Galaxy Z Fold 8 Review: Maybe we don't need to wait for the foldable iPhone?
Samsung launched the Galaxy Z Fold 8, explicitly stating it was developed in response to the upcoming foldable iPhone. We tested the device to see if it truly is the ultimate foldable or just another niche product.
Usually, companies do not like to mention the names of competitors. However, the launch of the Fold 8 was different: Samsung explicitly told us that it decided to launch its new device after receiving indications that Apple is heading in this direction with the iPhone Ultra or a foldable iPhone. We tested the Galaxy Z Fold 8 to see if Samsung is up to the task of creating the ultimate foldable device, or if it remains a niche product.
Light, thin and usable with one hand
Samsung has been working on foldables for 7 years, and it shows. The Fold 8 comes with a 5.5-inch external screen, a thin body, and thoughtful dimensions. The width requires an adjustment period, but eventually, you realize you can reach all edges of the screen with one hand—a privilege lost with the growth of modern smartphone screens.
However, there is a significant design flaw: the camera array causes the device to wobble excessively when placed on a table without a case. This is annoying when trying to reply to messages or scroll through social media without picking up the phone. Additionally, the device's narrowness often leads to fingers accidentally entering the frame while shooting.
What's inside?
The external screen is independent; I never felt forced to open the device for basic tasks. The 7.6-inch internal display with up to 3000 nits of brightness looks great, though it almost always requires two hands to operate. Samsung has managed to reduce the visibility of the hinge crease, although it remains noticeable to sharp eyes.
The main issue is app optimization. Many apps still display aggressive black margins, which looks unprofessional for a device of this caliber. We hope Apple will pay more attention to this.
Performance and battery
Equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, the Fold 8 performs flawlessly, handling multitasking and demanding tasks with ease. In Geekbench tests, the new Fold outperformed the iPhone 17 Pro in multi-core performance.
The cameras, unfortunately, were a letdown. Results are merely "okay," with photos often appearing grainy even in decent lighting, and noise levels higher than expected from a flagship. On the bright side, battery life is a huge achievement. The device easily lasts a full day of heavy use, reaching up to 7.5 hours of screen time.
The million-dollar question
Who is this for? The internal screen is great for media, but multitasking remains questionable: typing on a split keyboard is uncomfortable. Foldables with large internal screens will likely remain a niche, whereas the Flip format seems more logical.
Samsung has made a huge gamble by tying this device's life to the upcoming foldable iPhone. If Apple delivers better optimization and a more aggressive price, Samsung could face a public setback. Time will tell if this device will be remembered or if it will fade away like many other experiments.
