Samsung Refines its Foldables with Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, Fold 8, and Flip 8

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra remains Samsung’s showcase device. It’s immediately noticeable just how much thinner it has become once I got my hands on the device. Measuring only 4.1mm when unfolded, the Fold 8 Ultra feels significantly closer to using a conventional smartphone than previous generations. Samsung also redesigned the hinge, making it noticeably easier to unfold one-handed during my hands-on session.

Opening the device reveals an expansive 8-inch AMOLED display capable of reaching 3,000 nits of brightness, paired with a larger 6.5-inch cover display. Under the lighting at my demo session, visibility remained excellent, and the crease continues to become less distracting with each generation. In fact, I almost forgot to analyze the crease to begin with because it’s so minimal.

Samsung continues positioning the Fold as the multitasking device in its lineup. Running multiple applications side by side felt fluid, with drag-and-drop interactions remaining one of the Fold’s strongest advantages over traditional smartphones. While this workflow won’t appeal to everyone, it’s hard to deny how useful it is when juggling email, documents, messaging apps, or content editing simultaneously.

Photography also receives meaningful upgrades. Borrowing hardware from Samsung’s Ultra series, the Fold 8 Ultra features a 200-megapixel main camera alongside 50-megapixel ultrawide and 10-megapixel telephoto sensors. Samsung’s ProVisual Engine is featured alongside Nightography Video. Horizontal Lock, introduced across the Galaxy S26 series, maintains level footage when filming handheld. During demonstrations, Horizontal Lock felt particularly impressive, smoothing out movement without introducing an unnatural floating effect.

Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra preorders are available now, starting at $2,699 for the 256GB model. Samsung is also offering 512GB and 1TB storage options. The device launches with Violet Shadow, Graphite, Cream and Green Shadow (online exclusive) colourways.

Galaxy Z Fold 8 prioritizes portability

While the Ultra chases premium specifications, the standard Galaxy Z Fold 8 takes a different approach. Samsung says it’s the lightest foldable it has produced, weighing only 201 grams, and that reduction is immediately noticeable. It feels great to hold in my hand, whether folded or unfolded. While folded, the device is no bigger than a passport and fits comfortably in my front pocket.

The Fold 8 features a 7.6-inch inner display alongside a 5.5-inch cover screen, both capable of reaching the same 3,000-nit peak brightness as the Ultra. Rather than focusing on flagship camera hardware, Samsung is targeting media consumption and creators. Apps like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts naturally benefit from the larger display, while creator-focused tools like Dual Recording, which functions like Apple’s Dual Capture,  and Horizontal Lock make handheld filming considerably easier.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 offers a two-camera lens array on the rear, supporting a 50-megapixel wide camera and a 50-megapixel ultra-wide shooter. The cover and inner displays both sport 10-megapixel lenses. For those like me who love to shoot with a telephoto lens, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 may underserve in that sense. Aside from that, the camera solutions are quite compelling given the size and form factor.

Preorders for the Galaxy Z Fold 8 are now available, starting at $2,399 for the 256GB model. 512GB and 1TB storage models are also available. Samsung is launching its latest foldable in Lavender, Graphite, Cream, and Pistachio (online exclusive) options.

The Galaxy Z Flip 8 continues to mature

The Galaxy Z Flip 8 arguably receives the least exciting suite of hardware improvements. Samsung expanded the FlexWindow to 4.1 inches, allowing users to interact with widgets, notifications, and Galaxy AI without opening the phone. Combined with a thinner 6.1mm profile and redesigned hinge, the Flip 8 feels more refined but didn’t blow me away during my hands-on session.

The larger external display also makes the Flip feel substantially more useful when closed. Checking notifications, controlling music playback, replying to messages, or glancing at calendar events all require fewer compromises than before. However, when opened, the Galaxy Z Flip 8 functions almost identically to its predecessor. There’s a lack of a ‘wow’ factor with this year’s Flip model compared to previous iterations.

