Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 review: The compact foldable I’ve wanted all along

professionals and cons

Execs

• Pocketable, sensible design.
• Sharp, vibrant and vivid screens.
• Contains a less-reflective folding show with minimized crease.
• All-day battery.

Cons

• No telephoto digital camera.
• Punch-hole cutout on the internal show could be distracting.
• No built-in magnets for Qi2.2 charging.

extra shopping for decisions

Seven years of folding cellphone innovation have led Samsung to lastly embrace a wide-format design with its new Galaxy Z Fold 8. The compact, BlackBerry-esque cellphone unfolds right into a mini pill, with side ratios that really feel extra pure than its taller Fold 8 Extremely sibling. This is not the primary time we have seen a shorter, wider folding cellphone, however that is certainly the primary time it appeals to a wider viewers.

Additionally: The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is so good, I don’t see the point of flip phones any more

Samsung’s all-new type issue debuts amid mounting rumors of a palm-sized foldable iPhone Ultra, and is not freed from shortcomings. Nevertheless, the enjoyable, sensible design outweighs all weaknesses. Since its launch at Galaxy Unpacked, I’ve used the Fold 8 for 10 days, and unexpectedly, it hasn’t misplaced its appeal but. 

I am nonetheless amazed by how snug it’s to kind on the quilt display screen or how comfortably it suits my pocket. That is, in a method, the compact cellphone I have been ready for.

“The ability of the Fold within the palm of my hand”

I used to be skeptical in regards to the usability of a brief and vast cowl display screen, however I’ve discovered it to be the right mixture of novelty and practicality. In truth, the 5.5-inch AMOLED panel has been my go-to studying companion, due to its 10:16 side ratio.

From shopping in Chrome to studying within the Kindle or NYT app, I have never as soon as felt compelled to unfold my Fold 8 for higher readability. I’ve additionally been typing on it (with each palms) greater than anticipated. In contrast to flip telephones, you may see the dialog whereas typing your message. The keyboard takes up about half the display screen, however it leaves loads of room for unbothered messaging with out feeling cramped.

The snug in-hand really feel can also be made potential by the slim and light-weight design. As a matter of truth, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is Samsung’s lightest Z Fold cellphone at 201 grams (versus the 215g Fold 8 Extremely and 214g S26 Extremely). Plus, it’s simply 4.5mm thick when unfolded and 9.7mm when closed. It would not really feel any thicker than a daily slab cellphone. And that is not even the most effective half.

Its true uniqueness lies in its versatility. It unfolds right into a 7.6-inch mini pill with a 4:3 side ratio, which is extra pure in on a regular basis duties than conventional book-style foldables’ squarish 8-inch screens.

I open the Fold 8 once I need to watch video content material. All the things from YouTube movies to film watching in Netflix or Prime Video is best than different tall folding telephones. A 4:3 display screen means you get much less letterboxing (black borders on high and backside) when watching movies.

It is the vertical movies (TikTok, Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts) that require adjustment. Instagram downloads within the pill model, which pushes the like, remark, and share buttons to the black border on the best aspect (on each the quilt display screen and internal show) for higher reel watchability. Personally, I prefer it, however it may be an adjustment for anybody used to the cellular app UI. 

The massive canvas can also be nice for studying, however that punch-hole selfie digital camera is unexpectedly extra bothersome on this cellphone. It cuts off phrases on the best fringe of the display screen. You possibly can at all times rotate it so the digital camera is positioned on the aspect of your proper palm, however it typically interferes with the auto brightness. I want Samsung had positioned it within the nook or discovered a method so as to add an under-display digital camera.

It did enhance the multitasking expertise, nevertheless, with One UI 9 (based mostly on Android 17). It feels extra intuitive, pure and straightforward to make use of. The Fold 8 can run three apps aspect by aspect, however that is not supreme. I discovered myself multitasking extra typically 90:10 split-screen between two apps.

For example, I had Chrome (for analysis) and Google Docs (to kind) set aspect by aspect. When researching, I may simply maximize Chrome’s display screen area by sliding the center bar and pushing Docs to cowl (roughly) 10% of the display screen, and vice versa once I wished to kind. This was hardly as buttery easy on earlier variations. 

