Google puts Gemini on Samsung's newest foldables, watches and smart glasses

Key points

• Google and Samsung used Galaxy Unpacked in London to launch the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Fold8 and Flip8 with new Gemini features built in.
• Gemini's task automation now works with more than 40 popular apps, up from a handful when the beta launched in February.
• Gemini Notebook, formerly NotebookLM, comes preinstalled on the new foldables and turns documents, photos and voice notes into study material.
• Every Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Fold8 and Flip8 ships with a six-month trial of Google AI Pro.
• Gemini now runs on the Galaxy Watch 9 without a wake word, and is coming to smart glasses this fall through Gentle Monster and Warby Parker.

Google used Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked event in London to show how its Gemini assistant, the AI system that powers Google's chatbot and productivity tools, will run on Samsung's newest phones, watches and glasses.

The headline devices are three folding phones: the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, the Fold8, and the smaller Flip8. Google is calling this rollout the first wave of "Gemini Intelligence", its pitch for AI that acts on your behalf rather than waiting to be asked.

Here is what actually changes for the person holding the phone.

Gemini can now do more of your errands

Back in February, Google introduced a test version of task automation, an AI agent, software that can carry out multi-step jobs on its own, for a small list of apps like rideshare and food delivery.

That list has grown. Gemini now works with more than 40 apps, covering shopping, restaurant bookings, travel and event tickets, according to Google AI's announcement.

On the Galaxy Z Flip8, you can trigger it from the small outer screen by long-pressing the power button. You can also point Gemini at a photo or a shopping list on your screen and ask it to work from that image instead of typing everything out.

While Gemini runs the task, you can watch each step, switch to another app, or close the phone and let it finish in the background. It pings you before it commits to anything final, like placing an order.

That human check-in matters. Anyone letting an AI buy things on their behalf should confirm the price, the item and the destination address every single time, because agent mistakes are not always cheap to undo.

Gemini Notebook comes preinstalled

Google is also putting Gemini Notebook, the app formerly known as NotebookLM, directly on the new foldables.

It is a research tool. You feed it your own material: PDFs, photos of a whiteboard, voice memos, web pages. Then you ask it questions about that material, or ask it to turn it into slides, flashcards, a quiz, a short video, or an audio summary that sounds like a podcast.

On the Fold8 series' larger inner screen, you can drag files into a split workspace and work on both sides at once. Every Fold8 Ultra, Fold8 and Flip8 buyer gets a six-month trial of Google AI Pro, which unlocks the heavier features like Audio Overviews and Video Overviews.

Watches and glasses join in

On the Galaxy Watch 9, you raise your wrist and Gemini wakes up. No "Hey Google" needed.

Google also confirmed more details on the smart glasses it announced with Samsung at I/O 2026. Two new frame designs join earlier reveals from Gentle Monster and Warby Parker, and the glasses launch this fall. If you are wearing a compatible Wear OS watch, a hand gesture will control them.

What does this mean for everyday users?

More of your phone is about to act on its own, and that changes the security picture.

An AI that can book flights and buy tickets is also an AI that can be tricked into booking the wrong flight or buying from the wrong seller. Scammers have already started designing fake websites and prompts aimed at AI agents, not humans.

Watch for two things. First, always read Gemini's final confirmation screen before you approve it, especially the total price and the recipient. Second, be suspicious of any message, email or webpage that seems to be giving instructions to your assistant rather than to you. That is the new shape of phishing.