Samsung’s new Ultra foldable is impressive, but I’d pay close attention to this model

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ZDNET’s key takeaways

• Samsung launched three foldable telephones at its Unpacked occasion in London.
• Its first ‘Extremely’ foldable, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Extremely, is a formidable system. 
• Nevertheless, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 has a novel type issue that is very compelling.

Now that Samsung Unpacked is over and all of the telephones have been introduced, you might be clamoring to get your preorder in for the all-new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Extremely. It’s, in spite of everything, the primary Samsung foldable to bear the “Extremely” moniker. 

Additionally: Every part introduced at Samsung Unpacked 2026: New foldables, smartwatches, extra

However you may wish to maintain on for a second and take a look at the Samsung Galaxy Fold 8, too. Sure, the Fold 8 Extremely has quite a bit going for it, however the Fold 8 makes a robust argument for itself, as properly. A part of that’s as a result of Samsung is aware of what’s coming down the pipeline: a foldable iPhone — a product that might disrupt the market its traditionally dominated. 

Due to that, Samsung gave the Z Fold 8 some notably compelling design options. Listed here are among the factors you may wish to contemplate earlier than dropping a critical chunk of change on the Extremely mannequin. 

The value is true

At the beginning, the Samsung Galaxy Fold 8 begins at $1,899, which is a full $200 lower than its extremely sibling. The variations between the 2 embrace a lacking 10MP telephoto digicam, a smaller 50MP predominant digicam, 200 mAh of battery capability, and a smaller inside and canopy display screen. Of these compromises, I believed the diminished display screen dimension could be the deal breaker, however after spending a while with the telephone, I not suppose that is the case.

We’re dwelling in a time the place smartphone costs are both going up, they’re staying the identical with fewer significant upgrades, or each. Saving a few benjamins nowadays can go a great distance towards preserving your already strained price range. 

Type meets operate

One among my criticisms of book-style foldables is the truth that the sq. type issue is not nice for issues like content material consumption. They may also be unwieldy to carry. The Fold 8 nearly eliminates that argument by turning itself right into a 4:3 pill while you open it. It is a smaller pill, for positive, but it surely’s an precise pill type issue, not an oblong peg shoved right into a sq. gap.

Additionally: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Extremely vs. Z Fold 7: After a 12 months of utilization, I am able to improve

On paper, this does not sound like a giant deal. However, as soon as I received the telephone in my hand, it clicked. The quilt display screen is sweet as a result of you may entry a lot of it with only one hand. I’ve gotten used to the finger gymnastics essential to navigate a taller telephone with one hand, however the squat display screen of the Galaxy 8 Fold adjustments all that.   

Whereas the telephone is shorter, it is also wider which may also be higher for studying; that’s, in spite of everything a lot of what we do on our telephones. It stays to be seen which apps reply to that 10:16 facet ratio, nonetheless. The apps put in on the telephones on the hands-on session all seemed advantageous, however there are thousands and thousands of others that will not; your mileage could differ. 

Solely two cameras?

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 doesn’t have a telephoto digicam, which is a disgrace. Between an ultrawide digicam and a telephoto, I would favor a telephoto each time. As a dad or mum, I like taking pictures of my youngsters doing child issues, and generally these issues are on a sports activities area or a stage, so I would like to have the ability to zoom in additional. 

Some fast testing of the 50-megapixel predominant digicam means that even as much as 10x, zoom is ok. I wasn’t capable of vet these outcomes on a bigger pc display screen, however on the very least, the pictures are what I wish to name “social media good” since that is in all probability the place they’re going to find yourself anyway. 

Ultimiately, the lacking telephoto lens isn’t actually that a lot of a problem. I’ve examined the 10MP digicam on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Extremely and it positively falls into the “okay, however not nice” class. Whereas it is often higher to have it and never want it, the proof means that not having it is going to be okay. 

Additionally: I attempted Samsung’s new broad Galaxy Z Fold 8, and it is my favourite product of Unpacked 2026

It will have been good if Samsung packed within the 200-megapixel shooter from the Extremely into this telephone, however then once more, this telephone isn’t an Extremely. Maybe Samsung sees the 200-megapixel sensor as an extremely function. However when all is alleged and accomplished, I believe it will be okay to reside with out the digicam totally.

The underside line: it is the higher purchase

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 sparks a real curiosity in me that, I will be trustworthy, a whole lot of telephones don’t summon. The shape issue feels very retro in a method that is exhausting to place my finger on. 

What I can say is that if this telephone didn’t unfold, it will be a very totally different story; the quilt display screen is simply too squat for me to make use of full time. It is not misplaced on me that one of many standards I take advantage of to guage a foldable is how a lot I can or wish to use it when it is closed. That is somewhat regarding to me and solely a correct evaluate interval will reveal whether or not that opinion holds up.

What I can say for now’s that the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 is a stunning telephone, and it is the one I am most keen to check out. However within the meantime, I feel that this telephone is the sleeper hit that Samsung produced and I actually hope that it succeeds, regardless of not being “Extremely.”