SEOUL, July 22 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics is set to widen its foldable smartphone lineup and make its long-awaited entry into the AI smart glasses market on Wednesday (KST), betting that premium hardware, artificial intelligence and fashion-forward wearables can help it challenge Meta in the next phase of consumer AI.
At its Galaxy Unpacked event in London, Samsung is expected to unveil the Galaxy Z Fold 8, Z Fold 8 Ultra and Z Flip 8, alongside its first Android XR-powered smart glasses and new Galaxy Watch models, extending its AI ecosystem beyond smartphones.
The smart glasses are expected to be developed on Google's Android XR platform and designed in collaboration with global eyewear brands including Gentle Monster and Warby Parker, underscoring Samsung's effort to differentiate its offering with everyday wearability rather than technology alone. The strategy contrasts with Meta's Ray-Ban partnership, which currently dominates the AI eyewear market.
Samsung is also expected to introduce the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, marking the first expansion of its foldable lineup to three models as it targets the premium smartphone segment. The Ultra model is widely expected to feature an 8-inch display, a 200-megapixel main camera and a 50-megapixel ultra-wide camera, while the broader Fold lineup is anticipated to adopt Samsung's new One UI 9 software and a titanium-based hinge structure designed to reduce display creases and improve durability.
The event comes as Meta's Ray-Ban Meta glasses have begun reaching South Korean consumers through the country's three major mobile carriers, highlighting intensifying competition in AI-powered wearable devices. Samsung's unveiling is expected to signal a broader push to connect smartphones, XR devices and AI services into a unified ecosystem as the company seeks new growth beyond conventional mobile hardware.
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