Pros
- Stunning and convenient design
- Great AI-driven photo features
- Takes great photos
- Virtually invisible crease
Cons
- Feels delicate, only IP48 rating
- No built-in MagSafe charging (works with cases)
- No telephoto camera
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 foldable phone isn’t a massive step-up from the Galaxy Z Fold 7, which I reviewed last year, when it comes to functionality. It’s actually a downgrade in specs compared to the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, which is the model that’s a true step-up from the Galaxy Z Fold 7. But it comes down to look because the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is just about the nicest looking foldable phone on the market today. Not only does it come on lovely colours, it offers a smaller, more compact form factor than the traditional bar-shaped foldable or standard phone. It’s both powerful and good-looking, so it’s no wonder it has Android fans excited.
The Design: Small and Downright Adorable
About the size of a passport when folded, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 sits between a traditional foldable and a flip phone. I absolutely adore the design. It truly is a Goldilocks model: not too big, not too small. It’s also the lightest model in the line. Available in lovely Lavendar, Graphite, and Cream (plus Pistachio online), the feminine flare is a nice touch. The phone feels particularly delicate, though, especially with only an IP48 rating that doesn’t offer strong protection against dust. I’d highly recommend getting a fitted case.
I have historically found that foldables that are taller and narrower are awkward to use when folded. But the 5.5-inch (1,972 x 1,248 FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2x) outer screen of this phone is generally comfortable to use, even if everything feels a tad miniature and the wider screen is tougher to hold one-handed.
Unfold it to reveal the 7.6-inch 1,848 x 2,448 QXGA+ Dynamic AMOLED 2x screen, which is ideal for capturing content, watching videos, gaming, surfing websites, and more. The size also makes it comfortable for typing using both thumbs.
The crease opens nicely: it’s barely noticeable. One issue that remains with this phone, however, is that unless you place it face down, it wobbles because the camera lenses protrude so far out the back. That’s actually more annoying than you might think, and more of a reason to get both a case and screen protector for the outer screen since you’ll want to place it face down most of the time.
Usability: It’s Both a Phone and a Mini Tablet
One thing I’d note is that because the outer screen is smaller, the text is smaller, too (unless you adjust the font). So, far-sighted individuals might have trouble using it without wearing glasses. As a near-sighted person, however, it’s perfect for me.
That said, while typing specifically is comfortable with the inner screen, it’s a bit challenging with the outer one. You can’t really get a nice, balanced grip, especially if you have big hands or long fingers. It doesn’t feel as natural as it does with a taller and narrower traditional phone. The good news is that you always have the option to open the phone and use it like a mini tablet, or leverage audio dictation or Gemini instead of physically typing. But if you’re composing messages or writing a social post, you may find opening it easier for using two hands. There’s also the option to open it and re-orient to an upright position so it’s slightly taller and narrower if you find that more comfortable.
Entertainment: Your Window Into Fun
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is screaming for content consumption and creation. It has a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor and comes in 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB storage options with 12GB or 16GB RAM (latter for the 1TB version).
I watched a few videos from sources like Netflix and YouTube, and they look crisp and clear. The images have depth with natural colours without being blown out. I used it to watch some shows on the long plane ride to Berlin for IFA 2026, both with the phone open and lying flat (a kickstand case would be perfect for this purpose) or held in hand, and tented to watch on the smaller front screen, upright and hands-free.
Audibly, it has powerful speakers: for such a small device, it can get pretty loud. Audio sounds a bit hollow with some content, however, like a YouTube TV show trailer I watched for the MGM+ series American Hostage. You may notice some distortion at higher levels. But I watched several episodes of the show Reacher while on route to Berlin, paired with the Sennheiser Momentum 5 Wireless headphones, and it was pleasant.
I’m not a gamer, but I enlisted my son’s help, asking him to play some games. He queued up Clash Royale and relayed that he loved being able to see more of the world on the larger screen than he would on his small iPhone screen. Since both screens boast a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, his gaming experience was smooth and lag-free. Bottom line: no complaints.
The phone has a 4,800 mAh battery and supports 45W wired and 20W wireless charging with compatible chargers. Battery life was decent in my tests, the phone lasting 2-3 days per charge with light usage.
An AI-Powered Photo Experience
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 has a 50MP ultra-wide and 50MP wide camera along with a 10MP front camera and 10MP cover camera. You get up to 10x digital zoom. The phone offers improved Nightography and all the Galaxy AI intelligence features that I absolutely loved using with the Galaxy S26 Ultra. (Read more about them in that review).
In this photo of trees taken with both the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 and iPhone 17 Pro, the Galaxy image yields a lusher green hue with slightly more detail and a sense of realism.
There’s similar results with these images of a creek, the rocks artificially highlighted in the iPhone image while the Galaxy photo has more depth and looks more natural.
Overall, camera performance is strong, photos perfect for social sharing. But a standout feature is called My FanCam. With this feature, you can take a video with many people milling about, then hone-in on the one person you want to follow, track them, and save that as a different video with a more focused perspective. Think recording a dance recital with kids on stage (provided you’re close enough for facial recognition and there aren’t dozens of kids) then highlighting just your kid to follow them. It’s similar to active tracking in gimbal cameras, but the idea is to take one video then be able to pull out different perspectives for immediate social posting without needing manual edits.
I tried My FanCam by recording my son and partner walking around Fan Expo Canada 2026. I first chose my partner to create a social-worthy photo that centered on him, then created a second video focused on my son instead. While this is just a simple example, I can see a lot of creative ways this feature could be used.
Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra
Wondering if you should get the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 or the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra? That depends on your needs, priorities, and preferences.
The dimensions are the biggest physical difference between the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Fold 8 Ultra, with the Ultra employing a form factor closer to the Galaxy Z Fold 7. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is also Samsung’s thinnest foldable phone to date, while the Galaxy Z Fold 8, as mentioned, has the distinction of being the lightest. Under the hood, there are a few differences as well.
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra has better cameras with a 200MP lens, ultra-wide 3x optical zoom, and a telephoto camera. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra also has a larger 5,000 mAh battery and its screens are higher resolution. They both have the same processor and come with the same RAM options and storage capacities.
So, you’re getting slightly enhanced specs with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. But by and large, the two phones offer the same experiences when it comes to features, functions, AI photo editing, intelligence, and more. So, your decision will come down to form factor, photography needs, battery, and budget.
Should You Buy the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8?
As with any foldable phone, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 does not come cheap, setting you back at least $2,500 with taxes. But if you’re considering buying a foldable phone in the first place, that means you’re already planning to invest a lot. And this phone is a good option for Android users.
The form factor is suitable for just about anyone, affording a pleasurable experience both with the outer and inner screen. It takes some getting used to the new size, but you’ll love it in no time.
That said, if you want something with a more traditional bar design, and you’re willing to spend a bit more, opt for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra instead.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 starts at $2,399.99 for the 256GB version, while the 512GB is $2,680 and the 1TB $3,240. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra starts at $2,700.