Additionally: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra vs. Motorola Razr Fold: Which premium foldable should you get?

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is completely different than different book-style foldables in a method that it would not drive you to regulate to its design quirks. As an alternative, it adapts to your utilization extra naturally.

The crease, hinge and sturdiness

Samsung makes use of a “Flex Titanium” expertise in its folding show construction, which helps with sturdiness, slimness and minimizing the crease. It combines a titanium-alloy movie with an enhanced titanium plate to strengthen the show and “refine the best way the system opens.”

All that is to say that the crease is unquestionably extra refined, and the cellphone pops open after a sure angle, supplying you with a extra pure unfolding expertise. Nevertheless, Samsung has eliminated Flex mode on the hinge, so you may’t prop up the Fold 8 like its Extremely sibling to observe movies. The Tent mode on its cowl display screen is a good substitute.

As for the crease, it has been minimized to an extent that you could’t really feel it when working your finger over it. You possibly can nonetheless spot it in some lighting conditions however it’s a non-issue and will not distract you from on-screen content material.

A good larger improve comes within the type of anti-reflective coating. Samsung claims that the reflectivity on the Fold 8’s internal display screen has been diminished by 50% (versus the Fold 7).

Additionally: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Z Flip 8: How Samsung’s two new foldables compare

It’s the improve I’ve wished because the Fold 6 days, and I am glad the Korean cellphone maker lastly listened. In sensible utilization, this implies the folding display screen is rather more legible in direct mild than its predecessor. I may navigate on Maps, see the digital camera viewfinder clearly, and browse within the Delhi solar with none points. It is also partly due to the upper brightness ranges (3,000 nits vs. 2,600 nits on the Fold 7).

Like final 12 months, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is rated IP48 for mud and water resistance. This implies it could actually survive freshwater submersion however is not immune to small mud particles like pocket lint. Whereas that is according to most foldable telephones, the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold and Honor Magic V6 provide a dust-tight design with their IP68 scores. I hope Samsung adopts it for its subsequent technology of Z collection telephones.

Push the cameras for the most effective outcomes

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 has one much less digital camera than the Fold 8 Extremely and a lower-resolution major sensor. It has a twin digital camera system consisting of a 50MP major digital camera and one other 50MP ultrawide angle sensor.

I am not a fan of Samsung’s default processing, however it has improved within the final 12 months, and there are methods to extract the most effective from what you may have. I took most of my pictures in 50MP mode, which supplies you extra particulars than the default mode.

Nevertheless, you miss out on sure options like the power so as to add a filter fashion, which is tough to know as a result of I would reasonably have these types utilized to a better decision photograph than 12MP photographs.

I additionally just like the wealthy distinction and particulars on ultrawide pictures. They appear higher than my Fold 7’s ultrawide photographs.  

As for movies, they are not sharp and get noisy when you zoom in in your scene. Each time I wished to zoom in on a topic in movies, I needed this cellphone had a telephoto digital camera. And this leads me to a different gripe – the digital camera place, once more.

The Fold 8’s cameras are situated in a vertical digital camera module, however I believe it’d have been higher to have a horizontal format (ultrawide on high of the principle digital camera) as a result of I saved getting my finger in 1x photographs. I’ve massive palms, and I am assuming folks with smaller palms will not need to readjust their grip so typically. Nevertheless, it bothered me sufficient to face out in my digital camera expertise.

Processor and battery

Samsung’s new wide-fold homes the identical chip that powers its Galaxy S26 Ultra and Fold 8 Ultra – the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy processor. It’s paired with 12GB of RAM for the 256GB and 512GB storage variants and 16GB of RAM with 1TB of storage. In my day-to-day utilization, the cellphone ran easily with no points in any respect.

Nevertheless, it tends to wrestle beneath sure situations, like gaming for half-hour or extra. Samsung says that it has reworked the internals to create more room for warmth dissipation, which ought to end in higher thermal administration. However the Fold 8 will get heat to the touch beneath sustained workloads. Aside from that, you will not discover any main misses right here. From multitasking to digital camera processing, all the things is easy and quick.

