Four days before the official announcement at Galaxy Unpacked in London, BTS member Chon Hoseok, known as J-Hope, inadvertently — or quite deliberately — did something Samsung hadn't done itself yet: demonstrated the Galaxy Z Fold 8 in action to a wide audience.
What Happened in Paris
During a soundcheck for BTS's world tour in Paris, J-Hope posted a short video on Instagram Story showing an unfolded smartphone. The post was quickly deleted, but fans managed to capture the frames — they spread across social media before Samsung could even respond.
«BTS' J-Hope briefly shared an Instagram Story showcasing the unreleased Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 during a soundcheck in Paris. Although the post was quickly deleted, fan recordings confirmed the device's wider cover display and a new Pistachio green colorway.»
Android Headlines
The color in the video — lavender or pistachio — immediately confirmed two color options that had previously circulated only as renders. According to 9to5Google, the device is identical to official marketing materials leaked the same week by renowned insider Evan Blass.
What We Know About the Device
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is not an evolution, but a rethinking of the form factor. The main change: the body proportions have shifted from a narrow "remote" format to a wider format with an internal screen in a 4:3 aspect ratio — like a tablet. The external display has grown to 5.5 inches, making the device fully functional in its folded state.
- Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy — a special version for Samsung
- Camera: dual system 50 MP (main) + 50 MP (ultra-wide), no telephoto
- Battery: 4,800 mAh, 45W wired charging / 25W wireless charging
- Starting price: from $1,899, according to BigGo Finance — up to $1,999
The removal of the telephoto lens is a deliberate decision: the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra will receive a 200 MP main camera and 10 MP telephoto, meaning Samsung is dividing the two models by segments rather than simply adding "Ultra" to the name.
BTS as a Marketing Tool — and Its Limits
Samsung has partnered with BTS before. But this time, the mechanism worked differently: not an official commercial, but a "accidental" leak through a band member's personal account with an audience of tens of millions. Whether the post was authorized — Samsung has not commented.
Meanwhile, Evan Blass leaked a full package of official marketing materials for three devices at once — Galaxy Z Fold 8, Fold 8 Ultra, and Flip 8 — with specifications and disclaimers. As Tom's Guide notes, Blass is known for publishing such material right before major announcements, and his accuracy is mostly confirmed.
Context: The First Real Competitor
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide is coming at a time when Samsung, for the first time in eight years of dominance in the book-style foldable smartphone market, faces a real rival — the expected iPhone Ultra Fold from Apple. According to PhoneArena, both devices are targeting the same audience and roughly the same price range. That's why the format of a "wider" Fold is a response to Apple's expected proportions, not just a redesign for redesign's sake.
If Apple indeed presents a foldable iPhone by the end of 2026, it will become clear whether Samsung's eight-year experience is an advantage or merely inertia: the first wide-format Fold will compete not with itself, but with a device from a company accustomed to rewriting market rules from the first version.
