Samsung’s next generation of foldable smartphones is shaping up to be a turning point for mobile artificial intelligence. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Flip 8, according to a report from Seoul Economic Daily, will ship with One UI 9 and Google’s new Gemini Intelligence. This combination is expected to give the devices a deeper assistant layer than what current Galaxy AI features offer—one that can move through related apps and complete linked tasks without constant user intervention.
Gemini Intelligence is being positioned as software that understands context across applications. Rather than stopping after a single reply, the assistant can follow a chain of actions. A user could write a shopping list in a notes app, ask Gemini to move those items into a delivery app cart, then review the cart and pay—all within a single session. This is the kind of practical automation that Samsung has been hinting at since the launch of Galaxy AI, and it represents a significant step forward from the isolated AI features we’ve seen so far.
The evolution of Galaxy AI
Samsung first introduced Galaxy AI with the Galaxy S24 series in early 2024. Features like Live Translate, Chat Assist, and Circle to Search with Google gave users a taste of what on-device AI could do. But those were essentially single-purpose tools: translate a call, rewrite a message, or search an image. The next logical step was to tie those capabilities together into a coherent assistant that can navigate the entire phone ecosystem.
With One UI 8.5 on the Galaxy S26 series, Samsung already introduced some app-launching behavior—the phone could open an app based on a voice command. However, that was limited to triggering one app at a time. One UI 9, paired with Gemini Intelligence, is expected to handle requests that span multiple apps in the same command. This shift from isolated actions to workflow automation is exactly what users have been asking for since the first digital assistants appeared a decade ago.
The foldable form factor is the perfect testing ground for this kind of AI. A larger screen on the Galaxy Z Fold 8 means more space to display multi-app interactions. Users could, for example, ask Gemini to “find the cheapest flights to Tokyo next month, put the results in a spreadsheet, and send it to my partner via text.” The assistant would then move across the browser, notes app, and messaging app—all while the user watches the process unfold. Samsung’s challenge is to make the experience feel seamless, not clunky.
Why foldables get it first
It’s no coincidence that Samsung is reportedly putting Gemini Intelligence on the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Flip 8 before any other device. Premium foldables have to justify their price every year, and software is one of the few places Samsung can change the daily experience in a meaningful way. Hardware improvements—thinner bezels, better hinges, brighter screens—are incremental at this point. But a genuinely useful AI assistant that learns how you work and helps you get things done faster is a differentiator that can’t be copied easily.
The Galaxy Z Fold series starts at around $1,800, while the Z Flip line is slightly more accessible at around $1,000. For that kind of investment, buyers expect more than just a folding screen. They want a device that adapts to their lifestyle, and Gemini Intelligence promises exactly that. Samsung’s marketing has already leaned heavily into productivity for the Fold line and creativity for the Flip line. AI that can automate routine tasks fits both narratives.
There’s also a strategic angle. Samsung and Google have been deepening their partnership, with Android updates and Google services often being tested first on Samsung devices. By giving Gemini Intelligence an exclusive debut on the Z Fold 8 and Z Flip 8, Samsung ensures that its foldables remain the most capable Android phones on the market—at least for a few months. This timing also helps Google, as it gets real-world validation for its Gemini platform on high-profile hardware.
How much can Gemini actually do
The clearest example of Gemini Intelligence in action is a grocery run. A user could write a shopping list in a notes app, ask Gemini Intelligence to move those items into a delivery app cart, then review the cart and pay. That’s the appeal Samsung has to prove. Fewer taps matter more than another polished chatbot window. But the real test will be app compatibility, speed, and how much cleanup the assistant leaves behind.
Automating multi-app tasks is notoriously difficult because every app has its own interface, data structure, and permissions. Google’s Gemini is built on top of its large language model, which understands natural language and can parse app UIs using accessibility services. But it’s not foolproof. If the delivery app changes its layout or requires a login every time, the chain breaks. Samsung will need to ensure that the most common scenarios—shopping, travel planning, message drafting—work reliably out of the box.
Another area where Gemini Intelligence could shine is in creative workflows. A photographer using the Galaxy Z Fold 8 could ask the assistant to import raws from the gallery, apply a preset in an editing app, export them as JPEGs, and upload them to a cloud service—all without manually opening each app. For professionals who work on the go, that kind of automation could save hours each week. Samsung’s DeX mode, which turns the phone into a desktop-like experience, could also benefit from Gemini’s cross-app abilities.
There’s still a catch. Gemini Intelligence isn’t in the One UI 9 beta that started for Galaxy S26 users in South Korea and other major markets. It’s expected to arrive in the final release instead, so the real test will be app compatibility, speed, and how much cleanup it leaves behind. Early adopters may encounter bugs, and Samsung will have to issue updates quickly to address them. The company’s track record with software updates has improved in recent years, but AI features are notoriously resource-intensive and can cause battery drain or lag if not optimized.
When will Samsung show it off
Samsung is expected to unveil the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Flip 8 in July, giving it an obvious stage for Gemini Intelligence. One UI 9 beta testing has already started for Galaxy S26 users in major markets, including South Korea, but the biggest assistant feature is still being held back for the official release. That suggests Samsung wants to control the narrative tightly, showing the feature in a polished form rather than letting beta testers find flaws first.
The July launch timeline aligns with Samsung’s traditional Unpacked event schedule. Last year, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 were announced in July, with a late August release. This year, the pattern is likely to repeat. The event will also likely showcase the Galaxy Watch 8 and Galaxy Ring 2, but the foldables will be the stars. Samsung needs a strong showing to fend off competition from the likes of OnePlus, which now offers a foldable of its own, and Chinese brands like Honor and Xiaomi, which are pushing the envelope with thinner designs and better cameras.
For buyers, the smart move is to wait for live demos before treating this as a reason to upgrade. Pricing and regional availability are still missing, and Samsung’s next foldables will have to prove the automation saves time without leaving users to fix the result. Early hands-on reports from July’s Unpacked event will be crucial to determine whether Gemini Intelligence is a game-changer or just another gimmick. If it works as advertised, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Flip 8 could redefine what users expect from a smartphone assistant—and give Samsung a powerful narrative to sell its most expensive devices.
In the meantime, Samsung is also expected to refine Galaxy AI features already available on existing devices. The company has been testing a feature called “AI Brief” that summarizes missed notifications and daily highlights. That feature could roll out to older foldables via a software update, but Gemini Intelligence is likely to remain exclusive to the new hardware due to its reliance on the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon or Exynos chips with dedicated AI processing units. This kind of hardware-software integration is exactly what premium smartphones need to justify their ever-increasing prices.
Source: Digital Trends News