Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8: A More Compact Foldable That Changes Usage Habits
The new Galaxy Z Fold8 impresses with a wider, shorter design and excellent displays, but the high price and lack of a telephoto camera leave a bitter taste.
The new Galaxy Z Fold8 impresses with a wider, shorter design and excellent displays, but the high price and lack of a telephoto camera leave a bitter taste.
After kickstarting the foldable phone revolution in 2019, Samsung has decided to turn over a new leaf and introduce the Galaxy Z Fold8, a device that abandons the tall format in favor of a wider and shorter chassis. I had the chance to test this phone in daily use over the past few days, including a train ride from Zagreb to Bjelovar, where it sparked curiosity and delight in a conductor who immediately recognized it.
The first encounter with the Fold8 is unusual. We're used to tall phones, but here we get a device whose width, when folded, exceeds eight centimeters. Although I'm one of those users who believe that diagonals larger than 6.1 inches aren't practical for one-handed use, I quickly got used to the new dimensions. The 5.5-inch external display with a 10:16 aspect ratio proved surprisingly practical. "The width of the external display proved more practical for typing messages (with both hands), and messages and notifications are easier and faster to follow on that screen," noted the article's author for Večernji.hr. In fact, I performed most daily activities, even watching Netflix content, on the external screen.
When unfolded, you get a 7.6-inch internal display with a 4:3 aspect ratio, which turns into 3:4 when rotated to portrait. These ratios are excellent for watching videos and reading books, for instance via the Kindle app, which can split text into two columns. "Both the external and internal screens appear to be of excellent quality-they're attractive, sharp, and quite bright," the review states. Samsung has integrated new Flex Titanium folding technology, combining a titanium alloy film and a new support plate, which increases screen durability and reduces the visibility of the crease. The device is also thinner than ever: just 4.5 mm when open and 9.7 mm when folded, weighing 201 grams.
The new, shorter format also brings a downside. Since the cameras are positioned lower than on standard tall phones, the cutout for the internal camera can now intrude more noticeably into the content you're viewing. For example, while watching the series Person of Interest, the black camera hole appeared right in the middle of a character's head. "In other words, the internal camera cutout is now much more noticeable and can interfere with viewing in some situations," the author notes. The same applies to the rear cameras, which are also positioned lower, so fingers would occasionally creep into the frame when taking photos.
The Fold8 has a 4800 mAh battery, slightly smaller than the Ultra model, but it proved durable in practice. Most of the time, the battery would last a day and a half, regularly with over 5 hours of screen-on time. In one test, after 5 hours and 20 minutes of screen-on time, at 1:25 PM on the second day of use, there was still 18% battery left. There were also days with seven hours of screen-on time. During two hours of Netflix viewing, consumption was 24%. As for charging, it reaches 26% in 15 minutes, 52% in half an hour, 74% in 45 minutes, and 92% in an hour. A full charge from empty takes 1 hour and 16 minutes. However, occasional heating was noticed when the device was folded and under heavier load, such as hours of streaming or photography.
The biggest criticism concerns the cameras. With a starting price of €1,999, expectations are high, but the Fold8 comes with a dual camera setup with 50-megapixel lenses, while the more advanced 200-megapixel camera, as well as the telephoto camera, are reserved for the Fold8 Ultra model. Only 10x digital zoom is available. "The cameras are typically solid for a Samsung flagship, but this is exactly the area where the biggest compromise was made and, in my opinion, the biggest question mark," the review states. The main camera will serve you well in daylight, while night shots are somewhat softer and less sharp. Among the new software features, Dual Recording stands out for simultaneously capturing both sides of an event, and My FanCam for automatically tracking a selected person.
The Galaxy Z Fold8 is undoubtedly a bold move that could define the future of smartphones. "In certain segments, Samsung has made compromises for its new type of foldable phone, but at the same time, it has introduced a new kind of device that could represent the future of smartphones," the author concludes. With excellent displays, strong performance, and improved battery life, the biggest assets are the new design and practicality. On the other hand, the high price, lack of a telephoto camera, and occasional heating are clear signs that Samsung still has room for improvement. Despite this, early order numbers suggest that the Fold8 could become one of the best-selling foldable devices. It's important to note that, according to the author's experience, the Galaxy Z Fold8 has no official water resistance rating.
