Samsung's foldables & watches get pricey: are you ready?

Get ready to loosen those purse strings. Samsung's upcoming Galaxy Unpacked event on July 22 is set to unveil the Galaxy Z Fold 8, Z Fold 8 Ultra, Z Flip 8, and new Galaxy Watch models, and early price leaks from WinFuture suggest a significant jump in cost for those eyeing the latest foldable tech. Prepare for sticker shock.

The foldables: a premium price tag

The Galaxy Z Flip 8, Samsung’s clamshell offering, sees a notable increase. The 256 GB model will retail for €1,299 (roughly $1,486 USD), a €100 bump from last year’s Z Flip 7. Opting for the 512 GB version will set you back €1,499 (around $1,715 USD), an even steeper €180 increase. For those craving maximum storage, the Z Fold 8 with 1 TB will cost a hefty €2,599 ($2,973 USD).

But the real price surge is hitting the Z Fold 8 Ultra. The base 256 GB model starts at €2,199 ($2,516 USD), a €100 increase. The 512 GB version jumps to €2,399 ($2,745 USD), and the 1 TB model will command an eye-watering €2,799 ($3,202 USD) – a staggering €280 increase over last year's model. This positions the Ultra firmly in luxury device territory.

Galaxy watch 9: incremental upgrades, incremental costs

The Galaxy Watch 9 line also sees a price bump, albeit a smaller one. The 40 mm Bluetooth version will cost €409 (approximately $468 USD), up €40 from the Galaxy Watch 8. The LTE version adds another €20, coming in at €459 ($525 USD). The 44 mm Bluetooth model is priced at €439 ($502 USD), a €30 increase, while the LTE version will cost €489 ($559 USD). The Ultra 2 LTE commands a premium at €749 ($857 USD), a €50 bump over the original Galaxy Watch Ultra.

What’s driving these price increases? Beyond standard inflation, Samsung is reportedly packing a significantly upgraded 5,000 mAh battery into the Galaxy Z Fold 8, a welcome improvement over last year's 4,400 mAh. Moreover, wired charging speeds are doubling to 45W, a substantial boost for those needing a quick power-up. The Z Fold 8 Wide gets a 4,800 mAh battery, while the Z Flip 8 retains the 4,300 mAh battery from its predecessor.

While US Dollar pricing remains subject to exchange rate fluctuations and Samsung’s final pricing strategy, these Euro prices offer a sobering glimpse into what consumers can expect. Don't expect these upgrades to come cheap; Samsung is clearly positioning its foldable devices and smartwatches as premium offerings, and the price reflects that ambition. Whether consumers are willing to pay the premium remains to be seen.