Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 review: I spent weeks testing it, and I don’t want to put this beauty down
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is the most exciting phone Samsung has made in years. It's pricey and makes a deep compromise, but what it offers is plenty of utilitarian charm, reliability, and longevity in a versatile shell.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 has been the most enjoyable foldable phone I've ever used, and I've spent weeks testing it. The redesigned 5.5-inch cover screen and 7.6-inch inner panel, with their 10:16 and 4:3 aspect ratios, respectively, have addressed two key issues - one-handed typing and full-screen viewing. Powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chip, the phone handles everything from multitasking to gaming effortlessly.
However, prolonged use does cause the thin body to shed some performance to maintain its temperature.
The software remains top-notch with Android 17 and One UI 9, featuring seven years of updates, desktop-grade DeX, and split-screen multitasking that sets it apart from the competition. Despite being an expensive piece of engineering, priced at $1,899, it resonates with people who prioritize pocketability and a dual-screen workflow above all else.
Compared to previous foldable Samsung models, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 deviates from its tall, narrow silhouette by adopting a wider, passport-style design. Measuring 123.9 x 81.9 x 9.7 mm when closed and thinning down to 4.5 mm at 123.9 x 161.4 mm when open, it strikes a balance between compactness and usability. The weight distribution is evenly balanced thanks to the split battery cells across the hinge, ensuring a comfortable hand feel even when holding it open for extended periods.
One of the most significant improvements for me has been the one-handed use. On the closed state, the wide and familiar width allows for easy thumb reach, making it a breeze to reply to texts, scroll feeds, or perform a quick search. The hinge mechanism, Samsung's Flex Titanium dual-rail design, provides a smooth and even resistance, holding various angles between 30 and 140 degrees. This makes Flex Mode more dependable and useful for different viewing positions like propping it on a tray table or standing it tent-style.
Although the display crease is slightly less noticeable than on other Samsung foldables, it still persists to some extent when dragging fingers vertically across the fold during a swipe. However, this inconvenience is worth it for the otherwise flat panel display during typical usage like scrolling or swiping through content.
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