That is why Samsung Galaxy is stepping forward as the Title Sponsor of the 2026 Content Creator Awards, taking place at Galleria Sandton on 17 October 2026. With this move, Samsung Galaxy is celebrating the creators who are shaping conversations, building communities, turning everyday moments into stories and, increasingly, turning content creation into a business.

While supporting all 20 award categories, Samsung Galaxy is directly involved in two awards: the Samsung Galaxy Creator of the Year Award and the #CapturedWithGalaxy Award, celebrating both the people driving South Africa’s creator economy and the extraordinary visual storytelling made possible through Galaxy technology.

“Creators today are so much more than people who make content. They are storytellers, entrepreneurs, trendsetters and cultural commentators, and they are constantly finding new ways to turn an idea into something that resonates with an audience,” says Rae Hargreaves, Head of Marketing: Mobile eXperience at Samsung South Africa. “Our partnership with the Content Creator Awards is about celebrating that creativity while demonstrating how Galaxy technology can help creators bring their ideas to life.”

When the trend hits, Galaxy is ready

For today’s creators, content opportunities are everywhere. A varsity student can turn an ordinary day into a relatable “day in the life”. A kasi entrepreneur can document the hustle behind their business. A fashion creator can turn an outfit into an OOTD, while a savvy shopper can build an entire series around finding the best dupe. The challenge is making the content happen quickly, naturally and creatively.

As the ultimate content creator companion, the latest Galaxy foldables (Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold8 and Galaxy Z Flip8) are designed around this reality, bringing features that can help creators move from idea to camera-ready content without making the creative process feel like work.

And of course, that creative process is supported by AI. Galaxy’s on-device AI editing tools can help creators refine content without needing to leave their phone or rely on a collection of third-party apps. Audio Eraser removes unwanted background sounds from videos, making dialogue and key moments easier to hear, while Object Eraser removes distracting elements from images so creators can get the frame they want. Together with other intelligent editing capabilities, these tools give creators more control over the final result, whether they are polishing a quick social post, cleaning up a product shot, or turning an everyday moment into content worth sharing.

Consider some of the content trends currently dominating feeds:

–         Spend the day with me: let your life be the content – “Spend the day with me” and “a day in the life” content thrives on authenticity. From getting ready in the morning to lectures, meetings, errands, meals and late-night wind-downs, creators are turning ordinary routines into compelling stories.

With Galaxy AI, creators can spend less time wrestling with the technical side of content and more time focusing on the story they want to tell. AI-powered creative tools can help streamline the editing process, making it easier to refine content when the clock is ticking and the trend is still hot. And because inspiration doesn’t wait for the perfect studio setup, Galaxy’s intuitive camera experience lets creators capture moments as they happen.

–         Cooking content: because chopping and filming should not be a two-person job

Cooking videos are all about showing the process, from the first ingredient to the final plate. But trying to hold a phone while chopping onions is a recipe for disaster.

Enter Hands-Free Capture.

With a Galaxy foldable, creators can position their device at the right angle and record while keeping both hands available to cook, stir and demonstrate. The result is a more natural cooking video that captures the creator actually doing what they came to do.

The phone becomes less of a camera being operated and more of a creative companion simply keeping up.

–         Skincare, perfumes and GRWMs (get ready with me): get closer to the detail

Beauty content demands detail. Whether it is demonstrating a skincare routine, revealing a new fragrance or filming a GRWM, creators need a camera setup that lets them stay in the moment while keeping their audience close to the action.

FlexCam¹ on Galaxy Z Flip8 allows creators to position the phone hands-free, making it particularly useful for content where both hands are needed. Fold the device into position, place it on a surface and start creating.

For skincare creators, that means being able to wash, apply, demonstrate and talk to camera without constantly reaching for a phone. For GRWM creators, it creates the freedom to move naturally through the routine while the camera keeps rolling.

–         Influencer events: because FOMO is content

From launches and fashion events to concerts and creator gatherings, event content is all about capturing the atmosphere before the moment disappears.

This is where Nightography¹ and Zoom can help creators bring their followers closer to the action, whether they are documenting the energy of an evening event, capturing details from across a venue or creating vlog-style content on the move.

With the right Galaxy camera capabilities in hand, creators can focus on experiencing the event while still collecting the footage that turns “I was there” into “you had to be there.”

From creator to trendsetter

The creator economy is no longer simply about chasing views. It is about building an audience, developing a recognisable point of view and turning creativity into opportunity.

Samsung Galaxy’s partnership with the Content Creator Awards celebrates that evolution. The awards recognise creators across 20 categories, while Samsung’s involvement shines a spotlight on the technology that sits behind so much of what we see today.

The Samsung Galaxy Creator of the Year Award is the pinnacle of the ceremony, recognising the creator who has delivered an outstanding year of content and demonstrated creativity, consistency and cultural impact across South Africa. The winner will be determined through a combination of public SMS and online voting and deliberation by an industry judging panel.

The winner will receive R20,000 in cash, a trophy and a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 valued at R40,999.

Meanwhile, the #CapturedWithGalaxy Award opens the door to creators across every niche, celebrating extraordinary content captured on any Samsung Galaxy device. Entrants can submit their work publicly on social media using #CapturedWithGalaxy, tagging @SamsungMobileSA and @ContentCreatorAwardsSA. Entries will then go through panel shortlisting and public voting.

The winner will take home an official Content Creator Award Trophy and a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 valued at R40,999.

