BTS's J-Hope spotted with Samsung's wide-format Galaxy Z Fold 8 ahead of July launch
Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 has shown up in public before its official reveal — in the hands of BTS member J-Hope during his Arirang world tour. The sighting, captured on video, confirms the phone's new near-square folded profile and marks a deliberate pre-announcement leak timed six weeks before Apple is expected to show its own foldable iPhone.
The look
The clip gives a clear view of the Fold 8 closed: it's noticeably more compact and square than previous Z Fold models. That shape is the result of a new 4:3 aspect ratio when unfolded — a wider, tablet-like format rather than the tall book-style layout Samsung has used since the original Fold. J-Hope's unit is in Lavender, one of four confirmed colors alongside Graphite, Cream, and a Pistachio exclusive to Samsung.com, per 9to5Google's official renders.
? j-hope was spotted using the unreleased Galaxy Z Fold8 Wide during the BTS WORLD TOUR ARIRANG in Paris ?
— S M A Sithick (@smasithick) July 17, 2026
Galaxy Z Fold8 Wide era has officially begun. pic.twitter.com/CpjWxvSlad
The Z Fold 8 is the standard model in this year's lineup. Samsung is also launching a Z Fold 8 Ultra on the same date — that one keeps the traditional tall format for people who prefer it.
Two phones, one launch night
Samsung is holding its Galaxy Unpacked event on July 22 in London — the first time the company has staged the event in the UK rather than Seoul or New York. Devices are expected to ship August 5–7.
Pricing leaks from Notebookcheck put the Z Fold 8 at £1,699 (256 GB) and the Ultra at £1,899 (256 GB). One caveat: the jump to 512 GB storage will cost significantly more than last year — roughly £170 more — due to a global DRAM shortage pushing memory prices up 30–60%.
Before Apple arrives
The timing is clearly deliberate. Apple's foldable iPhone — widely expected to arrive in September 2026 at upwards of £2,000 — will be a first-generation product. Samsung's Z Fold 8 arrives two months earlier with eight generations of refinement behind it. The wide 4:3 format is a direct answer to the rumored iPhone foldable's proportions, putting Samsung in a position to own the wide-screen foldable conversation before Apple even announces its device.
For anyone already considering a foldable, pre-orders open July 22 alongside the event.
