Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 marks a shift in foldable phone design, adopting a shorter, wider "squat" shape that the company is positioning as the new standard rather than a niche variant. The Verge's review finds the phone surprisingly comfortable and natural to use despite being the shortest and widest foldable the reviewer has tested, with rumours suggesting Apple's rumoured first foldable iPhone, expected in September, may follow a similar design direction.

The device features a 5.5-inch outer display with a 10:16 aspect ratio, roughly the dimensions of a passport, and a 7.6-inch inner screen with a 4:3 ratio matching most iPads, which the reviewer says works better for reading and watching video than previous Z Fold models. However, the review notes some drawbacks, including occasional app compatibility issues with the outer screen and a reduction from three cameras last year to two this year, a notable downgrade given the phone's $1,899 price tag. The Verge scored the device 8 out of 10, praising its comfort, display, battery life and reduced weight, while criticising the lack of a telephoto lens and the continued absence of an IP68 water-resistance rating.