With the 2026 Content Creator Awards approaching, Samsung Galaxy is inviting South Africa’s creators to keep filming, experimenting, editing, posting and, most importantly, creating. Because the next trend could come from you, with Galaxy as your sidekick.

1. Results may vary depending on light condition and/or shooting conditions including multiple subjects, being out of focus or moving subjects. ︎

Capturing the Magic with the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra

For the first time at the Luxurious Marble Circus, Samsung created a Galaxy Hangout Imaginarium— a content creation hub designed to flip and fold the imagination. The crowds at the Imaginarium and around the festival grounds were introduced to the charms of the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra as roaming promoters captured EVOPHORIA of the festival with the epic 200MP camera system.  

For some, it was the first time meeting the Galaxy Z Fold8, a smartphone that fluidly shapeshifts for digital explorers, seamlessly matching the ways one creates, watches and enjoys content. Creators leaned into the playful versatility of this passport-sized device, snapping high-quality 50MP main camera selfies that highlighted their experiences at the Hangout Imaginarium. It is the lightest Galaxy foldable phone yet¹.

Visitors could step into the wonder of the Galaxy Z Flip8 by playing with features like FlexMode to take high-quality main camera selfies that showed the fine details of their OOTDs (Outfits of The Day) and foodie experiences. Of course, FlexMode and folding phones are old tricks that other mobile phone makers have only recently caught up with. The Galaxy Z8 Series has next-level features like Super Steady with Horizontal Lock (first introduced in the Galaxy S26) or Dual Recording—where users could utilize both the front and rear cameras simultaneously with real-time split-screen previews on the expansive main display—that festivalgoer used to capture their unique POVs of the live performances and foodie delights.

As daylight gave way to the electric energy of the evening, the festival took on another personality. Fireworks lit up the sky, DJs took over the stage and performers moved through the crowds, creating fleeting moments that demanded to be captured. With Nightography, Super Steady with Horizontal Lock and My FanCam², Galaxy gave festival-goers tools designed to keep up with the action.

The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold8 and Galaxy Z Flip8 proved to be the ultimate companions for the modern concertgoer, showcasing how mobile technology has evolved to intuitively serve and elevate live entertainment experiences. From zooming into the performers with the 50MP cameras, to auto-framing dynamic wide-angle shots of the festival grounds to capturing split-second magical moments and then turning that into shareable content that expressed individuality. With these devices the vibrancy of the Luxurious Marble Circus was captured and shared in stunning detail, demonstrating that with Samsung Galaxy there are truly no bad seats.

 Pocket-Sized Galaxy Magic All Summer Long

The best part is that the magic doesn’t have to end when the festival gates close. Those who visited the Galaxy Hangout Imaginarium and took selfies stood a chance to walk away with mobile magic they could literally pocket by winning a Galaxy Z Fold8³. Whether you win or decide to purchase one of the Galaxy Z Fold8 Series phones, get ready to capture memories all summer long and enjoy the spirit of the Imaginarium for many summers to come.

1. Compared to previous Galaxy Z Fold models. ︎
2. My FanCam feature requires a Samsung Account login. Availability may vary by video. Not supported if there is no subject to track. Accuracy of results is not guaranteed. ︎
3. Competitions Terms and Conditions apply ︎

For the first time, Samsung will take part in The Luxurious Marble Circus, creating an immersive Galaxy experience designed around what the brand knows best: giving people new ways to capture, create and share the moments that matter. At the heart of Samsung’s presence will be the Galaxy Z8 Series, including the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold8 and Galaxy Z Flip8. There’ll be a dedicated Galaxy Hangout (activation), where attendees will be invited to step into a world of creative possibilities, explore the latest foldable technology and put Galaxy’s cameras as well as its AI capabilities to the test.

The partnership is a natural fit. The Luxurious Marble Circus brings together brands, artists and experiences in a shared playground where each creates a world inspired by what it does best. For Samsung Galaxy, that world is mobile technology, where powerful cameras, flexible form factors and AI capabilities give people the freedom to turn an idea into something worth capturing.

“At Samsung, we’re always looking for ways to bring technology into spaces where creativity, self-expression and culture come alive. The Luxurious Marble Circus is a world where people are encouraged to experience things differently, which is exactly the kind of environment where Galaxy belongs. With the Galaxy Z8 Series, we’re giving people more than a device to document the experience. We’re giving them tools to explore their creativity, capture the unexpected and put their own stamp on the moments they experience,” says Rae Hargreaves, Head of Marketing: Mobile eXperience at Samsung South Africa.

At an event designed around wonder and spectacle, the camera becomes more than a way to document what happened – it becomes a creative tool for seeing the experience differently. The Galaxy Z8 Series is built for exactly these kinds of moments. The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, with its 200MP camera system, is the ultimate concert phone, giving creators the ability to capture detail from across the action, while My FanCam brings an added layer of personalisation to live-event content. Whether the moment is happening on a stage, in a crowd or somewhere unexpected – Galaxy foldables gives users more ways to get into the action without needing to be in the middle of it.

Then there is the magic of Galaxy AI. At The Luxurious Marble Circus, attendees will be able to experiment with AI-powered creative tools that can transform an image with a few simple gestures. Remove an unwanted object, change a distracting element, rework the backdrop or refine an image quickly before an act ends so you never miss a beat. What might once have required a full editing suite can become a few taps or a simple interaction on a Galaxy device. It is this ability to make the unexpected happen that makes Galaxy such a natural fit for the circus.

