With the Galaxy Z8 Series ushering in a new era of intelligent, lifestyle-led mobile experiences, we caught up with Vice President of Samsung Mobile, Justin Hume, at Samsung's local NDA preview event before we headed to London for Galaxy Unpacked.
From how consumer expectations have shaped seven generations of foldables to the growing role of AI as an intelligent, context-aware assistant, Justin shares how Samsung is reimagining the smartphone experience. He also explains why the future of mobile technology lies not in adding more features, but in creating devices that seamlessly adapt to the way people live, work, create and connect.
GLAMOUR: After seven generations of foldables, what is the biggest lesson Samsung has learnt about what consumers actually want from these devices?
Justin Hume: The biggest lesson is that consumers want technology that fits naturally into their lives and gives them something meaningfully better than what they had before – they do not want technology for technology’s sake. With foldables, we have learnt that the form factor needs to deliver a clear benefit every day. For some people, that means a larger screen that helps them work, create and multitask more effectively. For others, it means a compact device that becomes an extension of their personality and gives them new ways to express themselves.
GLAMOUR: AI is becoming central to the Galaxy ecosystem. How do you ensure these features feel genuinely useful rather than simply adding more technology to people's lives?
Justin Hume: Galaxy AI initially began as a set of individual features designed to help users with specific tasks such as translation, summarisation, and photo editing. Today, it is evolving into a foundation that brings together the broader mobile intelligence experience.
Beginning with the Galaxy Z8 Series, Samsung is moving beyond simply adding AI features on top of the operating system. Instead, the underlying architecture has been redesigned so that AI becomes a core part of how the system operates. This creates a framework in which multiple agents, applications and services can work together more seamlessly to complete tasks.
As these capabilities come together within the system, users will experience significantly enhanced automation. AI can understand the context of what users are doing on screen, identify the apps and services involved, and connect the appropriate functions and services to help complete the next task. The ecosystem of connected apps and services is also continuing.
GLAMOUR: Many GLAMOUR readers balance demanding careers, side hustles and creative passions. How does the Galaxy Z8 Series support this increasingly multi-dimensional way of living and working?
Justin Hume: Across the lineup, every insight feels more actionable and every action feels more connected. Multitasking is easier on the larger screens of Galaxy Z Fold8 and Fold8 Ultra, while Flip8's AI-native FlexWindow keeps relevant information and shortcuts within reach. And with partner AI experiences such as Gemini Intelligence, Galaxy gives users even more ways to get things done in fewer steps, with transparency, privacy and user control built in.
GLAMOUR: Foldables have gone from being a niche innovation to a mainstream category. What do you think has driven that shift in consumer confidence?
Justin Hume: While people were fascinated by the idea of a phone that could fold before, today, they are increasingly asking what that phone enables them to do differently. And this shift has been driven, in the main, by improvements across the entire experience, from durability to design, displays, cameras, battery performance, software and the way the form factor supports different lifestyles.
GLAMOUR: How important is personalisation to Samsung's vision for mobile technology, especially as AI becomes more intuitive and context-aware?
Justin Hume: Personalisation is incredibly important because no two people use technology the same way. The future of mobile technology is not about creating one experience that works the same for everyone. It is about creating technology that can adapt to individual preferences, routines and needs, while keeping control in their hands. AI can help make experiences more relevant, whether that is surfacing useful information, helping with a task or making it easier to access the things that matter to you.
GLAMOUR: What excites you most about the next chapter of foldables and mobile AI, and what do you think will surprise consumers most over the next few years?
Justin Hume: The shift from devices that respond to commands to ones that can understand intent and/or context, and help people complete tasks more naturally is exciting. Foldables give us new ways to interact with technology, while AI gives those interactions greater intelligence and context.
GLAMOUR: Which foldable are you? Please elaborate.
Justin Hume: I think I'm the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra in the office and the Galaxy Z Flip8 everywhere else. The Z Fold8 Ultra allows me to put my best foot forward with managing my tasks at work, while the Z Flip8 gives my creative and spontaneous side a voice outside of work.
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