Samsung’s Z Fold 8 Ultra is more of the same, but better than ever
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is a modest but wide-ranging upgrade over last year’s Fold 7, improving the displays, battery, charging, cameras, chipset and screen crease. The reviewer says it does not fully justify the “Ultra” label, but considers it Samsung’s most capable foldable yet, particularly for productivity tasks on its larger inner display.
The phone costs $2,100, $100 more than its predecessor, and earns an 8/10 review score. It has a 6.5-inch outer screen and an 8-inch near-square folding display, both reaching 3,000 nits of peak brightness; the inner display also gains an anti-reflective coating. Positives include improved triple rear cameras, strong battery life and a thin, light design, while drawbacks include IP48 protection, no S Pen support, no Privacy Display and the high price.
In short
- A comprehensive, though mostly iterative, Fold 7 upgrade.
- Strong cameras, battery and brighter displays improve everyday use.
- The $2,100 price and limited “Ultra” features remain concerns.
Explained simply
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold range is a line of phones that open like a book, giving users a standard outer screen and a larger screen inside. The design aims to combine a phone with some of the roomier screen space of a tablet, which can help with work and other tasks.
Samsung is a major South Korean electronics company and one of the leading makers of smartphones. Its foldable phones compete in a market where manufacturers are trying to make folding screens more practical and durable, while keeping the devices easy to carry.
The “Ultra” name is used for Samsung’s top-end products, so it signals a premium device and raises expectations. Foldables also tend to cost more than conventional phones, making their usefulness and reliability important to buyers weighing whether the larger screen is worth the extra expense.