Additionally: I’ve been using the Galaxy Z Fold 8 for two weeks – these two accessories perfect the experience

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 additionally obtained a giant battery improve. It packs a 4,800mAh cell with help for 45-watt quick charging. This may not appear like a giant deal, however the Fold 7 had a 4,400mah battery capability and the brand new Z collection is the primary lineup of Samsung smartphones to characteristic high-density silicon-carbon anode batteries. In real-world utilization, it delivers an all-day battery life with out breaking a sweat.

In my testing interval, I’ve persistently used my Fold 8 to take calls, scroll by means of Reddit, Instagram, reply messages on WhatsApp, video name my niece, take pictures, and browse. I persistently obtained greater than eight hours of display screen time. This is not the Oppo Discover N6 or Honor Magic V6, however I did not need to cost it twice a day (like my Fold 7). And once you do must cost, it goes from 10% to 75% inside half-hour.

Additionally: Amazon will give you a $350 gift card when you buy a new Samsung phone – here’s what to know

Whereas the Galaxy Z Fold 8 helps 20-watt quick charging, it would not have built-in magnets. You will must buy a Qi2-compatible case, otherwise you’ll be left determining the right alignment on a wi-fi charger half of the time. For my part, the absence of magnets for one more 12 months is a giant miss. I do not need to smash Fold 8’s marvelous piece of engineering by slapping a case on it; it is a robust cellphone, constructed to face up to drops, and I would like so as to add magnetic equipment like a kickstand or energy financial institution on it with no need a case.

Options value mentioning

The brand new Samsung foldables run One UI 9 based mostly on Android 17 they usually have a number of new AI options value speaking about.

My FanCam

That is essentially the most enjoyable new AI characteristic. In the event you shoot a video the place your topic is with a number of different folks, you may select to trace them with AI to make it appear like the digital camera was following them. You may also alter the side ratio, however it should degrade the video high quality. Samsung suggests you’re taking 4K movies in the event you plan on utilizing My FanCam.

Now Nudge

It really works like Magic Cue for Google Pixel telephones. It suggests actions based mostly in your on-screen content material. For example, if somebody sends me a message asking for availability on a selected date, the Fold 8 will present a popup to open the Calendar. When you faucet on it, it pulls up the Calendar on half of the display screen. It sounds good in principle, however like Magic Cue, Now Nudge would not work on a regular basis.

Aside from these two options, I have never proactively used any of the generative AI stuff. I rarely use the AI Eraser in my pictures, however once I want it, Samsung does surprisingly effectively to detect, delete, and fill within the particulars. I principally use it to delete annoying parts in my selfies, like dustbins and signboards.  

Additionally: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra vs. Google Pixel Fold 10 Pro: You can’t lose, but here’s my surprise pick

Relating to different AI options, I want Samsung and Google would cease forcing use circumstances that do not exist to promote their unreliable AI. I am glad this cellphone would not want any of it to make a case for its $1,900 price ticket.

ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 is among the costliest folding telephones available on the market, however it is usually top-of-the-line mixture of enjoyable and practicality. At $1,900, I would count on my system to have a devoted digital camera for optical zoom and iron out the misses from earlier technology merchandise (like the shortage of Qi2.2 magnets). However regardless of this, it is easy to suggest. I have never had this a lot enjoyable utilizing a cellphone in a very long time.

Additionally: I went hands-on with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8, but it’s not the upgrade I expected

The brand new Samsung smartphone is constructed for most individuals. It combines flip pocketability and fold usability in a wider design that is supreme for video consumption — not only for studying. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 adapts to your utilization as a substitute of asking you to regulate to its design. It’s a refreshing tackle a comparatively new idea, and I am all for it.

In case your utilization includes studying, watching movies, and shopping the online – and you’ve got the price range for it — the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is the most effective folding cellphone on the market proper now.

Why the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 will get an Editors’ Alternative award

Its refreshing new design is each sensible and pocketable, and it feels just like the fold for everybody — not simply energy customers. Whereas it has its personal limitations, and its $1,900 price ticket is just not precisely what I would name “inexpensive”, the brand new Fold 8 redefines what you are able to do on a foldable cellphone.