Camera hardware remains largely familiar, pairing a 50-megapixel primary sensor with a 12-megapixel ultrawide lens. Features like FlexCam, Camcorder Grip Mode, Nightography Video, and Super Steady continue targeting creators who prefer filming without additional accessories.

Galaxy Z Flip 8 preorders are now live, starting at $1,549 for its 256GB model. A 512GB storage option is also made available. Colours at launch include Pink, Graphite, Cream and Mint (online exclusive).

Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and larger batteries

Powering the entire lineup is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, which delivers improved CPU, GPU and AI performance over the previous generation. Although benchmark testing will have to wait until a full review, everyday navigation felt exceptionally fluid across all three devices. Opening multiple applications, switching between windows and navigating One UI remained responsive throughout my demo.

Battery life also receives welcome improvements this year. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra houses a 5,000mAh battery, while the Galaxy Z Fold 8 increases capacity to 4,800mAh. Samsung estimates up to 27 hours of video playback on the Ultra and roughly 26 hours on the Fold 8. While those claims will need to be verified through real-world testing, pairing larger batteries with the more efficient Snapdragon platform should translate into better day-long endurance. The Galaxy Z Flip 8 unfortunately carries over the same 4,300mAh battery from last year’s model.

Storage options continue to include 256GB, 512GB and 1TB configurations, with 12GB of RAM standard and 16GB available on higher-capacity models.

Galaxy AI takes centre stage

As with Samsung’s recent Galaxy S-series devices, many of the software improvements focus on AI. One of the more practical additions is the updated Now Nudge experience. Rather than functioning as another standalone assistant, it quietly surfaces contextual suggestions while you’re already working. For instance, during a text conversation about dinner with a friend, Now Nudge automatically digs up nearby restaurants, calendar availability, and navigation suggestions without opening separate apps.

On the Fold series, this becomes even more compelling when running multiple applications simultaneously, allowing contextual recommendations to appear while messaging, browsing, or planning events.

Samsung is also expanding its creator-focused AI tools. Photo Assist now accepts natural voice or text prompts for Generative Edit, making object removal or image alterations feel considerably more conversational. Video Auto Reframing intelligently tracks subjects after recording, while My FanCam automatically follows moving people within a scene, potentially making concert or sporting event footage easier to edit later.

Not every AI feature feels essential today, but unlike in previous years, several additions seem designed to quietly improve existing habits rather than asking users to fundamentally change how they use their phones.

Easier switching from iPhone

Samsung also continues making the transition from iPhone considerably less intimidating. The latest Smart Switch experience now begins by scanning a QR code displayed on an existing iPhone to wirelessly transfer messages, passwords, Wi-Fi credentials, notes, voice recordings, eSIM information, and even home screen layouts. It’s a surprisingly comprehensive migration process that removes much of the friction traditionally associated with changing smartphone ecosystems.

A confident year of refinement

After spending time with Samsung’s latest foldables, it’s clear that the most exciting pair is the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra and the new Galaxy Z Fold 8. Instead of the same ins and outs each year, the refined Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra feels like a well-earned upgrade from last year’s standout device. The new passport-sized Galaxy Z Fold 8 bridged the gap between the Fold and the Flip, putting content first in an impressively lightweight device. That unfortunately leaves the Galaxy Z Flip 8 shuffling behind, with minimal improvements.

The slimmer designs make all three devices noticeably more comfortable to hold, brighter displays improve outdoor usability, and Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 keeps everything feeling exceptionally responsive. Meanwhile, features like Now Nudge, improved creator tools, and the larger FlexWindow suggest Samsung is beginning to find more practical applications for AI beyond simple novelty.

None of these changes completely redefine Samsung’s foldable lineup on their own, but together they make this year’s devices feel more polished and approachable than ever. The real test, however, will come after spending extended time with Galaxy AI and the battery improvements to determine whether they deliver meaningful advantages.