Galaxy Z Series and New Watches redefine foldable and wearable experiences, helping people explore, discover, and express their individuality 

SYDNEY, Aug. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. has announced that Galaxy Z Fold8, Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Galaxy Z Flip8, Galaxy Watch9, and Galaxy Watch Ultra2 are now available in Australia.

The local availability is live as Samsung Electronics Australia sets a new record – its most successful foldable pre-order to-date, with solid double-digit growth year on year. Attracting its highest number of new to Samsung switchers, with Galaxy Z Fold8 leading the mix. The latest Galaxy Z series have also seen an increase in younger Australians, influenced by the portability and pocketability of the foldable form factor. By colour, Graphite and Lavender were the most popular among Australians who opted for the Galaxy Z Fold8, while Violet Shadow and Graphite were preferred for the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra. Pink and Graphite were the top colour picks for the Galaxy Z Flip8.

Eric Chou, Vice President of Mobile eXperience at Samsung Electronics Australia, said, “We are committed to delivering Australians a mobile experience that goes beyond the hardware – spanning security, service, software and Galaxy AI – reflected in our latest, most complete Galaxy foldable and wearable line-up yet. Our all-new Galaxy devices are anchored by AI that aims to make everyday life more convenient and meaningful, while paired with our strong privacy assurance via our Knox-defence grade security solution. Most importantly, Galaxy Z Fold8, Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Galaxy Z Flip8, Galaxy Watch9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra2 each offer distinct experiences, designed for different Australian lifestyles, proudly reinforcing we invest in a holistic mobile experience that goes beyond the core use of a smartphone or smartwatch.”

Samsung Expands its Foldable Leadership with Galaxy Z Fold8, Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, and Galaxy Z Flip8

With eight generations of foldable innovation behind it, Samsung’s latest Galaxy Z Series offers devices designed for immersive entertainment, powerful productivity, and on-the-go creativity.

The all-new Galaxy Z Fold8 introduces a first-of-its-kind passport-inspired form factor that transforms how users consume content, seamlessly shifting between quick interactions and immersive viewing, reading and gaming. Lightweight and ready for everyday use, it combines Galaxy AI, powerful performance and an advanced dual 50MP camera system[1] in Samsung’s lightest Galaxy Z Fold device yet.[2]

For those seeking the ultimate foldable experience, Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra delivers Samsung’s most advanced foldable yet. Featuring an expansive 8-inch display,[3] Ultra-grade camera capabilities, all-day battery life[4] and flagship performance, it is designed for Australians who want to create, multitask, and stay productive from anywhere.

Meanwhile, Galaxy Z Flip8 is Samsung’s slimmest and lightest flip phone ever,[5],[6] weighing just 180g[7], and it brings together style, convenience and self-expression in a compact design. With a reimagined AI-powered FlexWindow, enhanced camera capabilities, and Samsung’s signature Flex Mode[8] experience, Galaxy Z Flip8 makes it easier to capture and stay connected on the go.

Across the new Galaxy Z Series, Samsung continues to enhance content creation with Galaxy AI-powered tools and camera features, including My FanCam[9] making it easier to capture, edit, and share content. The lineup also benefits from Samsung’s new Flex Titanium technology, delivering slimmer, stronger, and a more refined foldable.[10]

“For almost a decade, we have proudly pioneered the foldable category, and are thrilled with Australians’ overwhelmingly positive response to our latest Galaxy Z series, especially our Galaxy Fold8,” said Nathan Rigger, Head of Product, Mobile eXperience at Samsung Australia. “Our record foldable pre-order performance solidifies our continued confidence in the category, and drive to meet Australians evolving needs. With Galaxy Z Fold8, Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra and Galaxy Z Flip8 we strive to transform the way Australians consume media, connect and express themselves, by setting new standards in performance and functionality.”

Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and Galaxy Watch9 Deliver Intelligent Health and Wellness Experiences

Samsung’s latest Galaxy Watch lineup offers Australians two distinct smartwatch options, designed to support everything from everyday wellbeing to high-performance training. Across both devices, Samsung’s latest AI-powered health features help users proactively manage key areas such as activity, recovery, cardiovascular health, and sleep.