In the same way that The Luxurious Marble Circus invites people to suspend the ordinary and enter a world where anything feels possible, Galaxy technology gives people the tools to take an ordinary photograph and make it something entirely their own; thereby speaking directly into this year’s theme of euphoric transformation: EVOPHORIA.

The Samsung Galaxy Hangout Imaginarium will serve as the centrepiece of the brand’s presence, taking attendees on an experiential journey through a series of creative environments designed to showcase the possibilities of the Galaxy Z8 Series. The hangout will welcome guests to foldables and give them a billion reasons to switch. From a Nightography Zone designed to put low-light photography to the test, to spaces dedicated to the foldable experience and Galaxy AI; visitors will be encouraged to experiment with the devices rather than simply look at them.

The three Galaxy Z8 Series devices will each bring a different dimension to the experience. The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra will showcase the possibilities of ultra-level mobile photography and creativity, the Galaxy Z Fold8 will put its expansive foldable canvas and creator capabilities to work; while the Galaxy Z Flip8 will bring its compact, expressive form factor into the energy of the festival environment. And because the best memories are the ones you get to take home, Galaxy will also be putting its technology to work across the festival grounds – helping attendees capture moments as they happen and turn them into personalised content.

Samsung will also bring its Galaxy presence to some of The Luxurious Marble Circus’s biggest moments, with Galaxy integrated into the visual and experiential essence of the event, including a special closing performance by Samurai Farai featuring digital art created using the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra. The Luxurious Marble Circus is built around the idea that an experience can be many things at once: a spectacle, a playground, a meeting point and a canvas for self-expression. Samsung Galaxy brings another layer to that idea. Because sometimes the best part of an experience is not simply watching the magic happen. It is having the tools to capture it, reshape it and make it yours.

About The Luxurious Marble Circus 

The Luxurious Marble Circus is a grand collaboration between The Marble Group, Grid Worldwide, G&G – The Goosebumps Company and Grand Collaborator, Investec. A fantazma of feastery, finery and funnery, this two-day event fuses fine dining, music and fun to deliver an Out of the Ordinarious festival experience. Official Partner brands adding flair to this fabulicious affair include Mercedes-Benz, Savanna, Heineken, Hennessey, Don Julio, Johnnie Walker, Moët & Chandon, Schweppes, Samsung, Country Road and 947. Visit www.luxuriousmarblecircus.com for more info. 

For film director and content creator Pedro Ridwan (@Pedrothe3rd), capturing those moments at this year’s 947 Joburg Day meant doing more than simply pointing a camera at the action. Armed with Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Pedro brought his own visual perspective to one of Jozi’s live music experiences, capturing and turning the day’s energy into a dynamic portrait of the festival, its crowds and the artists who took to the stage.

The result is a highlight reel that shows the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra’s 200MP camera capabilities when put to the test in one of the most demanding environments for mobile photography and videography: a major live festival.

Concert photography can be unforgiving. Subjects move quickly, lighting changes momentarily, performers can be far from the crowd, and once the sun goes down, capturing detail without noise or losing the atmosphere becomes even more challenging. Add a huge crowd, limited space and the reality of moving through a packed festival, and carrying a full professional camera setup isn’t always practical.

Pedro’s approach demonstrates how the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra can flip that script. With its advanced Ultra camera system, Space Zoom¹ brings distant performers closer, with up to 100x Zoom¹ allowing creators to get into the action without having to physically push their way towards the stage. The ProVisual Engine¹ works behind the scenes to optimise image quality across challenging conditions, while Nightography¹ helps preserve detail and atmosphere when the lighting drops and the performance continues after dark.

When the action gets unpredictable, Super Steady² Video with Horizontal Lock helps keep footage smooth and stable, even when the creator is moving with the energy of the crowd. And for fans who want to focus on a particular performer, My FanCam³ offers another way to put the spotlight where it belongs, helping turn the live-event experience into personalised concert content.

These are technical specifications, but Pedro turned them into creative tools. His footage moves seamlessly between wide shots capturing the scale of 947 Joburg Day, close-up views of performers and detailed moments that impeccably depict the atmosphere of the festival.

But the real advantage of the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra at a live event extends beyond what is happening inside the camera.

It is the foldable form factor itself. Unfolded, the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra’s expansive main display becomes an immersive viewfinder, giving creators a larger canvas through which to frame their shots and see the action. That flexibility takes the relationship between creator and camera to another level. Instead of holding a phone rigidly in front of you throughout a performance, the Z Fold8 Ultra can adapt to the way you want to shoot, whether that means finding a low-angle perspective, setting up a hands-free shot or reviewing footage on a larger screen.

And while the camera is capturing the action, the experience does not have to stop there. The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra is built for multitasking and multi-window creation, allowing creators to move between apps, footage and other content without constantly interrupting their workflow. A creator can capture a performance, review a clip, work across multiple windows and use Galaxy AI editing tools to refine content, all from the same device.

That means filming the concert does not have to distract you from the fun of being there. Instead, the experience can happen through the lens of the device. The creator remains part of the crowd, takes in the performance and responds to the moment, while the Z Fold8 Ultra becomes the tool that captures, shapes and shares it.

“947 Joburg Day is the kind of environment where something is always happening, so I was fortunate to have a device that could keep up with that pace without getting in the way of the experience. The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra gave me the flexibility to move between wide crowd moments, details on stage and shots from different angles, while the larger screen made it easier to see and shape what I was capturing. For me, that is what makes it exciting as a creative tool. I’m not just documenting what is happening, I’m able to experience the moment and create from it at the same time,” said Pedro.

