Samsung has sent waves through the tech world by teasing an “Ultra” variant of its foldable phone lineup the Galaxy Z Fold. This marks the first time the company has used the “Ultra” moniker in reference to its foldables, suggesting a potential shift in its premium product strategy. However, despite the buzz, it remains unclear whether this represents an entirely new model or simply a more powerful version of the existing Galaxy Z Fold.
Unveiled in a teaser on Tuesday, May 3, Samsung announced that it is developing a Galaxy Z Fold “Ultra” with “seamless AI integration optimized for the foldable format.” While the company refrained from sharing hardware specifications, the language of the announcement hints at an enhanced user experience powered by AI, rather than a full-blown hardware overhaul.
For over six years, Samsung has maintained a consistent rhythm in its foldable offerings releasing a flagship book-style Galaxy Z Fold and a clamshell-style Galaxy Z Flip each year. Past reports suggested the company might introduce a budget-friendly variant of the Galaxy Z Flip to make foldables more accessible. Now, with the emergence of an “Ultra” variant, it seems Samsung is focusing on expanding the upper end of its foldable lineup.
This move aligns with Samsung’s broader product naming strategy. The “Ultra” branding has typically denoted the highest-end models, such as the Galaxy S24 Ultra, featuring top-tier specs and exclusive features. An Ultra Fold could follow this pattern, possibly offering better cameras, a larger display, longer battery life, or even a titanium build — features that appeal to power users and professionals.
Alternatively, the Ultra tag could simply refer to the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold6, which might receive a substantial upgrade in AI capabilities and hardware refinement, distinguishing it from the standard model.
Samsung is expected to unveil its next generation of foldables at its Unpacked event scheduled for later this month. Whether the Galaxy Z Fold Ultra turns out to be a new model or a rebranded, feature-rich Fold6, it is clear that Samsung is doubling down on AI and premium innovation in the foldable space.
