<\/p>\nTable of content<\/p>\n
<\/default:svg><\/button><\/p>\n\n1. The shape of success takes many forms<\/li>\n 2. Using past lessons, but not in the way you\u2019d expect<\/li>\n 3. Software and user experience (beyond the foldable)<\/li>\n 4. Imaging Performance<\/li>\n 5. Benchmark Performance<\/li>\n 6. Battery Life<\/li>\n 7. Conclusion<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\nWhen something like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8<\/b> pops up in the Android phone space, it\u2019s easy to fall for the hype and make a snap judgement simply based on how it looks and feels in the first few moments of using the device. We\u2019ve seen enough content out there glazing the wide foldable phone like it\u2019s the best thing since sliced bread.<\/p>\n
Hence, a review telling you that Fold8 is a good phone wasn\u2019t enough for us, and we endeavoured to explain why it feels good <\/i>here. Even Samsung\u2019s own executives admit it\u2019s hard to tell you about the perks of foldables until you hold one yourself<\/u>.<\/p>\n
After all, this is the brand\u2019s third unique form factor for foldables (fourth, if you count Galaxy Z TriFold). It\u2019s a breath of fresh air in a stagnated Android phone landscape that\u2019s spent years chasing after incremental gains in affordability, camera prowess, battery efficiency, and display quality. For a long time, Android handsets were always about bigger, brighter, fatter, and better. Such trends pushed camera housing sizes to balloon beyond reason, making expensive telephoto attachments is an accepted practice for Ultra-sized bar-type mobiles.<\/p>\n
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Play<\/span><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\nThis is where Galaxy Z Fold8 defies the norm. Samsung committed to a form factor that\u2019s not only smaller than the popular book-style foldable format (Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra) but also adopted display aspect ratios that aren\u2019t common to modern Android phones on both Cover and Main Screen. It even forced its flagship to give up the \u201cFold\u201d name and pegged the book-style format to \u201cUltra\u201d instead, akin to a multinational corporate-sized bet on a new form factor with many unknowns.<\/p>\n
To reassure users, Samsung reminded both fans and haters it has seven generations\u2019 worth of foldable experience, added its new Flex Titanium display support module<\/u>, swapped to silicon-carbon batteries, and gave it the same premium treatment as its foldable Ultra counterpart via a top-end Snapdragon processor, updated 45W wired charging, and display technologies (check the specs in the menu above).\u00a0<\/p>\n
Even its software isn\u2019t spared, with optimisations to Now Brief, Now Nudge, Galaxy AI, Bixby, and Gemini all dressed up with a mini-makeover that promises more practical use.<\/p>\n
All this starts at\u00a0S$2,498<\/b>\u00a0(256GB storage), and that\u2019s with the price hikes from memory shortages already taken into account.<\/p>\n
In all senses, Samsung did the opposite of what historical data supposedly says. Compact phones usually get the short end of the stick, and brands traditionally held on to familiar designs and aspect ratios because of how content is rendered on your mobile phone.\u00a0<\/p>\n
We ask if breaking the mould is worth it for Samsung. More importantly, we want to know if the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 brings any tangible value with its shape, and whether it qualifies as a premium flagship foldable. Let\u2019s go.<\/p>\n
Using past lessons, but not in the way you\u2019d expect<\/h2>\n\nSamsung Galaxy Z Fold8 in four colours (one is online-exclusive).<\/p>\n
Photo: HWZ<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
The Galaxy Z Fold8 format scratches an itch we never knew existed, with its key successes coming down to clever use of ergonomics and time-tested technologies.<\/p>\n\nBevelled edges.<\/p>\n
Photo: HWZ<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
One example of such old technology is the use of bevelled edges<\/b> \u2013 a technique that exists as early as the 4th millennium BC<\/u>. By indenting the folding entry points, this makes the Galaxy Z Fold8 much easier to unfold than previous models. While not recommended, it\u2019s technically possible to slide one thumb into the metal sandwich to start up the main display now.<\/p>\n
Another tried-and-tested factor is the phone\u2019s folded dimensions (123.9 x 81.9 x 9.7mm). Users born before the 2000s might find it reminiscent of the iconic BlackBerry Classic (2014)<\/u>, one of the last \u201csmart\u201d phones to have a physical keyboard. Younger users would find the phone resembles a standardised travel passport<\/u>, large enough to be legible, yet pocketable enough to be carried on your person through security checkpoints.<\/p>\n\n5.5-inch Cover Screen.<\/p>\n
Photo: HWZ<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
The Galaxy Z Fold8\u2019s 5.5-inch<\/b> Secondary Display has an almost 16:10<\/b> aspect ratio, which is a familiar format for a good number of laptop and desktop monitors. Besides viewing, this shape keeps the keys spaced comfortably apart so you\u2019re less likely to fat-finger your words.<\/p>\n
