Galaxy Fold8, Flip8 First to Feature 'Agentic AI' — From a Single Command to Booking

Samsung Electronics has applied phone AI that moves beyond 'conversation' to 'execution' for the first time on the Galaxy Z Fold8 and Flip8. The standout feature of this application is the full-scale deployment of 'agentic AI,' which goes beyond generative AI simply answering questions to linking multiple apps and continuously performing tasks on behalf of the user.

The new products were unveiled at the Galaxy Unpacked event held in London, UK, on July 22. In a press release, Samsung Electronics introduced the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Fold8, and Flip8 as its most refined lineup to date, explaining that they are divided into three distinct experiences: productivity, immersive exploration, and self-expression. The Galaxy Z Fold8 adopts a 10:16 cover screen and a 4:3 main screen aspect ratio, while the Fold8 Ultra gains a new 50-megapixel ultra-wide camera alongside a 200-megapixel main camera with added HDR support. The Flip8 features a FlexWindow powered by Gemini Intelligence. Both Fold models incorporate new 'Flex Titanium' technology, which enhances screen durability and reduces the visibility of the crease.

According to the feature descriptions, when a request is sent to the Galaxy Z Fold8, the AI narrows down candidates matching the user's schedule and preferences, then sequentially connects the apps needed for reservations and calendar registration. For instance, it searches for available restaurants and time slots, then proceeds right up to the payment step, at which point the user reviews the details and completes the process with final approval. The article summarized this flow as "linking over 40 apps with a single command."

Until now, AI has largely played the role of a 'conversational search assistant,' answering questions and organizing information. However, the interpretation is that it is now evolving to a stage where it connects apps and performs sequential tasks on the user's behalf. In other words, the shift in phone AI's center of gravity from 'generation and organization' to 'task execution' has materialized in the form of concrete features.

This software change was introduced alongside the first application of 'Gemini Intelligence.' With Gemini Intelligence applied to the Galaxy Z Fold8 and Flip8, over 40 apps are linked, layered with expanded app-connection scenarios extending to reservations and calendar registration. The emphasis is on 'task automation' that starts with a single message and leads to real-life services (reservations, scheduling). Google also announced on its blog on the day of Unpacked that it was showcasing the first features of Gemini Intelligence, explaining that it automatically handles tasks across more than 40 popular apps. Additionally, 'Gemini Notebook,' the successor to NotebookLM, comes pre-installed on the new foldables, and all three models—Fold8 Ultra, Fold8, and Flip8—include a six-month subscription to 'Google AI Pro.'

However, the conditions Google attached in a footnote to the same post are narrower than the impression given by the '40 apps' figure. Google specified that supported apps are based on those available in the U.S. and South Korea, are limited to selected apps, devices, and markets, and are only available to users aged 18 and over. It also included a usage advisory to "keep a close eye and stop it if necessary." This is an acknowledgment by the developer itself that execution-oriented AI is still in its early stages.

At the same time, observations have been raised that Apple is also preparing to counter with its next-generation 'Siri AI.' This reflects a strategic intent by both Samsung and Apple to differentiate AI not merely as an interface but through the integration of devices and services. The article specifically noted that "differentiation through device-service integration is key."

Apple's plans are already official. At its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC26) on June 8, Apple unveiled a completely new Siri, 'Siri AI,' describing it as more intelligent, knowledgeable, and capable. Craig Federighi, Apple's senior vice president of Software Engineering, stated, "We are delivering next-generation Apple Intelligence across our platforms and introducing a fundamentally more intelligent Siri AI." According to Apple, Siri AI handles tasks across multiple apps through system-wide App Actions—such as drafting an email from scratch or editing and sharing a photo—and answers questions about on-screen content using on-screen awareness.

However, Samsung is ahead in terms of launch timing and regional availability. Apple announced that Siri AI will be released as a beta within this year for users with supported devices set to English, with language expansion to follow. In the European Union (EU), it will only be available on Mac and Vision Pro, and not initially on iOS, iPadOS, or watchOS. In China, it will not be available until regulatory requirements are sorted out. While Samsung has launched execution-oriented AI as a default feature on its new products, Apple is starting with a beta and regional restrictions.