The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra is therefore particularly suited to content creators working in environments where mobility matters. Rather than navigating a festival with heavy camera bodies, lenses and additional equipment, creators can have an advanced toolkit in a device that fits not only into their pockets but the flow of the experience. That freedom makes all the difference when capturing constantly moving subjects.

At 947 Joburg Day, the camera had to respond to everything from lively performances and dynamic stage lighting to expansive crowd shots and the low-light conditions of an outdoor concert after dark. Pedro’s footage demonstrates how the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra is designed to meet those moments in real time, giving creators the flexibility to find their shot rather than waiting for the conditions to become perfect.

Through Pedro’s eyes, 947 Joburg Day became more than a collection of performances but a living, moving visual story, captured from within the crowd and told through the perspective of a creator reacting to moments as quickly as they unfolded.

And that is where the foldable advantage becomes particularly powerful. The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra is not simply a high-performance camera that happens to fold. It is a different kind of creative device, bringing an expansive display, flexible shooting angles, powerful cameras, AI-powered editing and multitasking into a form factor designed to move with the creator.

Can your phone do that:

With the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra in hand, you can break the barrier between professional capture and spontaneous creation, thus highlighting the freedom creators have to document big moments with fewer compromises and far less equipment.

No Bad Seats with Galaxy

At a festival like 947 Joburg Day, there is no single place where the best moment happens. It might happen on stage, somewhere in the crowd, in the reaction of the person next to you, or in a split-second moment that’s easy to miss from a distance. With Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, there are #NoBadSeats, whether you are close to the stage or catching the action from further back, Galaxy gives you the tools to find your perspective, get closer to the moment and capture it your way. Because when the experience is this big, your position should never decide what you get to see or capture.

1. Results may vary depending on light condition and/or shooting conditions including multiple subjects, being out of focus or moving subjects. ︎
2. Super Steady results may vary depending on editing method and/or shooting conditions. ︎
3. My FanCam feature requires a Samsung Account login. Availability may vary by video. Not supported if there is no subject to track. Accuracy of results is not guaranteed. ︎

Recognising this shift, the Content Creator Awards, sponsored by Samsung, are taking their commitment to South Africa’s creator economy beyond the annual celebration of creative excellence with the introduction of two free Creator Labs, designed to educate, connect and equip creators with practical skills for building sustainable careers in the industry.

Created by Manuela Dias de Deus, founder of the Content Creator Awards, the Creator Labs bring creators together with leading platforms, brands, agencies and industry experts, creating a space where they can learn directly from the people shaping the opportunities available to them.

The first Creator Lab took place on 2 September at Workshop17 in Sandton, bringing together approximately 150 creators for a day of practical insights and industry conversations. The second Creator Lab took place on 11 September at Workshop17 at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, bringing the initiative to creators in the Western Cape.

The sessions explore key areas of the creator journey, including content monetisation, technology, creativity, industry trends and the commercial opportunities available to creators. Contributions from industry experts focus on, among others, the importance of tax and legal compliance and overall financial management. Samsung explores AI-powered creativity and mobile innovation, while leading creators, agencies and brands share lessons from their own experiences navigating an increasingly sophisticated creator landscape.

For Samsung, supporting the Creator Labs is an extension of its broader commitment to enabling creators with technology that can help turn ideas into content, and content into opportunity. Speaking at the Creator Labs, Rae Hargreaves, Head of Marketing: Mobile eXperience at Samsung South Africa, offered creators insight into what brands consider when looking to collaborate with creators, highlighting that follower numbers are only one part of the equation.

“Having a large following is not the only thing brands look at when considering creators to work with. From a brand perspective, we look at fit, and that means going deeper than the number of followers you have,” says Hargreaves. “We look at how you engage with your community, how consistent you are, the kind of conversations happening in your comments and whether your audience genuinely connects with what you are creating. Building that relationship with your audience is incredibly valuable, because brands are looking for creators who can authentically connect with the communities they want to reach.”

This emphasis on community, consistency and authenticity reflects the changing nature of creator-brand partnerships. As creator-led storytelling becomes increasingly influential, creators are being recognised not simply as content producers, but as communities and businesses in their own right.

The creator’s studio – right in your pocket

Technology is also changing what it takes to create professional-looking content. During the both sessions, Ashley Cloete, Head of Product Training at Samsung South Africa, explored how AI is rewriting the creator playbook and how Galaxy devices are helping creators simplify the journey from idea to finished content.

“The days when creators needed to carry a whole production kit with lights, tripods and multiple pieces of equipment just to capture quality content are behind us,” says Cloete. “The latest Galaxy foldables for instance, including the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold8 and Galaxy Z Flip8, put so many of the tools creators need into one device. You can capture, edit and share your content without needing a tripod or an extra pair of hands to make it happen.”

For creators constantly moving between locations, events, trends and ideas, this shift can make the creative process significantly more seamless. Samsung Galaxy’s latest foldables are the ultimate content creator companion, as they are designed to give them greater flexibility in how they capture and work with content. From hands-free shooting and versatile form factors to advanced cameras and AI-powered editing tools, creators can increasingly manage the entire content journey from a single device.

Galaxy AI can also help take some of the friction out of the editing process, allowing creators to spend less time on repetitive tasks and more time developing the creative idea behind their content. That means a creator heading to an event does not necessarily need to arrive carrying a production bag. The technology becomes part of the workflow rather than another barrier to overcome.

