Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Review: A Passport-Shaped Foldable with Premium Trade-offs

Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 abandons the narrow “book-style” design of earlier models for a squat, passport-like shape reminiscent of classic BlackBerry devices. When closed, the phone measures 9.7 mm in thickness—comparable to a regular phone in a case—but its short, wide dimensions make one-handed use difficult and require two hands for most tasks. The internal 4:3 tablet screen matches the aspect ratio of iPads and Surface devices, offering a better fit for video and web content than squarer competitors.

The Guardian

Battery testing shows roughly 40 hours of mixed-use endurance, with eight hours allocated to intensive 5G or Wi-Fi browsing, gaming, and note-taking. The device houses two 50 MP rear cameras (main and ultrawide) but omits a telephoto lens; Samsung notes that the 2× optical zoom remains usable while higher digital zoom levels degrade quality. Two 10 MP front cameras support video calls, though the review suggests the main rear camera yields better selfies when used as a viewfinder.

The Guardian

Running One UI 9 on Android 17, the Fold 8 benefits from Samsung’s “Now Bar” and AI-driven “Now Nudge” tools, while Google’s Gemini is integrated for occasional assistance. Samsung commits to Android and security updates through 31 July 2033, as stated in its update policy. Repairability is moderate: internal-screen repairs cost about £600, but Samsung offers a self-repair programme and Care+ accidental-damage insurance that can reduce repair fees to £50.

The Guardian

Samsung lists the Fold 8 at £1,699 (? €1,999 / $1,899.99 / A$2,699). The higher-spec Fold 8 Ultra starts at £1,899, while the S26 Ultra is priced at £1,279. Competing foldables include the Honor Magic V6 (£1,999.99) and Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold (£1,299). Samsung reports that the device contains 14.9 % recycled material by weight and promotes trade-in and recycling schemes for older phones.

The Guardian

Pros – Combines phone and tablet functionality, thin and light for a foldable, strong multitasking performance, solid battery life, water resistance.

The Guardian

Cons – Extremely high price, passport-shaped chassis hampers one-handed phone use, no dust-resistance rating, more fragile than conventional smartphones, costly repairs, and the absence of a telephoto camera.

The Guardian

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 showcases Samsung’s engineering prowess but illustrates the trade-offs inherent in premium-price, experimental form factors.

The Guardian