This year, Samsung launched not one, but two Z Fold devices: the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra and the shorter, fatter non-Ultra Z Fold8. In this review, we’ll be looking at the former and listing some of the differences between it and its predecessor.
What Am I Looking At?
There really isn’t a whole lot that has changed since last year’s Z Fold7. The Z Fold8, in this case, is a near carbon copy of its predecessor, save perhaps for some year-on-year updates.
It is a good thing that where a company learns from its mistakes, it also learns from what it does right. For the Z Fold8, the lesson here is not to deviate from a winning formula; same thin chassis, both folded and unfolded. Easy to hold and handle (to a degree), and the latest and greatest internal specifications, as far as the form factor could allow. Oh, and there’s the weight of it, which has also been retained at 215g.
To the latter point, it’s running the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen5 SoC, 12GB RAM, and a 4,800mAh battery to power it all. The main camera island is a triple camera setup, comprising a 200MP wide, 50MP ultrawide, and a 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom. The selfie cameras, both on the cover and main display, are 10MP shooters.
Again, the displays are more or less the same as its predecessor: same 8-inch main albeit with a higher pixel density, same 6.5-inch cover display, and same Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X panel. Both, by the way, are protected by Gorilla Glass Ceramic 3. Oh, and there’s also Samsung’s Flex Titanium technology that’s applied over its OLED panel that is supposed to increase the strength of the main display.
What’s Good About It?
Underneath the hood, the main change with the Z Fold8 Ultra is the processor, which is the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen5. It’s definitely a big jump from the 8 Elite that powered last year’s Z Fold7. I don’t think I need to elaborate too much on the chip, and I’ll redirect you to my review of the S26 Ultra that I reviewed not too long ago. Bottom line here: it’s good, but on a side note, the phone couldn’t run any of the UL benchmarks that are available on Android.
Apps certainly snap to attention with every touch, motions on both the cover and main display feel fluid, and if it matters to you, the crease in the middle of the main display is barely noticeable, compared to the last foldable I reviewed, which was the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold. Sweet Jeebus, you could actually feel the ridges when you ran your fingers through it.
Perhaps one of the best things about the Z Fold8 Ultra, in my opinion, is that the foldable isn’t loaded with some of Samsung’s latest features, such as the Privacy Display. I’m not saying it’s a bad feature, but it’s quite apparent that it still requires additional tweaking and perhaps a new generational update to become fully functioning. Assuming Samsung will continue the trend by then.
Still on the subject of the display, while I didn’t personally review the previous foldable, I can say that the colour gamut on the Z Fold8 UItra looks punchier.
Battery life is…decent, providing me with a little more than two days plus change before dwindling down to single-digit battery life. On a battery loop test – brightness at 40%, volume at the same level, and a Full HD video on repeat – I’m looking more than 15 hours of playback on average. That playback time also repeats itself on YouTube and Netflix, the latter through a binge of several episodes across multiple seasons.
Another plus point, in my books at least, is the fingerprint scanner that’s built into the power button. Granted, it’s a sort of ancient piece of technology, but it is a feature that I have long since adored when Sony began using it with its Xperia line (and still do), all those years ago.
Camera And Sample Images
The main camera on the Z Fold8 Ultra isn’t the greatest but at the very least, it still retains that Samsung photography DNA. I use the 200MP sensor on occasion, but for the most part, I’m accessing it to do a quick shoot of a product or an interesting subject.
On the subject of interesting subjects, landscape photography with the Z Fold8 Ultra feels good, but low-light scenarios are hit or miss. Given the limitations of a telephoto lens as well, this isn’t a phone I would recommend for those distant shots.
Having said that, the 200MP shooter does pull its weight when it comes to capturing detailed shot, insofar as there is ample light.
What’s The Catch?
Transitioning between the cover display and main display isn’t smooth, but to be fair to the Z Fold8 Ultra, it’s not an issue that is exclusive to it. Let me explain: Across the foldables that I have reviewed, they all seem to suffer from an issue where whatever you’re viewing on the cover display doesn’t transform or accommodate the extra screen real estate immediately.
With a handful of apps, they sometimes get borked and present a blank screen instead of all the details that usually accompany a wide screen. Speakers on the Z Fold8 Ultra are one-sided, and by that, I mean that the stereo speakers are setup on just one half of the foldable. In this case, it’s the left half of the foldable, or the bottom if you’re holding it in “landscape” mode.
This makes for a really imbalanced listening experience, especially if you’re watching videos out in the open and without any earphones. On a sidebar, please don’t be inconsiderate and use your personal audio devices (read: headphones or TWS earbuds) if you’re conducting said activity or listening to music out in public. Getting back on the subject, it’s also not the loudest pair of speakers I’ve heard from a foldable. Honestly, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold actually performs better in this aspect, but I’m going to chalk this up to physics and the physical limitations of having a device this thin. That’s also another issue I have with the phone: it’s chassis. Because it’s so thin, unfolding the main display feels extra difficult, simply because I can’t get any purchase from the sides. Worse still is that this issue comes with the phone being naked, as in without any cover.
On a related note, I am not a fan of the main camera island. It is just as thick as the phone folded, and without a cover, placing it on a hard surface subjects it to a terrible balancing act, and when I say terrible, I mean absolutely comical.
Still on the subject of cameras, I think that Samsung could’ve shifted the main display’s selfie camera to the edge of the display, rather than maintaining its positioning in the middle of the right display. Because the undercarriage of the panel doesn’t hide it anymore, watching any video on it via the “landscape” orientation makes it stand out, and it’s really stark.
Competition
Google Pixel Pro 11 Fold
The Pixel Pro 11 Fold just launched this year, and while it isn’t a class leader like Samsung, the foldable is still a flagship in competition with the Korean brand. Beneath the hood, the phone is powered by the new Tensor G6 SoC, 16GB RAM, up to 512GB internal storage, and a 4,750mAh battery. The cover display is 6.5-inches with Super Actua OLED, while the main display measures 8-inches and uses the same OLED panel.
Price-wise, the phone retails from RM7,999.
Should I Buy It?
As an intergenerational upgrade from the Z Fold7, I would simply tell you to hold off on transitioning to the Z Fold8 Ultra. Truth be told, there’s not a whole lot that you’re missing out on here.
Of course, if you’re coming from an older generation – anything from the Z Fold3 to the Z Fold6 – then you’re definitely going to feel the improvements, from overall performance to the much thinner and lighter form factor.
The major issue here is, and has always been, the price tag of the Z Fold8 Ultra. With a starting price close to RM8,000, the lack of S Pen support or any kind of stylus, and unless you have deep pockets or loads of disposable income, this isn’t something you’d purchase on the fly. But, if that isn’t enough to deter you, then please, have at this.
@lowyatnet Take a closer look at both the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 and Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra. Do look forward to our reviews, coming soon to our website at Lowyat.NET. Which Galaxy Z Fold8 model is your favourite? #SamsungGalaxyZFold8 #GalaxyZFold8Ultra #SamsungMalaysia #GalaxyFoldables #Tech