Since most online content is also mastered in 16:9 (or the other way around for vertical short-form videos), there is minimal letterboxing. App navigation across the Home Screen feels relaxed, as the app icons also have generous spacing. A cherry on top is its unusually high pixel density of ~424 PPI<\/b>, which makes content above 1080p<\/b> compatible on the panel and appears sharp to the eye.<\/p>\n
This is a huge difference from using the secondary displays of a Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra (21:9 aspect ratio) or a Galaxy Z Flip8 (almost 1:1 aspect ratio). While these other shapes have their viewing and navigation advantages, neither are as good as Fold8 overall when it comes to the twin tasks of watching and typing.<\/p>\n
Samsung calling the Fold8 a \u201cmedia consumption\u201d phone undersells the full gamut of ergonomics and handling perks it offers. A passport\u2019s shape and carefully selected aspect ratios affect many everyday tasks and behaviours<\/b>, including how you put the device away. It feels different when you format emails, reply (or ghost) messages, watch shows, and leave Internet comments. Even the way it\u2019s held during a commute, pulled out of your pants to pay a vendor, placed on your desk, and doomscrolling are affected, too. Ultimately, the Fold8 returns some of the ergonomic perks we compromised on when phones swelled up to Ultra or Pro Max sizes of today.<\/p>\n\n7.6-inch Main Screen.<\/p>\n
Photo: HWZ<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
We\u2019ve not even started on the 7.6-inch <\/b>Main Screen yet.<\/p>\n
Unfold the device, and you\u2019re greeted by a display that\u2019s a few pixels away from a perfect 4:3<\/b> aspect ratio with ~403 PPI. Letterboxing of 16:9 videos is more visible here because of the shorter display length, but some users might not mind as much, since it grants a pseudo-cinema effect.\u00a0<\/p>\n\nMovies, with letterboxing included on Main Screen.<\/p>\n
Photo: HWZ<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
4:3 is also what your phone camera typically shoots at out of the box, which means the photos you (or your friends) have will take full advantage of the Main Display.\u00a0<\/p>\n\nReading on Main Screen.<\/p>\n
Photo: HWZ<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Another perk is that apps and written content (e-books, deep-dive websites, game guides, cooking recipes, etc.) also use the full panel.<\/b> This makes the content appear expansive and more comfortable to view. You can fit full bullet points or sentences in one glance, making text feel shorter and more accessible.<\/p>\n
Besides leisure reading, it also benefits \u201cpersonal productivity\u201d. It feels easier to check your flight, hotel, or car rental details, snatch up concert tickets, or ensure you didn\u2019t miss an important line when trying to meal-prep or bake a goodie.<\/p>\n
Despite having so many new things to consider when building a Fold8, Samsung hasn’t neglected the must-haves for premium displays and foldables. You\u2019re still getting an adaptive 120Hz<\/b> refresh rate and Vision Booster <\/b>for use under sunlight, and they\u2019ve also made sure the hinge opens up as flush as possible without being too flimsy\/stiff to fold\/unfold. The crease, while not entirely invisible, has been markedly improved by the use of a Flex Titanium display module sandwich to help with better retention of its near-creaseless appearance on an inactive display (you can barely see the crease if you\u2019re engaged on the panel).<\/p>\n
As good as it may be, there is always room for improvement. A minor detail is the on-display camera, which mildly interrupts the Main Display\u2019s viewing experience<\/b>, and it\u2019s especially prominent when you\u2019re in full-screen apps or e-books. Also, the Fold8 still wobbles when you set it camera-down towards a desk. The crease \u2013 while less visible \u2013 is still obvious to the touch (unlike one other rivalling foldable<\/u>).\u00a0<\/p>\n\nGaming, on full-screen app.<\/p>\n
Photo: HWZ<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
The most critical (in our opinion) isn\u2019t all of these, but the IP48 dust and water resistance rating<\/b> is on the lower side at a time when foldables are beginning to see IP68 or higher<\/u>. It sounds like nitpicking, but higher dust and water resistance ratings go a long way in assuring users of the durability of their investments. Granted, foldables are a challenging engineering feat, so it\u2019s understandable that Samsung prioritised features that offer greater comfort or convenience first, but we also cannot ignore what the competition is offering.<\/p>\n\nSamsung Galaxy Z Fold8.<\/p>\n
Photo: HWZ<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
For a more intimate perspective on the Fold8\u2019s passport shape being a stunner, you can read this piece below:<\/p>\n
Software and user experience (beyond the foldable)<\/h2>\n\nSamsung Galaxy Z Fold8, upright<\/p>\n
Photo: HWZ<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
