Apple, Samsung, Google all target $2,000 foldable phones

Key Takeaways

• Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 launches July 22 at $1,999, designed to resemble Apple's upcoming foldable
• Google's Pixel Fold successor arrives August 12, also priced at $1,999 or higher
• Apple's iPhone Ultra enters mass production with 10 million initial units, expected in September

Apple, Samsung, and Google will all launch foldable smartphones priced around $2,000 within the next few months, creating a new premium tier that asks consumers and enterprises alike to rethink what a smartphone should cost. Samsung goes first on July 22, Google follows August 12, and Apple is expected in September. The synchronicity is not accidental.

These companies work together more than their marketing suggests. Samsung manufactures iPhone displays. Google builds the Android OS Samsung uses. Apple integrates Google Gemini for AI features. That collaboration means the three foldables will share more DNA than their competitive posturing implies.

What's Samsung announcing at Galaxy Unpacked?

Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked event in London on July 22 will showcase the Galaxy Z Fold 8, according to Bloomberg. The device adopts a shorter, wider design that reportedly resembles Apple's planned folding iPhone. Pricing starts at $1,999 for the 256GB model.

The timing is deliberate. Samsung wants to establish market position before Apple's September announcement dominates the conversation. Samsung's existing Fold lineup already handles multitasking well and supports Samsung DeX, which connects the phone to a monitor, keyboard, and mouse for desktop-style work. The Z Fold 8 will build on that productivity angle.

Google's Pixel Fold successor arrives in August

Google hosts its Made by Google event in New York on August 12. Expect a Pixel family refresh that includes a successor to the Pixel Fold. Leaks point to more RAM to support on-device AI, a minimum of 256GB storage, and pricing at $1,999 or possibly higher.

Google's pitch will center on AI integration. The company can bake its Gemini models directly into the hardware and software stack in ways third-party Android manufacturers cannot easily replicate. For IT departments evaluating enterprise mobility, that AI advantage could matter more than raw specs.

Apple's iPhone Ultra: a decade in development

Apple's foldable iPhone, likely called iPhone Ultra, has entered mass production according to Chinese supply chain sources cited by MacRumors. This contradicts analyst Ming-Chi Kuo's earlier warning that the device might ship late and face supply constraints. Apple has reportedly increased initial manufacturing orders to 10 million units.

The iPhone Ultra is expected to be a book-style foldable with a 7.8-inch inner display and 5.5-inch cover display. It will include Touch ID (not Face ID), Apple's custom C2 modem, and the A20 processor. iOS 27 will handle the transition between displays, changing layout and resolution automatically as users open or close the device.

Apple has spent roughly a decade developing this device. The company's reputation rides on whether it can deliver something that feels distinctly Apple rather than a Samsung clone with better marketing.

The hinge decides everything

At this price point, durability matters as much as features. Apple has paid particular attention to hinge design, aiming for a mechanism that is nearly invisible when closed and robust enough to survive YouTube drop tests. Tech influencers will stress-test these devices aggressively, and hinge failures make for viral content.

Samsung has iterated on foldable hinges for five generations now. Google has one generation of experience. Apple is starting fresh, which means either breakthrough engineering or first-generation problems. The hinge will determine whether any of these devices survive two years of daily use.

Can a $2,000 phone replace a laptop?

All three manufacturers are betting that foldables can serve as tablet replacements and, with the right accessories, laptop substitutes. Samsung DeX already supports this workflow. Apple's larger inner display and mouse/keyboard support through iPadOS conventions could make the iPhone Ultra viable for productivity tasks that current iPhones cannot handle.

For enterprise IT, the question is whether these devices justify their cost. A $2,000 foldable plus a $300 keyboard case approaches MacBook Air pricing. The value proposition depends on whether mobile workers genuinely need a tablet-sized screen in their pocket or whether this is a solution in search of a problem.

What to expect from display quality

All three devices will compete on display specs: resolution, color accuracy, brightness, and refresh rate. The 7.8-inch to 8-inch inner display size puts these devices in iPad mini territory, large enough for document editing and video calls but small enough to fit in a jacket pocket when folded.

Apple's advantage is its control over both hardware and software. The seamless transition between cover and inner displays, with instant layout changes, could make the iPhone Ultra feel more polished than Android alternatives that struggle with app scaling.

The real competition starts in September

Samsung and Google are launching early to capture attention before Apple sucks the oxygen out of the room. Both companies know that Apple's September event will dominate tech coverage regardless of what Samsung and Google announce in July and August.

The winner will not be the device with the best specs on paper. It will be the one that proves foldables are genuinely more useful than the phones we already own. At $2,000, novelty is not enough. These devices need to do things that justify a price premium over flagship phones that already cost $1,200.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does Apple's foldable iPhone launch?

Apple is expected to announce the iPhone Ultra at its September 2025 event. The device has entered mass production with initial orders reportedly at 10 million units.

How much will the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 cost?

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is expected to start at $1,999 for the 256GB model when it launches at Samsung Galaxy Unpacked on July 22, 2025.

Will foldable phones work as laptop replacements?

Samsung's existing foldables support DeX mode for connecting to monitors and keyboards. Apple's iPhone Ultra is expected to support external input devices, but whether these devices match laptop productivity remains unproven.

What size is the Apple iPhone Ultra screen?

The iPhone Ultra is expected to have a 7.8-inch inner display when unfolded and a 5.5-inch cover display when closed, making it comparable to an iPad mini in unfolded form.

Source: The $2,000 club: Apple, Samsung, Google bet on foldables – Computerworld