Built for adventurers and high-performance athletes, Galaxy Watch Ultra2 is Samsung’s most advanced smartwatch yet. Designed to perform in demanding environments, it combines specialised sports tracking, health and wellness monitoring, and Samsung’s brightest watch display ever with up to 5,000 nits of peak brightness.[11] With a larger battery, enhanced durability, and powerful performance, Galaxy Watch Ultra2 is engineered to help users push further whether they’re training, exploring or tackling everyday challenges.

For those seeking an everyday wellness companion, Galaxy Watch9 delivers powerful insights in a lightweight and comfortable design. Featuring lasting battery, a bright display, and AI-powered health insights through Samsung Health[12] and Galaxy AI, Galaxy Watch9 helps users build better habits through effortless all-day tracking, and actionable insights.

“Health and wellness look different for everyone, which is why we’ve designed our latest Galaxy Watch line-up to support a broad range of Australian lifestyles, goals, and routines,” said Kylie Mason, Head of Wearables, Mobile eXperience, Samsung Electronics Australia. “Whether it’s pushing your limits outdoors with Galaxy Watch Ultra2 or building better everyday habits with Galaxy Watch9, these devices combine advanced health insights, AI-powered coaching, and all-day comfort to help Australians build better habits and stay on track.”

Australian Launch Events, Activations and Campaigns

To celebrate the Samsung collaboration with Sony Pictures’ “Spider-Man: Brand New Day”, Spider-Man recently paid a visit to two friendly neighbourhood Samsung Experience Stores in NSW and VIC.

At the Samsung Experience Store Chadstone on Saturday, 8 August, and the Samsung Experience Store Parramatta on Sunday, 9 August, fans had the opportunity to meet Spider-Man and capture the moment on the latest Galaxy Z Series devices.

Galaxy Experts were on hand to showcase why Samsung foldables are breakout stars, bringing the innovation and excitement of the Galaxy Z Series to life for customers.

See how Samsung flips into action for Sony Pictures’ “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” with a cinematic spot starring Jacob Batalon.

Samsung’s launch of the new Galaxy Z Series, Galaxy Watch9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra2 is supported by a national integrated marketing campaign expected to reach 96.7% of Australia’s Gen MZ audience.

The launch will feature landmark outdoor advertising across Melbourne and Sydney, including premium digital placements at Melbourne’s Emporium and Sydney’s Broadway & George precincts, complemented by more than 3,300 out-of-home panels nationwide spanning retail, transit and street furniture.

Samsung will also bring the Galaxy experience to consumers through a major retail presence at Melbourne’s Highpoint Shopping Centre, alongside content partnerships with leading creators and publishers across Twitch, ARN’s Footy & Friends and Mamamia’s The Spill, integrating Galaxy devices into entertainment, lifestyle and sporting conversations across Australia.

Availability

From August 14, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8, Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Galaxy Z Flip8, Galaxy Watch9, Galaxy Watch Ultra2 are available to order in Australia, with pricing and colour options listed below:

Pricing

Launch Offers: T&CS apply, offer dates vary by channel

Additionally, New Galaxy Club in Australia – an upgrade and protection program – offers up to 50% of an eligible device’s recommended retail price back when customers move to an eligible next-generation Galaxy phone between 9 to 13 months after signing up. The program also includes Samsung Care+ for repairs and support, and it’s available with the Galaxy Z Series via Samsung.com/au on a monthly or one-year upfront plan.[13]

For more information about the Galaxy Z Series, Galaxy Watch Ultra2, and Galaxy Watch9, please visit: Samsung Australia Newsroom, and Samsung.com/au.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, home appliances, network systems, and memory, system LSI, foundry and LED solutions, and delivering a seamless connected experience through its SmartThings ecosystem and open collaboration with partners. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at news.samsung.com/au.

About Sony Pictures’ Spider-Man: Brand New Day

It’s a BRAND NEW DAY for Peter Parker. Fighting crime full-time as Spider-Man in a world that doesn’t remember him and the pressure of seeing his old friends move on without him sparks a change in Peter he may not have the power to control. But that transformation might also be the only thing that can stop a shocking new threat to the city and those he loves – a powerful villain no one can even see.

The world may have forgotten Peter Parker, but he hasn’t forgotten them.

Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, the film is written by Chris McKenna & Erik Sommers. Based on the MARVEL Comic Book by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, serving as producers are Kevin Feige, p.g.a., Amy Pascal, p.g.a., Avi Arad, and Rachel O’Connor, p.g.a. Executive producers are Louis D’Esposito and David Cain. The film stars Tom Holland, Zendaya, Sadie Sink, Jacob Batalon, Jon Bernthal, Tramell Tillman, Michael Mando and Mark Ruffalo. Credits not final.

