Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra Review: Familiar Form, Better Everything
Samsung enters the Ultra foldable arena with upgraded displays, batteries, and cameras, though it retains the classic design and lacks an S Pen.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Samsung introduces the Z Fold 8 Ultra as its new flagship foldable device
- Features an improved triple rear camera, larger battery, and a peak brightness of 3,000 nits
- Lacks support for the S Pen stylus and the Privacy Display feature
- Carries a 100 dollar price increase over the previous model, launching at 2,100 dollars
Slapping the Ultra moniker onto Samsung's first foldable phone, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, doesn't quite mean it's a souped-up version of the regular Fold 8 in the way you might expect. While the standard Z Fold 8 is squat and wide, the Ultra version sticks to the thin outer screen and square inner panel format seen in previous generations. Even though it packs a substantially better triple rear camera system and a slightly larger battery, the absence of S Pen stylus support and Privacy Display means it isn't Ultra in the same manner as the Galaxy S26 Ultra.
However, putting it side by side with last year's Z Fold 7 reveals much more substantial upgrades. Samsung has refined the displays, battery life, charging speeds, cameras, chipset, and crease mechanics. While most of these improvements are merely iterative, taken as a whole package, the device proves quite impressive.
Samsung's decision to split its foldable lineup into standard and Ultra tiers this year highlights a strategic push to capture diverse consumer segments. The Ultra variant is positioned specifically for productivity-focused users who benefit from vertical screen real estate for multitasking, while the baseline model caters to media consumption. This segmentation serves as a crucial defensive maneuver against anticipated foldable offerings from Apple expected in the coming months.
When closed, the Z Fold 8 Ultra features a 6.5-inch cover screen that runs taller and skinnier than typical smartphones, while opening it reveals an 8-inch flexible display boasting a near-square aspect ratio. At first glance, distinguishing it from the Z Fold 7 is quite a challenge due to identical dimensions, shapes, and weights, save for a fractionally thinner 4.1mm profile when unfolded. Camera placements remain identical, meaning the new color lineup consisting of dark grey, cream, purple, and green serves as the primary visual differentiator.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Samsung argues that whereas the regular Z Fold 8 targets content consumption, the taller Ultra proves far superior for productivity tasks. The extra vertical workspace eases the burden of cross-referencing documents or managing multiple email inboxes. Personally, the reviewer leans toward utilizing the massive inner screen for video viewing, making the standard Z Fold 8 a preferred choice, yet the utility of the larger canvas remains undeniable. In fact, writing two full food newsletter articles across multiple flights using the Z Fold 8 Ultra's on-screen keyboard demonstrates a capability that would remain unthinkable on a standard phone or even the smaller Z Fold 8.
Both display panels shine brighter than their predecessors, now hitting a peak brightness of 3,000 nits for vastly improved outdoor legibility. The inner screen further benefits from a novel anti-reflective coating alongside a modest resolution bump reaching 2256 x 2504 pixels.
Source: The Verge
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