Samsung Targets iPhone Fold With Free Galaxy Z Fold 8 Feature Upgrade

InnovationConsumer TechSamsung Targets iPhone Fold With Free Galaxy Z Fold 8 Feature UpgradeByJanhoi McGregor,Senior Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Janhoi McGregor (jan-eye) is a reporter who covers technology news.Follow AuthorMay 16, 2026, 03:35pm EDTMay 16, 2026, 03:36pm EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.Google and Samsung are facing a major test to their foldable phone supremacy this year with the upcoming iPhone Fold. The Apple device's very existence has forced rivals into getting ahead of it with their own wider designs. For Samsung and Google, they're betting a major free Android update will be the difference between the devices.Read on for more and don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter for instant deal updates and the latest iPhone Fold and Galaxy Z Fold 8 news.The iPhone Fold’s New Problem: Gemini Intelligence On The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 The Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold will likely have the same aspect ratio as the Apple iPhone Fold and Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide. (Photo by Joan Cros/NurPhoto via Getty Images)NurPhoto via Getty ImagesAndroid 17 lands this summer on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide and the Google Pixel 11 range. With it comes several new heavyweight AI tools and features, which all fall under the freshly crowned Gemini Intelligence brand, which has new agentic capabilities. In essence that means the AI can complete tasks on your behalf with minimal input. That is seemingly baked deeply into the Android 17 experience and, looking at what was announced, I can see how the new foldable phones will feel the benefit of the new skills. Check out the demo below. MORE FOR YOUThe headline feature is multi-step automation. It can find your class syllabus in Gmail and add the required books to your shopping cart, book your gym session, or build a groceries delivery order from your notes app....