Published 7 September 2026 In Reviews

It’s been a month since Samsung launched the game-changing Galaxy Z Fold8. It redefined the Galaxy Z series with a new form factor, improved display technology, better battery life, and even more Galaxy AI features, all to become the best Android foldable yet.

The Z Fold8 takes the potent processor of the Galaxy S26 Ultra, and pairs it with the enhanced versatility that comes with the folding form factor.

It also sits in the middle of Samsung’s latest range of Galaxy Z devices. That includes the powerful Z Fold8 Ultra, which combines flagship specs with a 200MP main camera and larger battery, and the fun, social-ready Z Flip8 with its classic clamshell design.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8: In Short...

Dual Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays offer crisp, vibrant visuals
Galaxy AI features integrate seamlessly into daily phone tasks
Powerful 4800mAh battery provides reliable all-day performance
Fast 45W wired and 20W wireless charging speeds
Versatile rear camera system captures high-quality selfies easily
Snapdragon 8 Elite processor delivers excellent gaming performance
Slim, portable design easily fits into pockets and bags
Flex Titanium Technology improves durability and reduces screen crease
Available now, starting at £1,699 for 256GB storage, £1,869 for 512GB, and £2,209 for 1TB

1. Superb screens

Yes, you read that right: screens with an extra “s”. For those unfamiliar with the Galaxy Z Fold series, you can expect two of Samsung’s Dynamic AMOLED 2X display technology, which provides deep blacks, rich colours and crisp details. Paired with a variable refresh rate of up to 120Hz, both displays are a joy to interact with, and they have their own strengths for different use cases.

The first is a 5.5-inch cover screen with a 10:16 aspect ratio. This is shorter and wider than previous Galaxy Z Fold phones, and it comes with a boatload of usability upgrades. Scrolling through social media apps delivers an engaging full-screen experience, and quickly replying to a message on the cover screen offers quick, comfortable typing.

However, some tasks require a bigger screen for total immersion, and that’s where the 7.6-inch internal screen shines. Watching YouTube videos, TV shows, and movies is a particular highlight here, as the new 4:3 aspect ratio results in smaller black bars above and below the picture, meaning more of your screen is taken up by your content.

Reading online articles and e-books is also a pleasure on this screen, and it’s quickly become a travel essential for long flights and daily commutes alike.

2. Galaxy AI makes life easier

Galaxy AI is Samsung’s comprehensive AI feature suite, and it’s come a long way since it launched on the Galaxy S24 series. With Galaxy AI now woven into the One UI operating system, the features now feel like second nature.

Now Nudge can import contextual information from your calendar into text messages, and Now Brief is an all-in-one information hub for important notifications, events, weather, commute times and more.

Galaxy AI is also a crucial tool for photo editing; whether that’s removing unwanted photobombers in your photos with AI eraser, or totally changing the look of your picture into a pop art, anime or watercolour style.

And we couldn’t forget to mention Circle to Search with Google, as it provides a wealth of information by simply drawing a circle around something you want to find out more about on your screen.

With writing prompts, an automatic translation feature for calls and texts, and the Sound Eraser feature for cleaning up audio also on board, Galaxy AI is only getting better as time goes on.

3. Battery for days

Samsung has outfitted the Z Fold8 with some seriously impressive battery technology, and it’s cured us of battery anxiety. Filming videos, playing intensive games, and streaming content on the phone for hours at a time was no issue for the new 4800mAh dual silicon-carbon battery.

Interestingly, it’s split across the two halves of the phone, keeping energy density high while spreading out the physical presence of the cell. This keeps the device super thin (we’ll touch more on that later), while also providing all-day battery life without being tethered to a charger; which takes us nearly onto our next point...

4. It charges in a flash

You’d think that a battery that lasts well over a day will take forever to charge, but that isn’t the case. With up to 45W wired fast charging or 20W wireless fast charging (providing you have a supported fast-charging adapter), the Z Fold8 can be juiced up in a flash.

5. Convenient cameras

The Z Fold8 may have fewer cameras than the S26 Ultra, but the shooting experience is still very versatile. With a dual 50MP wide and ultra-wide camera system on the rear of the phone, the camera produces sharp, colourful photographs with ease, and there’s a secret weapon that makes selfies incredible too.