The Creator Labs arrive at a pivotal moment for South Africa’s creator economy. As brands increasingly recognise the power of creator-led storytelling and the communities creators have built, understanding the business behind content has become critical.

“Celebrating creators once a year is important, but supporting the creator economy means doing more than handing out trophies,” says Hargreaves. “We need to create opportunities for creators to learn, connect and understand how they can turn their creativity into sustainable careers. That is what makes initiatives like the Creator Labs so valuable.”

Creator Labs precede the Samsung-sponsored 2026 Content Creator Awards on 17 October 2026 in Sandton, where local creative talent will take centre stage.

Smart Switch is Samsung’s data transfer app¹ that allows users to move contacts, photos, videos, messages, apps, settings and more from an Android or iOS device to a new Galaxy device. With One UI 9 on the new eighth-generation Galaxy Z series, Smart Switch makes switching devices easier and more seamless than before. Quick Share has also been enhanced – making it easier to share files with friends, family and colleagues using different platforms.

Start Switching with Just a QR Code

With One UI 9, users no longer need to install the Smart Switch app separately on their iOS device. By simply scanning the QR code displayed on their new Galaxy, they can start transferring data through Smart Switch. The updated Smart Switch also makes it easier to connect wirelessly. The two devices can connect without users needing to find the right cable or adapter before getting their new phone set up.

Bring More of Your Phone with You

With One UI 9, Smart Switch has expanded the types of data that can move from iOS devices to Galaxy. In addition to previously supported data such as photos, messages, contacts, calendars and apps, users can also transfer passwords and passkeys, call history, accessibility settings and eSIM information. These may be less visible than a photo library, but they can make a big difference to how quickly a new device feels ready to use. A saved password means one less account to set up again.

Bringing over accessibility settings can reduce the need to recreate a personalised experience. eSIM information can also be transferred, making it easier to continue using an existing mobile setup.

Make Galaxy Feel More Familiar

Whether switching to Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Z Fold8 or Z Flip8, users can make their new device feel familiar from the start. Beyond transferring data, they can adjust key settings such as Swipe gestures and Home screen layout to suit the way they use their phone. With the UI customisation app Good Lock², users can also personalise the Home screen, app switching and more – giving them greater freedom to use Galaxy in the way that works best for them.

For those switching from iOS to Galaxy, these options can help recreate familiar ways of navigating and organising their previous smartphone, reducing the adjustment that can come with moving to a new environment. This helps users settle into their new Galaxy more comfortably and naturally from the start.

Keep Sharing After the Switch

Changing smartphones does not mean everyone around a user changes theirs too. Friends, family and colleagues may continue using different devices, which makes cross-platform sharing an important part of the experience long after setup is finished. Devices running One UI 9 and One UI 8.5 can benefit from an enhanced cross-device sharing experience³ with Quick Share.

Choosing a new smartphone should come down to the experience people want next. By simplifying how the switch begins, expanding what can move across and making it easier to keep sharing afterward, Samsung is reducing more of the practical barriers between smartphone ecosystems. The result is a simpler way to move to Galaxy, while bringing more of what already matters along for the journey.

1. Transferable data may vary depending on the device OS (Android or iOS), OS version and connection method. Data transfer from an iOS device to a Galaxy device using the upgraded method is available on devices running Android 17 or later and iOS 26.6 or later in regions outside mainland China ︎
2. This application is available on SAMSUNG devices running Android 8.0 or higher.(Some devices may not be supported) ︎
3. The “Share with iOS devices” feature is currently supported first on select flagship models, including the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold8, Galaxy Z Flip8 and Galaxy S26, with support planned to expand to more models in the future. ︎

Adding a heavy dose of local sporting pride, the inclusion of DHL Stormers players gives Cape Town fans a rare chance to interact off the field, snap unforgettable moments, and test the limits of Galaxy AI side-by-side with rugby royalty. Whether it is using the latest Galaxy Z8 Series camera features to capture crisp, high-quality selfies with the main camera or exploring the seamless device ecosystem, visitors can experience how Samsung technology keeps fans closer to the action.

When visiting the Galaxy Hangout at Canal Walk on Saturday, 12 September, attendees will also have a chance to win exclusive prizes. For example, when you complete the product experience journey, you’ll stand a chance to win 1 of 2 signed DHL Stormers Jerseys¹.

Rae Hargreaves, the Head of Marketing of MX at Samsung South Africa says “South Africans know the hustle. We know the places we gather, the people we meet there and the moments that become stories we keep coming back to. The Galaxy Hangout brings those familiar rhythms of everyday life into an immersive experience built around the three distinct Galaxy Z8 Series form factors. Rather than asking visitors to compare specifications, Samsung invites them to discover where they belong to ultimately discover foldable belongs with them.”

The calendar of Samsung Galaxy Hangout stops in the Mother City’s favourite hangout spots this September is a follows:

• Canal Walk – 12 September
• Route Mall – 24- 27 September
• V&A Silo District – 16-17 September
• The Heritage Music Festival at Groote Schuur High School – 19 September
• Go Bright or go Home Picnic at The Castle of Good Hope – 26 September
• Down to Earth Market – 30 September

Step aboard the Galaxy Hangouts Bus and the experience unfolds across three distinct spaces, each inspired by a different foldable, its signature colour and the lifestyle persona it represents. Visitors can expect hands-on interactions, giving them the chance to see how the devices naturally fit into the way they live, work, create and connect.

The spaces are tailored to allow visitors to explore and see which Galaxy foldable best matches their persona, and each space offers a different glimpse into the possibilities of the Galaxy Z8 series.