See Spider-Man: Brand New Day, in cinemas now.

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SOURCE Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A breakthrough biomimetic filtration media captures up to 98% of microscopic plastic particles down to the nanoscale, offering municipalities and industries an affordable, gravity-driven strategy to secure public health and meet impending environmental regulations before global water supplies are permanently impacted.

An invisible crisis is unfolding within our global water infrastructure, where billions of sub-millimeter plastic fragments evade traditional filtration and quietly Infiltrate aquatic ecosystems and drinking water sources. As these pervasive contaminants accumulate in municipal and industrial streams, public concern is mounting over the long-term ecological and biological consequences. A looming shift in environmental policy is forcing water management operators to rethink their infrastructure before strict regulatory frameworks are mandated nationwide.

The innovators at PolyGone Systems are answering this challenge by designing entirely new treatment systems that target scalable, low-energy intervention at critical water treatment points. Rejecting traditional size-restrictive filtration methods that require immense energy, the organization advocates for a material-affinity approach leveraging materials that naturally attract and isolate microscopic particles present in water. Their methodology emphasizes data transparency and systemic risk management and aims to demonstrate that real-world water streams can be successfully remediated effectively without disrupting existing treatment processes. By deploying practical technologies that integrate seamlessly into existing municipal and industrial infrastructure, they are proving that microplastic pollution can be managed effectively without disrupting vital public utilities.

“The greatest opportunity in water treatment isn’t simply filtering smaller particles; it’s rethinking how we remove them altogether. By designing technologies that work with natural material interactions instead of against them, we can protect public health by making microplastic water treatment practical at a global scale.” – Nathaniel Banks, CEO, PolyGone Systems

The challenge of modern water purification lies in the staggering diversity of contaminants that enter municipal streams daily, creating a complex monitoring and compliance dilemma for engineers. Conventional infrastructure typically relies on rigid mechanical barriers that are prone to clogging, creating an operational environment where tracking and eliminating microscopic contaminants become nearly impossible. Furthermore, emerging research highlights a correlation between rising public health trends and the accumulation of plastic-derived chemical additives within the food chain. This lack of standardized baseline data complicates municipal compliance, leaving public utility operators searching for transparent tracking mechanisms that can validate purification efficacy in real time.

About “All Access hosted by Andy Garcia”: “All Access hosted by Andy Garcia” is an educational Public Television program dedicated to exploring the most critical issues shaping our modern world. Through deep-dive documentary segments, the show highlights groundbreaking innovations across technology, environmental science, and public policy, providing viewers with an informed perspective on societal progress. For more information, please visit allaccessptv.com.

About PolyGone Systems: PolyGone Systems is a pioneer in environmental cleantech, specializing in scalable solutions for the microplastics pollution crisis. Founded out of Princeton University, the company utilizes biomimetic principles to design and deploy low-energy filtration media that effectively captures microplastics down to the nanoscale across municipal and industrial water infrastructure. Discover more about their technology and ongoing pilots at www.polygonesystems.com.

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SOURCE All Access

 Introducing a New Model for Co-Creation with Researchers

TOKYO, Aug. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Kirin Holdings Company, Limited (Kirin Holdings) and FDE consulting firm GenerativeX Inc. (GenerativeX) have developed a new research style that incorporates AI agents directly into research activities, with the aim of enhancing researchers’ creativity. The initiative was launched in 2026 in select research divisions at Kirin.

Through this initiative, Kirin and GenerativeX aim to realize an “AI-native research environment” that supports the entire research process, from hypothesis generation to knowledge sharing, while staying closely aligned with researchers’ thinking processes.

1.  Background 
In recent years, advances in generative AI have expanded the use of AI into areas that have traditionally depended on researchers’ advanced thinking, such as literature searches and hypothesis generation. At the same time, AI implementation in companies has often remained limited to improving operational efficiency, such as document creation and search.

In research and development settings, researchers also face the issue of “fragmented thinking,” in which their thought processes are repeatedly interrupted by information searches, searches for past materials, organizing hypotheses, and sharing information. This has made it difficult for researchers to focus on the creative activities that should be their primary focus.

