For years, foldable phones have been defined by a narrow, tall form factor when closed, unfolding into a nearly square inner screen. Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold series has been the flagship of this approach. But with the Galaxy Z Fold 8, Samsung is breaking that mold entirely, adopting a wider, shorter design that feels more like a regular smartphone when closed and opens to a 4:3 inner display reminiscent of a tablet or an iPad.

The move is bold and, after a week with the device, it becomes clear that Samsung is betting the future of foldables on this new shape. The company is calling it simply the Z Fold 8, positioning it not as an experimental oddity but as the new normal. Rumor has it that Apple is taking a similar approach with its first foldable iPhone, expected to launch later this year, which lends credibility to this direction.

Design and Build

The most immediate change is the outer screen. At 5.5 inches, it is significantly shorter and wider than previous Z Folds. The aspect ratio is 10:16, almost exactly the same as a standard passport. When closed, it looks stubby compared to typical slab phones, but the surprise is how quickly that feeling fades. Within hours, it begins to feel natural—the reduced height makes one-handed use easier, and the extra width makes two-handed typing more comfortable, reminiscent of classic BlackBerry keyboards. Reaching the top of the screen is easier than on any tall phone, and the phone’s overall footprint is compact enough to slide into small pockets.

The phone weighs just 201 grams, making it the lightest Z Fold ever. At 9.7mm thick when closed, it is only slightly thicker than a typical flagship like the iPhone 17 Pro. The slim profile does not compromise build quality; the phone uses titanium-infused layers under the display to reduce the crease, which is now barely visible or feelable. The hinge remains smooth and sturdy, and the overall design language is sleek and minimalist, with a subtle purple color option (lavender) and an online-exclusive pistachio that is more of a gray-green.

One notable omission is the lack of an IP68 rating. The Z Fold 8 only carries IP48 protection, meaning it can withstand submersion in water but not dust ingress beyond 1mm particles. This is a step behind rivals like Google’s Pixel Fold 10 and Oppo’s Find N6, which offer full IP68. Samsung says the phone is otherwise more durable thanks to the titanium layers, but dust resistance remains a concern for outdoor use.

Display and Usability

Open the Z Fold 8 and you are greeted by a 7.6-inch inner display with a 4:3 aspect ratio. This is a significant departure from the nearly square inner screens of past foldables. The 4:3 ratio is more natural for reading books, browsing the web, and especially watching video content. Movies and TV shows fill more of the screen with less letterboxing, and holding the phone in portrait orientation gives a convincing book-like experience. The selfie camera cutout on the inner display is placed discreetly and rarely interferes with content.

The outer screen, while short, works well for most apps. Occasionally, some applications fail to render correctly—Instagram once left a white bar on the right side, and the Withings app compressed content. Even Samsung’s own Quick Settings panel requires scrolling to reach the bottom. These are minor annoyances, but they hint that Android is not fully optimized for such dimensions. Still, the vast majority of apps work fine, and the extra width is a boon for split-screen multitasking, though the shorter height means less vertical space for each app.

Battery and Charging

Samsung has finally adopted silicon-carbon battery technology, which is more energy-dense than traditional lithium-ion. The Z Fold 8 packs a 4,800mAh cell, the largest in any Z Fold except the Ultra. In daily use, this translates to excellent endurance: after a full day of heavy usage, the battery often ends the evening with around 40% remaining. Samsung has implemented safeguards to prevent faster degradation common in silicon-carbon batteries, but long-term performance remains to be seen.

Charging speeds are adequate by US standards: 45W wired and 20W wireless. That is slower than many Chinese rivals but competitive against iPhones and Pixels. The phone lacks built-in magnets for Qi2 wireless charging, though it works with Qi2 cases. This omission helps keep the phone thin and light, but it is a minor inconvenience for users with magnetic accessories.

Camera System

The camera setup is one of the most controversial changes. Samsung has reduced the rear cameras from three to two, eliminating the telephoto lens entirely. The main camera is a 50-megapixel shooter with a smaller sensor and narrower aperture than last year’s model. The ultrawide is a new 50-megapixel sensor that performs remarkably well, matching the main camera in quality in most lighting conditions.

In practice, photos are decent but not flagship-level. Daylight shots have vivid colors and good dynamic range, though processing can struggle with fast-moving subjects—cats and children often appear blurry. Low-light performance is acceptable for static scenes, but detail suffers compared to rivals like the Pixel Fold 10 or iPhone 17 Pro. The lack of a telephoto means lossy digital zoom beyond 2x, which is a significant drawback at the price point.

The front-facing cameras are standard: a 10-megapixel selfie camera on the outer screen and a 4-megapixel under-display camera on the inner screen. Both are serviceable for video calls but not for photography.

Software and AI Features

The Z Fold 8 runs Android with Samsung’s One UI 6.1, which includes several new AI features. Google’s Gemini Intelligence Task Automation can perform multi-step actions based on context, but it was not available in the UK during testing. Another feature, My FanCam, uses AI to crop video to focus on a specific person in a frame. Now Nudge is a contextual action suggestion tool that works in split-screen; for example, if you have a link to an event in a messaging app, it can suggest adding it to the calendar. This requires Samsung Keyboard and specific apps, so its utility is limited.

Overall, the software is polished and the multitasking experience is smooth, with app continuity between the two screens working seamlessly. Samsung’s DeX mode is also available for desktop-like productivity when connected to an external monitor.

Comparison to the Z Fold 8 Ultra

Samsung released two foldables this year: the Z Fold 8 and the Z Fold 8 Ultra. The Ultra retains the taller, thinner shape of previous generations, with a 6.5-inch outer display and an 8-inch inner screen that is nearly square. The Ultra is better for multitasking and productivity, with more vertical space for split-screen apps. But the Z Fold 8 is better for content consumption—watching video and reading—and feels more natural as a daily driver for most users.

The Ultra also packs a larger battery (5,200mAh) and a triple-camera setup including a telephoto, but it is heavier and thicker. Samsung seems to be targeting two different audiences: the Ultra for power users and the standard Z Fold 8 for mainstream adopters who want a pocketable device that also serves as a mini-tablet.

The foldable market is on the cusp of a major shift, with Apple’s entry expected to either legitimize the category or prove its niche appeal. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 makes a compelling argument that the wider design is the future. It is comfortable, light, and practical for the two things most people want from a foldable: a better video and reading experience. The lack of a telephoto and IP68 rating are disappointments, but they do not overshadow the overall achievement. At $1,900, it remains a luxury product, but it feels like a genuine step forward in foldable evolution.

Source: The Verge News