And there will be plenty of opportunities to make the experience your own. Visitors can capture content, create moments with friends and put the foldables into action in ways that feel less like a product demonstration and more like a day out.

Whether you are a die-hard rugby supporter, a fan of the Samsung Galaxy Z8 Series, or just searching for a fun group activity on these dates, these hangouts are definitely worth a visit. The core concept behind the Galaxy Hangout is straightforward: there is a Galaxy foldable designed for every type of user.

So, grab your crew, bring your curiosity and come find out which Galaxy foldable is your kind of foldable. Whether you’re all about getting things done, creating and expressing yourself, or immersing yourself in the things you love, the Samsung Galaxy Z8 Series Hangout awaits.

1. T’s and C’s apply ︎

As those technologies evolved, Samsung focused on another challenge: making a large-screen foldable easier to carry every day, without losing the experiences that make the form factor unique.

And through that pursuit, Galaxy Z Fold5 weighed 253 grams, and Galaxy Z Fold6 reduced its weight further to 239 grams.

With Galaxy Z Fold7 came an even more ambitious goal:

“Could a foldable be lighter than a bar-type flagship smartphone?”

At the time, Galaxy S25 Ultra — one of Samsung’s flagship bar-type smartphones — weighed 218 grams. So, the development team set an even lighter weight target for Galaxy Z Fold7: 215 grams.

Galaxy Z Fold7 reached that goal. And now, building on years of foldable innovation, Galaxy Z Fold8 combines a new form factor with advances in core technologies, materials and internal architecture to weigh just 201 grams — 52 grams lighter than Galaxy Z Fold5. At 201 grams, Galaxy Z Fold8 is the world’s lightest fold¹.

But consumers expected more than just a lighter foldable.

A 2024 YouGov survey² found that a bulky or heavy design remained a concern among consumers not planning to purchase foldables, while battery life, durability and display quality ranked as top priorities for those considering them.

This insight shaped a core engineering goal for Samsung: make foldables thinner and lighter, while maintaining the core experiences users value most.

Battery life, camera performance, thermal management and durability still had to advance.

That could not be achieved by changing a single component. Samsung engineers had to reimagine the entire device — advancing fundamental foldable technologies, introducing new materials and revisiting hundreds of components and auxiliary parts to the fraction-of-a-gram level.

From 253 grams to 201 grams. Three engineering innovations enabled that transformation.

The Thinner and Lighter a Foldable Gets, the More Precise the Engineering Must Become

Making a foldable thinner and lighter brings a new set of engineering challenges.

The layers inside the display need to become thinner while still meeting Samsung’s durability and reliability requirements. The metal plate supporting the display needs to stay extremely flat even as it becomes thinner. And the hinge has to manage the forces created every time the device folds and unfolds, while being designed around the size and structure of each product.

Across generations, Samsung has continued to advance the display layers, ultra-thin metal precision machining and hinge technologies central to its foldable devices.

One example is Flex Titanium.

The displays in Galaxy Z Fold8 and Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra use Flex Titanium technology featuring a Titanium Alloy Film designed for the foldable display structure.

The film is just tens of micrometres thick — roughly one-third the width of a human hair. Its material and structure work together to maintain performance at this extreme thickness.

The metal plate that supports the display presents a different challenge.

Some metal plates are machined to approximately 0.2 millimetres thick, with the thinnest sections reaching 0.15 millimetres. At that level, simply making the metal thinner is not enough. Thin metal can bend or warp more easily during machining, and even a small change in shape can affect assembly precision or the surface quality of the display.

What matters is the ability to machine ultra-thin metal at around 0.2 millimetres while consistently achieving the required shape and flatness.

Samsung refined the machining sequence, tooling, cooling conditions and process parameters, breaking the process into multiple stages to maintain precision.

The hinge requires the same level of care.

Beyond simply opening and closing the phone, it must distribute the forces created by repeated folding and unfolding across the device while maintaining structural stability.

And these requirements vary by product size and architecture.

Samsung engineers the hinge for each form factor, carefully balancing load distribution, strength, durability, internal space and weight rather than just scaling it down from one generation to the next.

Creating a thinner and lighter foldable requires more than downsizing individual parts.

It comes from greater precision in how materials are machined, how forces are managed and how structures are designed within a limited space.

Lighter, Built for Strength — Starting With the Materials

The second area is materials innovation.

Different parts of a foldable have very different jobs. Some demand high rigidity. Some must withstand repeated movement. Others need to spread heat efficiently.

Samsung selects and develops materials around those specific needs, delivering the performance each requires while optimising weight and space.

In Galaxy Z Fold8 and Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Flex Titanium incorporates a Titanium Alloy Film to support the foldable display structure.

For the exterior, Samsung uses Advanced Armor Aluminum, helping provide the strength and durability needed in a thin and lightweight frame.

Materials also play an important role in thermal management.

As a device gets thinner, there is less room to manage the heat generated inside. Samsung uses graphite with improved thermal performance, while tailoring the overall thermal structure to the size and performance requirements of each product.

In Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, which has similar overall dimensions to Galaxy Z Fold7, the volume of the graphite heat-dissipation layer was increased by approximately 7% to help support its enhanced performance.

Samsung also applies Clad Metal inside the rear of the device. By combining the characteristics of different metals, the material helps reduce weight while providing the thermal performance required within a thin structure.

Materials innovation is therefore not just about choosing lighter options, but about using the right material in the right place to deliver the performance each part needs with less weight and space.