2.  Overview
In this initiative, Kirin and GenerativeX have built and begun operating a research environment that combines Kirin’s vision for research with GenerativeX’s AI development capabilities by incorporating AI agents into the flow of research activities.

Kirin is responsible for designing the research concept and applying it in research settings, while GenerativeX provides AI technologies and implements the system. The system is currently being used in select research laboratories, with future expansion across the Group also under consideration.

     Key Features of This Research Style

Design that incorporates AI into the research flow
AI is constantly present within the flow of research activities, rather than being called upon by researchers only when needed.Real-time support that keeps thinking uninterrupted
The system provides integrated support for hypothesis generation, information searches, brainstorming, documentation, and knowledge sharing.A researcher-centered design philosophy
AI functions not as a replacement for researchers, but as a collaborative partner that helps bring out their creativity.From individual knowledge to co-created organizational knowledge
Hypotheses, discussions, and exploration histories are accumulated and made available for use across the organization.

Development Process
The system has been developed in an agile manner while incorporating feedback from researchers. It has been designed by aligning the functions that researchers actually want to use with the possibilities offered by AI technologies. Researchers involved in the development process have recognized the system as a tool suited to their own research activities.

Another key feature of this initiative is that AI is being used not merely as a tool for improving operational efficiency, but as a means of supporting the intellectual and creative activity of research itself. The initiative is expected to expand the potential for exploring new hypotheses, promote cross-disciplinary integration, and improve the quality of research.

3.  Future Developments
Going forward, Kirin and GenerativeX will further enhance the system’s functions to better understand each researcher’s expertise and research themes, detect signs of emerging issues, propose hypotheses, and promote collaboration among researchers.

In the future, the companies aim to create an environment in which AI naturally exists as an integral part of research, becoming a natural and seamless part of the research environment without researchers having to consciously think about using it.

4.  About GenerativeX Inc.
GenerativeX Inc. is a Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE) consulting firm established in 2023. The company specializes in supporting business transformation for enterprises through the use of AI agents, providing services to major clients in Japan and overseas across industries such as finance, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing. Headquartered in Marunouchi, Tokyo, GenerativeX also has offices in San Francisco and New York, and is expanding its business globally. 

The Kirin Group will steadily advance the two pillars of digital utilization set out in “KIRIN Digital Vision 2035″*: “eliminating work that people do not need to do” through productivity improvements, and “accelerating work that creates value together with people” through value creation. Through manufacturing that looks to nature and people, the Kirin Group will bring new joy in “food and health” to more people and contribute to the realization of a fulfilling society.

* KIRIN Digital Vision 2035  Digital Transformation | Innovation | KIRIN – Kirin Holdings Company, Limited

Press Contacts

Kirin Holdings Company, Limited www.kirinholdings.com/en/
Corporate Communication Department
Nakano Central Park South, 4-10-2 Nakano, Nakano-ku, Tokyo
Media Contact form https://faq.kirin.co.jp/form/kh_10_en.html
TEL: +81-3-6837-7028GenerativeX Inc. https://gen-x.co.jp/
27F Marunouchi Building, 2-4-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
TEL: +81-50-1807-2433

About Kirin Holdings
Kirin Holdings Company, Limited is a global company operating across three core business domains spanning Alcoholic Beverages, Non-alcoholic Beverages & Health Science, and Pharmaceuticals. The company traces its roots to Japan Brewery, established in 1885, which later became Kirin Brewery in 1907. Since then, Kirin has expanded its business operations by leveraging fermentation and biotechnology as core strengths. The company entered the pharmaceutical field in the 1980s, which has since grown into a global business. In 2007, the company transitioned to a pure holding company structure as Kirin Holdings, and it is now strengthening its Non-alcoholic Beverages & Health Science domain. 

Under its long-term vision “Innovate2035!“, the Kirin Group is focused on creating value that encourages behavioral change among consumers and patients, creating new lifestyle habits in the areas of food and health. With a unique business portfolio spanning Alcoholic Beverages, Non-alcoholic Beverages & Health Science, and Pharmaceuticals, the Group will further expand group-wide initiatives that support both mental and physical well-being. 

The Kirin Group will continue to advance innovation through the combined strength of its people and technology, creating both social and economic value as a global leader in CSV*, while pursuing sustainable, long-term growth in corporate value.  

*Creating Shared Value: combined added value for consumers as well as for society at large.

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SOURCE GenerativeX