Flipping the phone around allows you to snap selfies with that rear camera combo, and you can use the cover display as a viewfinder too. This means that you can achieve full-quality selfies without having to guess if you’re getting a good shot.

6. Glorious gaming

That crisp, responsive and large interior screen is great for watching movies and TV shows, but gaming is even better. The powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy processor, which is backed by either 12GB or 16GB of RAM, is plenty powerful for graphically intensive titles and casual games alike.

There's more room for your touch controls and HUD elements, and with more of the battlefield, race track, or arena visible compared to a traditional smartphone, you'll get a competitive edge for online gaming too.

7. Perfect for pockets

Given the size of the expansive, tablet-style main display, it’s mind-boggling that the Galaxy Z Fold8 can easily slip into pockets and small bags. At just 9.7mm folded, the Z Fold8 is only slightly thicker than the Galaxy S26 Ultra, and it measures just 4.7mm when unfolded – that’s barely thicker than the USB-C charging port on the bottom of the phone.

The combination of practicality and portability makes it a fantastic travel companion. You get a tablet-like experience without sacrificing space in your bag, and when you need to get back on the move, simply snapping the Z Fold8 shut and slipping it into your pocket never gets old.

8. Foldable, not fragile

The notion that foldable phones are fragile is long outdated. Samsung has been at this for eight years now, and it's learned how to make a sturdy foldable phone.

This year it's introduced Flex Titanium Technology, which combines an ultra-thin titanium mesh and flexible titanium plates below the display, and it comes with a few major advantages.

The foldable interior display is now more uniform, meaning the central crease has practically vanished, and it's more durable too.

Elsewhere you'll find the latest version of Samsung’s Advanced Armour Aluminium, which is both lightweight and drop resistant, while Corning’s Gorilla Glass Ceramic 3 on the exterior display keeps nicks and scratches at bay.

That durability doesn't come at the cost of style, as the clean lines and smooth frosted glass back panel looks stylish in the Lavender, Graphite, Cream and Samsung-exclusive Pistachio finishes.

How about the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra and Z Flip8?

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 sits in the middle of Samsung’s new foldable family, offering a different proposition to the all-out Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra and the pocket-friendly Galaxy Z Flip8. Its key selling point is its unusual, wider form factor, but the Fold8 makes some compromises against the Ultra, most notably with its 50MP main camera rather than a 200MP sensor and its smaller 7.6-inch internal display.

The Fold8 Ultra is the choice for anyone who wants Samsung’s biggest and most capable foldable, pairing an 8-inch display with a 6.5-inch cover screen, a more versatile triple-camera system and a 5,000mAh battery built for serious multitasking.

The Galaxy Z Flip8, meanwhile, heads in the opposite direction, prioritising portability and style with its compact clamshell design, 6.9-inch main screen and 4.1-inch FlexWindow for handling quick tasks without opening the phone. All three pack flagship performance and Samsung’s latest AI features, but their personalities are distinct: choose the Fold8 for the best balance of size and versatility, the Ultra for maximum screen space and photography firepower, or the Flip8 if you want the foldable that disappears most easily into a pocket.

Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 marks the point where foldables stop being a clever alternative and become a genuine everyday choice. Its superb twin displays, powerful Snapdragon performance, excellent battery life and increasingly useful Galaxy AI features make it one of the most versatile Android phones you can buy. Better still, its unique slim design means you get a tablet-sized screen without carrying a tablet-sized device.

Is it Samsung's ultimate foldable? The Z Fold8 Ultra, with its bigger screens, better camera system and more battery might have words about that. But the Fold8 arguably hits the sweet spot. It is powerful, portable and practical, with enough durability to finally put old fears about fragile foldables to bed. If you've been waiting for an excuse to ditch the traditional smartphone, this might be it.

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Lewis is a Shortlist contributor and full-time senior staff writer at What Hi-Fi? where he covers the latest consumer AV technology launches across TVs, smartphones, soundbars and home cinema topics. That’s spurred on by his love of movies, music and tech, and he can often be found at an IMAX theatre or concert venue. He got his start in technology journalism by serving as the technology and gaming editor for Cardiff University’s Quench Magazine, and has also written for the BBC’s Tech Decoded newsletter.