Samsung Z Fold8 Review - Bigger Changes, Bigger Compromises

What Is the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8?

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 is a book-style foldable smartphone developed and manufactured by Samsung Electronics. It was unveiled during Samsung's July Unpacked event and represents a significant redesign of the company's flagship foldable line, featuring a shorter, wider chassis with a 4:3 aspect ratio on its internal display. The device is designed to function as both a compact smartphone and a mini tablet, addressing the need for a larger viewing area without sacrificing portability.

The Galaxy Z Fold8 is positioned as a premium alternative to the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, offering a lighter form factor at 201g while retaining core flagship specifications. It is available in Malaysia with a starting price of RM7,299.

Key Facts

How Does the Galaxy Z Fold8's Redesign Affect Usability?

The Galaxy Z Fold8's new passport-sized design makes it noticeably shorter and wider than its predecessor, the Galaxy Z Fold7, and its sibling, the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra. This form factor change directly impacts how the device is held, operated, and perceived, with both notable benefits and significant drawbacks in daily use.

The device's width distributes weight evenly across both halves when unfolded, and at 201g, it is light enough to disappear in a pocket. However, the wider chassis makes one-handed operation problematic, even for users with fairly large hands. The reviewer noted frequent accidental inputs and app closures when attempting single-handed use. The smooth glass back, while premium-feeling, is also described as "incredibly slick," increasing the risk of dropping the device.

The Galaxy Z Fold8's 4:3 aspect ratio reduces black bars during video playback but introduces compatibility issues with many third-party applications not optimized for this shape.

What Is the Performance of the Galaxy Z Fold8?

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen5 5 SoC paired with 12GB of RAM, delivering flagship-level performance across gaming, streaming, and multitasking. The reviewer reported no instances of slowdown, even when running multiple demanding applications simultaneously.

Gaming on the device is described as "surprisingly pleasant," with the wide aspect ratio preventing hand cramping during extended sessions. The reviewer compared the experience to playing on "a very thin 3DS." The improved hinge also makes the internal display crease nearly invisible and imperceptible to the touch. However, the device does exhibit thermal management issues, warming up quickly during gaming, streaming, or benchmarking, particularly when unfolded.

"There was never a moment when it felt like the phone was slowing down, even when I was gaming, browsing, streaming, or doing all three simultaneously."

— Lowyat.NET review of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8

Benchmark and stress tests confirmed the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen5 maintains consistent performance, but the chassis heats up rapidly under sustained load without reaching concerning temperatures.

How Is the Camera System on the Galaxy Z Fold8?

The Galaxy Z Fold8 features a dual rear camera system consisting of a 50MP wide sensor and a 50MP ultrawide lens, along with 10MP selfie cameras on both the internal and external displays. The absence of a telephoto lens is a notable compromise that limits the device's long-distance photography capabilities.

In well-lit conditions, the camera produces vivid and detailed images, with portrait mode delivering natural bokeh that is not overly harsh. The 10MP selfie camera also performs well for capturing people. However, the lack of a telephoto lens means the device relies on AI enhancement for zoomed shots. The phone retains acceptable detail up to 2x zoom, but quality degrades significantly beyond that point. Night photography is passable at standard zoom, with AI brightening images, but becomes increasingly grainy at higher zoom levels.

The Galaxy Z Fold8's camera system excels in standard and portrait photography but is critically limited by the absence of a telephoto lens, with image quality deteriorating sharply beyond 2x zoom.

What Is the Battery Life of the Galaxy Z Fold8?

The Galaxy Z Fold8 is equipped with a 4,800mAh battery, a significant increase from the 4,400mAh cell in the Galaxy Z Fold7. Despite the capacity bump, real-world battery performance is described as disappointing by the reviewer.

In continuous video playback testing, the device lasted approximately nine hours and 30 minutes on the internal display, while the external screen barely exceeded 10 hours. As a daily driver, the reviewer managed to get roughly a day and a half of use before requiring a charge. The device supports 45W wired charging, which can top up the battery in under an hour, but this may be insufficient consolation for users expecting longer endurance from the larger battery.