It\u2019s not that One UI 9 (based on Android 17) has nothing new to share \u2014 it\u2019s just that Android software updates have shifted from an annual affair to regular check-ins. To users coming from the Apple camp, a notable add-on this year is Android\u2019s Quick Share now supporting Apple\u2019s AirDrop transfers for files and images.<\/p>\n
While not unique or new to Samsung, these file transfers are lossless (unlike sending lossy photos via messaging apps when you forget to send them as attachments) and don\u2019t burn your Wi-Fi or mobile data allotment. Such minor tweaks to the greater Android ecosystem only add more value to phones like the Fold8, which already has its own unique selling points.<\/p>\n
Another way the Android user experience plays smoothly with Fold8\u2019s form factor comes through its secondary display (cover screen). It has a lower learning curve and fewer limitations than foldable phones with bespoke interfaces (like the Galaxy Z Flip8). Effectively, you\u2019re on a compact version of the Fold8 Ultra\u2019s cover screen, so the navigation and browsing don\u2019t deviate very far from a standard, bar-type handset.\u00a0<\/p>\n
On Samsung\u2019s part, it made its home-brewed app continuity a fully supported feature and moved it out of its experimental Labs menu. It now goes by \u201ccontinue apps on cover screen\u201d<\/b> inside Settings > Display<\/i>. This is particularly important for users who prefer to confirm a phone lock via the Lock Button, instead of prematurely locking the phone when folding the Main Display.<\/p>\n
Having two displays inevitably leads to minor software quirks, even though Android supports all aspect ratios and display sizes. These issues usually boil down to individual app compatibility. Gaming apps, for instance, are the primary culprits that fail to resize correctly when you switch displays.<\/p>\n
Some video streaming apps (including YouTube) support resizing, but in-app elements like the video player can still struggle when moving between the Cover and Main Screens. Restarting the app usually fixes it\u2014though this is incredibly annoying during unpausable PvP ranked matches. Ultimately, the onus is on app developers to fully support unique form factors, as Samsung\u2019s compatibility work naturally stops at its One UI platform.<\/p>\n
In an interview with Samsung executives at the Galaxy Z Fold8\u2019s launch announcement<\/u>, these spokespersons explained that Galaxy AI is now treated as a platform that houses important features alongside AI agents and models from third-party AI services (like Gemini and Perplexity). Galaxy AI takes a suggestive approach so users always feel in control of their AI tools.\u00a0<\/p>\n
This is most evident in updated features like Now Nudge, which provides an app shortcut (to the likes of Calendar and Maps) on your display when you\u2019re messaging friends to set up a meet, sparing you from going through 3-5 menus or gestures for the same outcome.<\/p>\n
You can also use AI to create \u201ccards\u201d in Now Brief, so you get more personalised summaries on the things you actually care about. For instance, we added UV and humidity levels to the Weather card to make the forecast feel more productive, since Singapore\u2019s weather is very predictable otherwise: hot, raining, or hot while raining. For folks who love driving, they get to add Visibility, too.\u00a0<\/p>\n\nSetting up a Now Brief card for summaries.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Our main complaint is that custom cards restrict your instructions to 150 characters, making it challenging to create super-targeted, clutter-free cards. The available options can also feel limited; for example, the Weather card lacks a \u201cfeels like\u201d temperature alongside other metrics you might want to add.<\/p>\n
Still, we appreciate that Samsung is taking Now Brief in a practical direction. It feels one step closer to keeping your apps tucked away while surfacing key information directly on your cards. This is a marked improvement over early iterations, where Galaxy AI simply made assumptions and left Now Brief feeling like a glorified ad banner.<\/p>\n
Our favourite, however, is that Samsung finally made Bixby capable of executing some phone controls<\/b> via voice<\/b>. With a single command, it can lower or mute all audio sources, like videos, but also simultaneously turn alert\/message sounds up to full blast. While it\u2019s not all-encompassing, Bixby cuts down a whole series of steps, instead of having to set coded routines and\/or fiddle across menus. Another really cool way to use Bixby (out of many) is to tell it to restart your phone without touching the physical side buttons like you\u2019re trying to reset a Tamagotchi or Digimon toy.<\/p>\n\nUse fingers? Find Settings? Google for instructions? Not if you have Bixby.<\/p>\n
Photo: HWZ<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
All these examples are small ways Samsung made its software and user experience more seamless and convenient to use without losing features or controls valued by nitpicky folks. It\u2019s not flashy, but they feel more essential to the overall experience than a fancy AI feature that only works 10% of the time or limits the number of uses per month.<\/p>\n