Looking Again at the Entire Device — Down to 0.001 Grams

Only so much can be achieved through core technologies and new materials alone.

In a foldable already packed with highly integrated components, finding the next few grams means looking again at almost everything inside the device.

Samsung engineers reviewed approximately 270 components and more than 180 types of auxiliary parts.

This spanned everything from the display, hinge and cameras to circuit boards, antennas, brackets, tapes and fasteners.

The precision extended to reductions of 0.1 grams and 0.1 millimetres, and in some auxiliary parts, as little as 0.001 grams.

The printed circuit board, or PCB, was redesigned to remove unnecessary circuits, improve component layout and minimise its footprint.

The MFC (Magnetic Flux Channel) antenna was also reimagined to reduce unnecessary overlap and interference with surrounding components, allowing the limited internal space to be used more efficiently.

Every auxiliary part, no matter how small, was examined.

Of the more than 180 types previously used, approximately 15 were eliminated.

Engineers then reviewed the remaining 170 types, trimming oversized areas, refining shapes and optimising dimensions. Multiple parts were consolidated into single structures where possible.

In some cases, the savings were measured in increments as small as 0.001 grams.

Each change seems minor in isolation, but repeated across the device, fractions of a gram become tenths of a gram, then whole grams.

The weight savings on a finished device result from hundreds of small engineering decisions.

Finding 6 Grams Again to Make Room for More

The goal was to reinvest the weight and space recovered through engineering into the capabilities people actually experience — including the battery, cameras and thermal system.

Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra provides a separate example of how this approach can be applied.

Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra and Galaxy Z Fold7 have similar overall dimensions and both weigh 215 grams. But within that same weight, Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra increases battery capacity from 4,400 mAh to 5,000 mAh.

That larger battery brought its own challenge: the battery itself added approximately 6 grams.

So the development team faced a new question:

“Where could we find those 6 grams again?”

There was no single component that could provide the answer.

Instead, engineers applied the same systematic approach across the entire device — materials and structures, circuit layouts and component placement, down to the smallest auxiliary parts — identifying weight savings across all components.

This strategy extended to internal space optimisation.

By reducing unnecessary overlap between the display, circuits, antennas and surrounding components, and by improving packaging efficiency, Samsung created room for a larger battery and enhanced thermal and camera systems.

As a result, Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra accommodates a 5,000 mAh battery while increasing the volume of its graphite heat-dissipation layer by approximately 7% compared with the similarly sized Galaxy Z Fold7.

Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra features a 200 MP main camera and introduces the first 50 MP Ultra-Wide camera on a Galaxy Z Fold device.

Samsung’s approach to a thinner and lighter foldable is therefore not about removing capabilities.

It is about redirecting weight and space savings toward the flagship experiences users value most.

From 253 Grams to 201 Grams: Redefining the Weight Standard for Foldables

The journey began with the first Galaxy Fold at 276 grams in 2019. Across eight generations, Samsung has continued to advance the technologies, materials and internal architecture behind the foldable experience.

In recent generations, that progress accelerated — from 253 grams with Galaxy Z Fold5 to 201 grams with Galaxy Z Fold8.

But the story isn’t just about reducing weight.

Samsung’s goal has been to make a large-screen foldable easier to carry without giving up the qualities users expect from a flagship smartphone.

The weight and space recovered through advances in core technologies, materials and component design were put back into the battery, cameras, thermal system and other flagship experiences users value most.

From 253 grams to 201 grams.

No single material or component made that transformation possible.

Eight generations of engineering enabled this, advancing core technologies, introducing new materials and rethinking the entire device to make Galaxy Z Fold easier to carry without compromising the flagship experience.

Galaxy Z Fold Series: A Thinner, Lighter Journey in Numbers

– 52 g
Galaxy Z Fold8 is 52 grams lighter than Galaxy Z Fold5.

1/3, 0.2 mm
The Titanium Alloy Film used in Flex Titanium is approximately one-third the width of a human hair, while ultra-thin metal structures supporting the display are precision-machined to around 0.2 millimetres.

~270 / 180+ / 0.001 g
Samsung re-examined approximately 270 components and more than 180 types of auxiliary parts, optimising some down to 0.001 grams.

5,000 mAh / +~7% / 200 MP + 50 MP
Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra features a 5,000 mAh battery, approximately 7% more graphite heat-dissipation volume and a 200 MP main camera with a 50 MP Ultra-Wide camera.

1. Based on internal research as of July 22, 2026, comparing commercially available book-style foldable smartphones globally. Exact weight may vary by model, configuration and manufacturing process. Weight measured excluding protective cases or accessories. ︎
2. Source: YouGov plc, 2024, © All rights reserved ︎

And there was something for everyone – There was a dedicated play area for kids, rugby fans were treated to a fan park with a huge screen¹ to catch the Springboks vs All Blacks [AJP/OCE1] live in action, and food and beverage stalls kept festivalgoers fuelled throughout the day. Brands added to the experience with colourful activations, interactive experiences and plenty of branded goodies, while the main event remained what 947 Joburg Day does best: a packed programme of live music and performances from some of South Africa’s biggest artists.

For Samsung, the day was an opportunity to put Galaxy technology where it belongs: directly in the hands of people creating, capturing and sharing the moments that make live events memorable.

Galaxy Hangout becomes a festival hotspot

One of the busiest attractions throughout the day was the Galaxy Hangout with its bus, which quickly became a hive of activity as festivalgoers queued to step inside and experience Samsung’s latest Galaxy foldables.