Despite a 400mAh capacity increase over the Galaxy Z Fold7, the Fold8's 4,800mAh battery delivers only modest endurance, lasting about 9.5 hours in continuous video playback on the internal display.

What Are the Main Drawbacks of the Galaxy Z Fold8?

The Galaxy Z Fold8's unique form factor introduces several compromises that may deter potential buyers. These include app compatibility issues, the absence of Flex mode, unbalanced speakers, and a slick glass back that complicates one-handed use.

Many applications are not designed for the 4:3 aspect ratio, resulting in broken layouts or excessive blank space. Instagram Reels sometimes require multiple taps to play, and Facebook leaves significant unused screen area. The hinge does not support Flex mode, limiting the device to either a 35-degree angle or fully unfolded positions. Additionally, the speakers are located on only one side of the foldable, creating an unbalanced audio experience without earphones. The smooth glass back is also prone to slipping, and most MagSafe accessories do not work well due to the shorter chassis and lack of built-in magnets.

The Galaxy Z Fold8's wider design causes critical app compatibility failures, and the omission of Flex mode and a telephoto camera represent intentional feature segmentation from Samsung.

How Does the Galaxy Z Fold8 Compare to the Galaxy Z Fold7?

The Galaxy Z Fold8 and its predecessor, the Galaxy Z Fold7, offer distinct trade-offs for potential buyers. The Fold7 provides a larger screen, a telephoto camera, and a more conventional form factor, while the Fold8 introduces a wider design with a 4:3 aspect ratio at a slightly lower price.

The Galaxy Z Fold8 undercuts the Fold7's launch price by RM500 but sacrifices the telephoto camera and adopts a wider form factor that may not suit all users.

Who Is the Galaxy Z Fold8 For?

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 is best suited for users seeking a lightweight, portable foldable with a unique viewing experience for video streaming and gaming. It appeals to those who prioritize a compact device that transforms into a mini tablet with minimal black bars during media playback.

The device is less ideal for users who rely on one-handed operation, require telephoto photography capabilities, or depend on a wide range of third-party applications that may not be optimized for the 4:3 aspect ratio. It is also a viable entry point for first-time foldable buyers, given its lower price compared to the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra and the Galaxy Z Fold7 at launch.

The Galaxy Z Fold8 targets users who value a lightweight, wide-screen media experience and are willing to accept app compatibility issues and camera limitations in exchange for a lower price than competing foldables.

Common Questions

Does the Galaxy Z Fold8 have a telephoto camera?

No, the Galaxy Z Fold8 does not include a telephoto lens. It features only two rear cameras: a 50MP wide sensor and a 50MP ultrawide lens. The absence of a telephoto lens limits long-distance photography, with image quality degrading significantly beyond 2x zoom.

Why do some apps not work properly on the Galaxy Z Fold8?

Many applications are not optimized for the Galaxy Z Fold8's 4:3 aspect ratio. This causes layout issues, such as Instagram Reels requiring multiple taps to play and Facebook displaying excessive blank space. Users can shrink apps to standard smartphone dimensions, but this negates the benefit of the larger internal display.

How long does the Galaxy Z Fold8 battery last?

The Galaxy Z Fold8's 4,800mAh battery lasts approximately nine hours and 30 minutes in continuous video playback on the internal display and just over 10 hours on the external screen. As a daily driver, the reviewer achieved roughly a day and a half of use before needing to charge.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based exclusively on the original review published by Lowyat.NET: "Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Review: Bigger Changes, Bigger Compromises" (https://www.lowyat.net/2026/403159/samsung-galaxy-z-fold8-review/). All specifications, performance observations, pricing information, and direct quotes are drawn from this source.

Prices are reported in Malaysian Ringgit (RM) as stated in the original review. No currency conversion was applied. The review was based on approximately one month of daily driver usage by the original author.

This article was last updated on [current date].