7. Conclusion<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\nDid Samsung really raise the bar and meet its own Ultra standards?<\/h2>\n Longtime Galaxy Fold users would know that Samsung\u2019s Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra<\/b> practically paved the way for its newer passport form factor<\/u>. Hence, it was fitting that this year\u2019s bookstyle gets an upgrade in name. It\u2019s now called the Samsung Galaxy Fold8 Ultra.<\/p>\n
It shares the same AMOLED display quality, updated battery blend (silicon-carbon), chipset (Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy), and mechanisms (Flex Titanium display module, upgraded hinge and bevelled edge design) as its passport counterpart<\/u>. Practically, every key upgrade \u2013 right down to Galaxy AI add-ons \u2013 can be found on both Galaxy Fold8 Ultra and the Fold8.<\/p>\n
Changes unique to the bookstyle come from its higher pixel resolution on its main, 8-inch, 10:9 aspect ratio panel, an improved 50MP ultrawide camera, and a larger battery (now 5,000mAh, up from 4,400mAh) with faster charging (45W wired, 25W wireless). Other aspects that worked well in its predecessor were unchanged, like its 200MP main camera and an angular silhouette with a mildly oversized camera housing.<\/p>\n\nSamsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, face down.<\/p>\n
Photo: HWZ<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
What stayed the same feels strange. Despite such a massive upgrade in name (Ultra, leh<\/i>), the phone didn\u2019t regain S Pen compatibility (it was lost with the Fold7), and the telephoto camera (3x optical zoom) wasn\u2019t swapped for a longer optical zoom distance. The rated dust and water protection (IP48) also stayed stagnant, despite rivals like the Honor Magic V6 (certified IP68 and IP69) and OPPO Find N6 (IP56, IP58, and IP59) already going beyond.<\/p>\n
While we know better not to judge a phone by its marketing name, the word \u201cUltra\u201d has become synonymous with the best Android phones<\/u> that money can buy. Ultra phones don\u2019t simply stop at sufficient or current-generation technology. This is true even within Samsung, which is also represented by a very capable bar-type handset, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Coupled with the memory shortage driving up prices for basic digital goods and services, the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra now starts at\u00a0S$2,798<\/b>\u00a0for 256GB,\u00a0S$100 higher than its predecessor\u2019s official retail price.<\/p>\n
How does the rebranded foldable compare to other tantalising rivals we already have? Is there still more room for improvement on Samsung\u2019s part? We find out in this review.<\/p>\n
Ultra\u2019s bigger than the rest, but it\u2019s not harder to use<\/h2>\n\n(L to R): Fold8 Ultra, Fold8, Flip8<\/p>\n
Photo: HWZ<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
We\u2019re happy to report that the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra\u2019s handling is vastly improved from its predecessor, thanks to one key upgrade to its physicality: bevelled edges. We\u2019ve already explained how it works in our Galaxy Z Fold8 review,<\/u> and the Ultra\u2019s version of this is felt more keenly since it has a much longer body (thus, more to work with, and more to be careful with).<\/p>\n
The rest of its design is virtually identical to the Fold7. Weight (215g) and thickness (8.9mm) remained unchanged, so users of even older Samsung bookstyle foldables would find it even more pleasant to use than the Fold7 thanks to the new edges.\u00a0<\/p>\n\nGalaxy Z Fold8 Ultra side profile<\/p>\n
Photo: HWZ<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Similarly, the old design flaw stays. A lumpy triple rear camera housing makes it difficult to place the folded Ultra on the desk with the lenses facing down, but that\u2019s to be expected if we want the rest of the device to stay impossibly thin.<\/p>\n\nThe display improvements also see better glare reduction versus its predcessor.<\/p>\n
Photo: HWZ<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
We\u2019re also very satisfied with both its 6.5-inch<\/b> (21:9 aspect ratio) external display, and 8-inch<\/b> (10:9 aspect ratio) main display. While the form factor didn’t change, the bigger panel got a slight bump in pixel density (now ~421 PPI, up from Fold7\u2019s ~367 PPI). That\u2019s a 14% denser grouping of pixels per inch, which makes for a finer rendition of your content and better sharpness even when running apps in split-screen mode.<\/p>\n\nFlex Titanium. This display module support technology is shared with the Ultra, too.<\/p>\n
Photo: HWZ<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Also important is the new Flex Titanium<\/b> display module, which helps to make the Ultra appear crease-free. It was a genuine struggle to spot the indented line when the display is active, and you only get a hint of it when the phone is idling. It’s still obvious to the touch, but we\u2019ll take any improvements we can get from the Koreans.<\/p>\n\nLetterboxing demonstration of a standard 16:9 YouTube music video on 8-inch Main Screen.<\/p>\n
Photo: HWZ<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
We think this upgrade makes sense for the 8-inch panel since you\u2019ll likely see upsized versions of your favourite YouTube videos, TikTok clips, and even websites. We\u2019ll also be honest: these changes (the higher pixel density and less visible crease) weren\u2019t immediately noticeable the first time we came across the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, so the upgrades feel muted at first glance.<\/p>\n\nLetterboxing demonstration of a standard 16:9 YouTube music video on 6.5-inch Cover Screen.<\/p>\n
Photo: HWZ<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
This also clarifies how the Ultra\u2019s dual screens should work for you. In videos, the bigger display lets you catch minute details, and you can reduce letterboxing by watching content horizontally (buttons facing the sky). Reading also fares better here, since every line gets more room to breathe across the panel.<\/p>\n
While the narrower outer display works just fine for those use cases, it fares better for mobile gaming that needs both thumbs, since the folded body provides extra palm grip. It\u2019s also more convenient for texting, since a longer body fits more lines of past messages in your DMs.<\/p>\n\nSamsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, all standard retail colours (the fourth is Samsung exclusive).<\/p>\n
Photo: HWZ<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
We doubt we need to describe the Ultra\u2019s value-add of two displays any further given Samsung had seven generations of selling it to users. But what needs saying are its overdue areas for improvement. IP48 rating for dust and water resistance feels a little long in the tooth when Chinese-branded foldables are going up to IP69K these days.<\/p>\n
Same software perks as the Fold8, except for its multitasking<\/h2>\n\nMulti-tasking on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra is the main reason why you need its 8-inch display.<\/p>\n
Photo: HWZ<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
With One UI 9 (based on Android 17) running the show, the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra\u2019s software is identical to the passport-shaped Fold8. We won\u2019t repeat the improvements made to Bixby, Now Brief, and Now Nudge. These three (along with Galaxy AI) are the primary changes to an otherwise stable, refined, yet feature-filled operating system. Don\u2019t forget it still keeps its Galaxy S26 series add-ons, like Call Screening.<\/p>\n
Because of the focused efforts made to improve its agentic AI experience, app multitasking on the Ultra remained largely unchanged from the Fold7. You can do two side-by-side vertical apps with a third floating app window that\u2019s resizeable. Oddly enough, it can do three apps on-screen (with the floating window being the fourth app). However, two of them become squares that share half a panel, which isn’t ideal for users who need three tall apps side by side. Perhaps Samsung can consider that as an option.<\/p>\n