Designed as a chilled-out space to hang with friends while enjoying a drink and getting hands-on with the latest Galaxy Z8 Series, the Hangout gave visitors the chance to take a break from the festival rush while discovering what the newest foldable devices can bring to everyday life.

Galaxy fans and the simply curious alike explored the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Fold8 and Flip8, getting a closer look at the devices and experiencing their different form factors first-hand.

The Galaxy Z Fold8 series brought its expansive-screen experience to the festival, giving visitors a chance to see how a large², immersive display can transform everything from reviewing photos and watching content to editing and creating on the move. Meanwhile, the compact Galaxy Z Flip8 showed off the versatility of a foldable designed to fit effortlessly into the rhythm of a busy festival day.

The queues and constant movement around the Hangout throughout the day reflected the growing curiosity around foldable technology, with festivalgoers keen to see, touch and experience the devices for themselves.

When everyone is a headliner

The Galaxy experience extended beyond the Hangout, with Samsung’s partnership with 947 bringing Galaxy closer to the heart of the festival. Throughout the day, festivalgoers had opportunities to become part of the mainstage experience, blurring the line between fans and performer. In line with Samsung’s “Everyone’s a Headliner” message, every person in the crowd had their own moment worth capturing. And there was certainly no shortage of those moments.

From friends posing for photos against the festival backdrop to fans recording their favourite artists, spontaneous dance moves and unforgettable crowd reactions, Galaxy devices were on hand to capture the day from every angle. The result was a festival experience that did not simply live on the stage. It lived in thousands of camera rolls, group chats, social feeds and personal memories.

A festival day made for Galaxy

From families and sports fans to music lovers, content creators and those simply looking for a good day out, 947 Joburg Day demonstrated exactly why South Africa’s festival culture continues to thrive.

The field became a collage of picnic setups, camp chairs and groups of friends settling in for the day. Some danced through every performance, others took a more laid-back approach, while many moved between both worlds, enjoying the music one moment and catching up with friends over food and drinks the next.

And Galaxy was designed to move with all of them. The Galaxy Z series offered a different way to experience the day, whether that meant using a large screen³ to review and edit content, capturing hands-free group moments or simply folding a device away and getting back into the crowd.

Ultimately, Samsung’s presence at 947 Joburg Day was not about putting technology at the centre of the festival, but about putting it in front of people who use it in their daily lives.

Because the best festival moments are rarely the ones you plan. They are the unexpected ones – the song that suddenly becomes your favourite, the friend you bump into in the crowd, the photo that turns out better than expected, the performance you never intended to watch but cannot pull yourself away from. It was all epic fun and you simply had to be there.

1. Measured diagonally, Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra’s Cover Screen size is 6.5” in the full rectangle and 6.5” accounting for the rounded corners. The Main Screen size is 8.0” in the full rectangle and 8.0” accounting for the rounded corners; actual viewable area is smaller due to the rounded corners and camera hole. ︎
2. Measured diagonally, Galaxy Z Fold8’s Cover Screen size is 5.5” in the full rectangle and 5.4” accounting for the rounded corners. The Main Screen size is 7.6” in the full rectangle and 7.6” accounting for the rounded corners; actual viewable area is smaller due to the rounded corners and camera hole. ︎
3. Measured diagonally, Galaxy Z Flip8’s Cover Screen size is 4.1” in the full rectangle and 4.0” accounting for the rounded corners. The Main Screen size is 6.9” in the full rectangle and 6.8” accounting for the rounded corners; actual viewable area is smaller due to the rounded corners and camera hole. ︎

Designed to bring Galaxy innovation to life in a fun, interactive way, the Galaxy Hangout invites visitors to take a quick personality quiz before choosing their Galaxy foldable match. From there, guests can put their chosen device to the test as they journey through a series of hands-on experiences inspired by the things that make Joburg culture tick: music, fashion, sport, creativity and everyday life.

The experience is built for festivalgoers who want to create, capture and share every moment. Guests can create festival-worthy content at interactive DJ, stage and photo moments, take on quick Galaxy challenges and experiment with the latest Galaxy AI features. Once they have captured their perfect shot, they can head to the Touch-Up Bar for a final glow-up before sharing their content straight to social.

And because every great hangout should come with a few surprises, there will be plenty of opportunities to walk away with Samsung goodies. The first 50 guests every hour will score an instant Samsung giveaway, while those who complete the full Galaxy Hangout experience will receive a Samsung tote bag. Festivalgoers can also share their favourite Galaxy Hangout moment for a chance to win exclusive Joburg Day prizes, with winners to be announced on stage.

After all the action, visitors can take a moment to recharge in the Samsung lounge, enjoy a device-inspired mocktail and kick back with a view of the Joburg Day stage.

But there’s more!

Through Samsung’s partnership with 947, revellers will also have the opportunity to get closer to the main-stage action and watch their favourite artists up close. They will have an exciting chance to become part of the experience, bringing them closer to the artists and the music they came to celebrate.

Picture it: you and your crew dancing along to your favourite track, with your favourite artist performing just a few steps away. That’s the kind of festival memory that deserves to be captured on Galaxy.

With the Galaxy Hangout, Samsung is creating a space where technology meets the energy of 947 Joburg Day, giving festivalgoers more ways to experience the music, express themselves and turn moments into content worth sharing.

Create it. Capture it. Share it. Win it. Only at the Samsung Galaxy Hangout at 947 Joburg Day.