Samsung’s new Ultra foldable is impressive, but I’d pay close attention to this model

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ZDNET’s key takeaways

• Samsung launched three foldable telephones at its Unpacked occasion in London.
• Its first ‘Extremely’ foldable, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Extremely, is a powerful gadget. 
• Nevertheless, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 has a singular type issue that is very compelling.

Now that Samsung Unpacked is over and all of the telephones have been introduced, you might be clamoring to get your preorder in for the all-new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. It’s, in any case, the primary Samsung foldable to bear the “Extremely” moniker. 

Additionally: Everything announced at Samsung Unpacked 2026: New foldables, smartwatches, more

However you would possibly need to maintain on for a second and take a look at the Samsung Galaxy Fold 8, too. Sure, the Fold 8 Extremely has so much going for it, however the Fold 8 makes a powerful argument for itself, as nicely. A part of that’s as a result of Samsung is aware of what’s coming down the pipeline: a foldable iPhone — a product that would disrupt the market its traditionally dominated. 

Due to that, Samsung gave the Z Fold 8 some significantly compelling design options. Listed below are among the factors you would possibly need to contemplate earlier than dropping a severe chunk of change on the Extremely mannequin. 

The value is true

In the beginning, the Samsung Galaxy Fold 8 begins at $1,899, which is a full $200 lower than its extremely sibling. The variations between the 2 embody a lacking 10MP telephoto digital camera, a smaller 50MP major digital camera, 200 mAh of battery capability, and a smaller internal and canopy display. Of these compromises, I assumed the decreased display dimension can be the deal breaker, however after spending a while with the cellphone, I not assume that is the case.

We’re dwelling in a time the place smartphone costs are both going up, they’re staying the identical with fewer significant upgrades, or each. Saving a few benjamins nowadays can go a good distance towards preserving your already strained price range. 

Type meets perform

One in all my criticisms of book-style foldables is the truth that the sq. type issue is not nice for issues like content material consumption. They can be unwieldy to carry. The Fold 8 nearly eliminates that argument by turning itself right into a 4:3 pill while you open it. It is a smaller pill, for certain, but it surely’s an precise pill type issue, not an oblong peg shoved right into a sq. gap.

Additionally: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra vs. Z Fold 7: After a year of usage, I’m ready to upgrade

On paper, this does not sound like a giant deal. However, as soon as I acquired the cellphone in my hand, it clicked. The duvet display is sweet as a result of you’ll be able to entry a lot of it with only one hand. I’ve gotten used to the finger gymnastics essential to navigate a taller cellphone with one hand, however the squat display of the Galaxy 8 Fold modifications all that.   

Whereas the cellphone is shorter, it is also wider which can be higher for studying; that’s, in any case a lot of what we do on our telephones. It stays to be seen which apps reply to that 10:16 facet ratio, nevertheless. The apps put in on the telephones on the hands-on session all regarded high-quality, however there are thousands and thousands of others that will not; your mileage might fluctuate. 

Solely two cameras?

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 doesn’t have a telephoto digital camera, which is a disgrace. Between an ultrawide digital camera and a telephoto, I would like a telephoto each time. As a guardian, I like taking photographs of my youngsters doing child issues, and generally these issues are on a sports activities subject or a stage, so I would like to have the ability to zoom in additional. 

Some fast testing of the 50-megapixel major digital camera means that even as much as 10x, zoom is okay. I wasn’t in a position to vet these outcomes on a bigger laptop display, however on the very least, the photographs are what I wish to name “social media good” since that is in all probability the place they will find yourself anyway. 

Ultimiately, the lacking telephoto lens will not be actually that a lot of a difficulty. I’ve examined the 10MP digital camera on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Extremely and it positively falls into the “okay, however not nice” class. Whereas it is often higher to have it and never want it, the proof means that not having it is going to be okay. 

Additionally: I tried Samsung’s new wide Galaxy Z Fold 8, and it’s my favorite product of Unpacked 2026

It might have been good if Samsung packed within the 200-megapixel shooter from the Extremely into this cellphone, however then once more, this cellphone will not be an Extremely. Maybe Samsung sees the 200-megapixel sensor as an extremely characteristic. However when all is alleged and performed, I think it will be okay to reside with out the digital camera completely.

The underside line: it is the higher purchase

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 sparks a real curiosity in me that, I will be sincere, lots of telephones don’t summon. The shape issue feels very retro in a approach that is arduous to place my finger on. 

What I can say is that if this cellphone didn’t unfold, it could be a totally totally different story; the duvet display is simply too squat for me to make use of full time. It is not misplaced on me that one of many standards I exploit to evaluate a foldable is how a lot I can or need to use it when it is closed. That is a little bit regarding to me and solely a correct evaluation interval will exhibit whether or not that opinion holds up.

What I can say for now’s that the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 is a beautiful cellphone, and it is the one I am most keen to check out. However within the meantime, I feel that this cellphone is the sleeper hit that Samsung produced and I actually hope that it succeeds, regardless of not being “Extremely.”