Category	Samsung Electronics	Apple
AI Name	Gemini Intelligence	Siri AI
Unveiling Date	July 22, 2026, Galaxy Unpacked in London	June 8, 2026, WWDC26
Target Devices	Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Fold8, Flip8	iOS 27 and other second-half software
App Execution Scope	Automatic execution across 40+ popular apps	Cross-app tasks via system-wide App Actions
Availability	Pre-installed on new products	Beta within the year, English first
Regional Conditions	Supported apps based on U.S. & South Korea, limited selected markets	EU: Mac & Vision Pro only; China: Not available

Meanwhile, across the phone industry, a situation persists where AI proliferation coincides with semiconductor supply bottlenecks impacting prices and demand. According to foreign media reports, observations have emerged that soaring phone prices due to AI-driven chip shortages could refocus attention on already expensive foldable phones. In relation to the new product launch event held in London, TM Roh, President and CEO of Samsung Electronics, was quoted as saying that "phones, especially foldables, are people's first and best platform for AI." Within the industry, a view coexists that the more execution-oriented phone AI is emphasized, the more the foldable form factor—advantageous for multitasking and productivity—can become a differentiating factor.

The scale of price pressure is also confirmed by figures from market research firms. In a May report, IDC forecast that global smartphone shipments in 2026 would fall 13.9% year-on-year to 1.09 billion units, marking the steepest annual decline on record. Conversely, the average selling price (ASP) is projected to rise by $100 from the previous year to $550, an all-time high, with total market revenue expected to grow 3.8% despite shipments hitting a record low. Nabila Popal, senior research director at IDC, said, "The deepening memory shortage crisis is the dominant factor behind this year's 14% decline, but it is no longer the only factor," adding, "For consumers, this means the era of ultra-low-cost smartphones is over."

Foldables are an exception to this downturn. IDC sees the foldable market growing 20% year-on-year in 2026, defining foldables as the only segment where manufacturers can maintain premium pricing while simultaneously increasing unit volumes. Counterpoint Research also forecasts foldable shipments to grow 21% in the same year. By manufacturer, Samsung Electronics is expected to maintain its lead with a 32% share, followed by Apple—preparing its first foldable for the second half—at 25%, Huawei at 24%, Motorola at 8%, and Honor at 3%.

The top five account for 92% combined, with the remaining 8% attributed to other players. Source: Counterpoint Research foldable smartphone market forecast.

Memory procurement capability is also identified as a decisive variable. IDC noted that even as the entire Android camp contracts by 21%, Samsung Electronics is expected to increase its market share, having secured memory supply in advance and launched offensives in both the premium and mid-to-high-end segments simultaneously. Apple's projected decline has also improved from 8.1% to 5.2%, with its iOS share expected to reach an all-time high of 22%. Conversely, the diagnosis is that manufacturers focused on the mid-to-low-end market will bear the full brunt of rising costs, facing pressure to downsize or exit the business. This implies that the competition in execution-oriented AI may ultimately narrow to top-tier players with component procurement power.

However, the actual scope of tasks provided by this 'agentic AI' was described as including safeguards, such as a structure where the user gives final approval (review and approval after the pre-payment step). In other words, it is confirmed that the system is designed to enhance automation convenience while retaining a user verification step rather than 'full delegation.'

The following summarizes the key points presented in the article.

Item	Details
Applied Models	Galaxy Z Fold8, Flip8
AI Name	Gemini Intelligence
Core Change	Expansion from conversational to 'Agentic AI' (execution-oriented)
App Integration Scale	Linking over 40 apps
Representative Scenario	Narrowing reservation candidates → Connecting to booking app → Pre-payment step → User review and final approval
Usage Conditions	Limited to selected apps, devices, and markets; ages 18+

The emergence of this execution-oriented phone AI suggests that the center of the 'AI feature competition' in the smartphone industry is shifting from simple response quality to how quickly and seamlessly it can change actual user behavior. As features that handle repetitive tasks like reservations and calendar registration through app integration become standardized, control over the phone OS and service ecosystem (default apps, partner apps) is likely to become a competitive variable. Simultaneously, interpretations suggest that the multitasking and productivity image of foldable phones, combined with execution-oriented AI, could influence product positioning.

Furthermore, in an environment where price burdens due to semiconductor supply constraints are mentioned, there is room for marketing that emphasizes the 'tangible value gained from AI' over simple spec competition to be strengthened. This is because, even in an environment of rising phone prices, the greater the practical benefit users feel (e.g., time saved from reservation to scheduling), the stronger the logic for defending demand becomes. Indeed, the fact that foldables alone are projected to grow by over 20% while the overall market shrinks by double digits shows that creating reasons to pay a premium is the key battleground in this phase.

With Apple also poised to continue device-service integrated competition with its next-generation Siri AI, market attention is expected to focus on the extent to which both companies can link their execution-oriented AI to apps and services to prove its 'completeness.' Moreover, if Apple launches its first foldable in the second half of the year, a competitive landscape will emerge where form factor and execution-oriented AI clash simultaneously.