and Flip series have undergone continuous refinement, with improved durability, better hinge technology, and more robust software experiences.

• Galaxy Z Fold: Designed primarily as a productivity powerhouse, the Fold allows users to transition seamlessly between a compact smartphone and a tablet.

• Galaxy Z Flip: Aimed at the style-conscious crowd, the Flip is more compact and playful, packing powerful specs into a pocket-friendly clamshell design.

While these devices have steadily climbed in popularity, they’ve yet to hold the “Ultra” badge that Samsung reserves for its most advanced offerings. With Ultra models typically delivering the best-in-class cameras, performance, and build quality (like the Galaxy S Ultra series), it begs the question: Are the Z Fold and Z Flip ready for this super-premium title?

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2. What Could an “Ultra” Foldable Look Like?

If Samsung upgrades its foldables to “Ultra,” here’s what we might expect:

#### – Best-in-Class Cameras Traditionally, foldables have lagged behind their slab phone counterparts in camera technology. An Ultra version might change that by introducing features like: – A 200MP primary sensor (borrowed from the Galaxy S Ultra series) – Improved zoom capabilities, possibly 10x optical zoom – Enhanced low-light photography with larger sensors and AI-powered processing

#### – Flagship-Level Build Quality The durability of foldables is always questioned. An Ultra Fold or Flip could address this with: – Gorilla Glass Victus 3 (or similar) on the outer surfaces – A more durable ultra-thin glass (UTG) display for better scratch resistance – IP68 water and dust resistance

#### – Immersive Displays – A Fold Ultra might feature a 2K resolution main display with a 120Hz refresh rate, pushing the tablet experience even further. – Reduced crease visibility or a near-invisible hinge mechanism could elevate daily usability.

#### – Performance Beast An Ultra foldable would likely come equipped with the best silicon on the market—potentially Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 or Samsung’s custom Exynos chips (depending on region).

#### – S Pen Integration The Fold has flirted with S Pen compatibility, but full integration into an Ultra model, complete with onboard storage for the stylus, would close the loop for productivity enthusiasts.

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3. Why Push Foldables Into the Ultra Category?

There are three key factors driving the push toward an Ultra foldable series:

#### – Consumer Demand for Innovation As smartphone hardware plateaued over the past few years, foldables brought excitement back to the industry. But even foldables need their next big moment. Introducing Ultra-level features could entice new buyers and encourage upgrades from existing users.

#### – The Competitive Landscape Samsung currently rules the foldable market, but challengers like Huawei, Oppo, and Google (with its Pixel Fold) are gaining traction. To maintain its position, Samsung must innovate relentlessly. Adopting the Ultra badge would solidify its foldables as the ultimate expression of premium technology in this category.

#### – Extreme Profit Margins in Flagship Devices Let’s face it: Ultra-tier devices come with ultra-sized price tags, and Samsung’s able to position these models as status symbols. This allows the company to bolster its bottom line without losing audience appeal.

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4. What the Competition is Doing to Keep Up

Samsung may pioneer foldables, but rivals are catching up fast. Here are a few noteworthy names posing challenges:

• Google’s Pixel Fold

Google launched its own foldable with a strong focus on software integration. While not as polished as Samsung’s Fold series yet, the Pixel Fold emphasizes refined multitasking with native Android optimizations.

• Huawei Mate X3

Huawei’s foldables have garnered attention for their slim profile and premium materials, though U.S. sanctions continue to limit their global expansion.

• Oppo Find N2

Oppo’s foldables are gaining significant traction in Asia, offering value-packed options with innovative hinge designs and zero-crease displays.

If Samsung’s Ultra foldables hit the mark, it could easily extend its lead in this competitive market. But there’s no room for complacency.

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5. Potential Challenges Ahead for Samsung

While the prospect of an Ultra foldable is exciting, there are some hurdles that could temper enthusiasm:

• Price: Ultra-tier pricing is already sky-high, and foldables are notoriously expensive to manufacture. Not everyone will be keen to shell out upwards of $2,000 for the flagship experience.

• Durability Concerns: Despite advances, foldable devices are still more fragile than traditional smartphones. An Ultra model would have to seriously address these pain points.

• Software Optimization: The multitasking experience on foldable screens is good—but it’s not perfect. Samsung needs to push One UI even further to match the ambitious hardware.

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6. What to Expect on July 9

Galaxy Unpacked events never fail to impress, and July 9 promises to be no different. While Samsung hasn’t revealed much beyond the teaser tagline, there are a few expectations we can reasonably set:

• The unveiling of the Galaxy Z Fold Ultra and/or Galaxy Z Flip Ultra

• Potential updates to other Galaxy accessories, such as Galaxy Buds or Galaxy Watch

• A strong focus on foldable software improvements, potentially with collaborations from Google

And let’s not forget the possibility of surprises—Samsung has a history of slipping unexpected announcements into its keynotes.

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Key Takeaways

The July 9 Galaxy Unpacked event promises to redefine Samsung’s foldables lineup with the possible introduction of Ultra-tier models. Here’s what we can conclude:

• Galaxy Z Fold and Flip Ultra could push boundaries in performance, durability, and camera capabilities.

• This shift would help Samsung fend off rising competition from rivals like Huawei, Oppo, and Google.

• Consumers should expect both jaw-dropping innovation and sky-high price tags.

• For foldables to truly dominate, manufacturers must address durability concerns and refine software experiences.

Samsung’s gamble on foldables has already paid off in cementing its leadership in the smartphone market, but adopting the Ultra label could propel the Z Fold and Z Flip to iconic status. As we await July 9, one thing is certain: the spotlight is firmly on Samsung to unfold its most ambitious devices yet.

Whether you’re a foldables enthusiast or someone keeping tabs on the next big thing in tech, the Galaxy Unpacked event is one you won’t want to miss. Stay tuned—because it seems like “Ultra” is just around the corner.