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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra Review So Far
Samsung has unveiled the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra alongside the standard Fold 8 and Flip 8, introducing a new premium tier to its foldable line at a starting price of $2,099. IGN's early hands-on impressions suggest the device looks and feels almost identical to last year's Z Fold 7, with the "Ultra" branding seemingly justified more by the higher price and a handful of internal upgrades than by any dramatic redesign, raising questions about whether the phone is worth the extra cost.
Key changes include a 5,000mAh battery matching the Galaxy S26 Ultra, a marginal 0.1mm reduction in thickness (4.1mm unfolded, 8.9mm folded), and a new titanium alloy film beneath the display for added durability. The screens remain largely the same size as before, though the unfolded display's crease is reportedly less noticeable and its resolution slightly improved. The rear camera sees the biggest change, with the ultrawide lens jumping from 12MP to 50MP alongside the existing 200MP main sensor, while the phone runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chipset. The reviewer is continuing to test the device ahead of a fuller verdict.
In short
- Samsung launches Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, Fold 8 and Flip 8 at $2,099 starting price
- Nearly identical to Z Fold 7 in design, but slimmer, sturdier and better-cameraed
- Full review still pending; battery, crease and camera are key upgrades so far
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The Z Fold 8 Ultra's upgrades represent meaningful improvements for power users despite the evolutionary design. The 5,000mAh battery significantly enhances daily endurance, the new titanium alloy film materially improves durability against the foldable display's known weakness, the 50MP ultrawide camera provides genuinely improved imaging capability, and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 delivers substantial performance gains. When considered collectively alongside the manufacturing complexity of foldables, these improvements justify a premium tier, with the higher price reflecting legitimate technological advancement.
The case against
The Z Fold 8 Ultra's £2,099 premium appears primarily justified by pricing strategy rather than practical value when the external design and core experience remain nearly unchanged from its predecessor. A 0.1mm thickness reduction is imperceptible to users, screen improvements are marginal, and whilst the camera upgrade is welcome, the standard Fold 8 already includes flagship internals. Samsung risks exploiting brand positioning and consumer psychology rather than delivering tangible differentiation, leaving customers questioning whether they're paying for genuine innovation or simply for the 'Ultra' designation.
Explained simply
Foldable phones are smartphones with screens that fold in half, allowing users to carry a compact device that unfolds to a larger tablet-sized display. Samsung pioneered this technology and dominates the foldable phone market, which remains a small niche within the broader smartphone industry.
The Galaxy Z Fold is Samsung's flagship foldable line, positioned at the extreme premium end of the smartphone market. It serves consumers seeking the latest experimental technology who are willing to pay significantly more than they would for a conventional phone.
Samsung has now expanded the Z Fold range with a new Ultra-branded model positioned as a premium tier above the standard version. This reflects the broader smartphone industry trend of segmenting flagship products into multiple tiers at different price points within the luxury market.