Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8: First Impressions

We had gone through plenty of leaks and rumors ahead of launch, but getting the Galaxy Z Fold 8 in hand still delivered a few genuine surprises.

Form Factor: Closer to a Regular Phone When Folded

Closed, the Z Fold 8 sits at a 10:16 aspect ratio — a notable departure from the Z Fold 8 Ultra’s more elongated 21:9 candy-bar profile. The result feels much closer to a conventional smartphone in the hand, and single-handed use remains comfortable.

The trade-off is a shorter overall footprint: scrolling through social feeds or chat threads shows a bit less content at a glance than a typical slab phone. Still, it displays noticeably more than the cover screen on the Z Flip series.

Unfolded, the display shifts to a 4:3 ratio. Photos shot in 4:3 (landscape) or 3:4 (portrait) fill the screen edge to edge, though standard 16:9 or 9:16 video content will show letterboxing or pillarboxing.

Worth noting: the closed footprint is roughly passport-sized, offering more usable screen real estate than the Z Flip line while staying just as pocketable. It’s a design direction that hints at where Samsung’s foldables might be headed — a future where the Fold line could eventually take over the compact-foldable role the Flip series occupies today.

Thinner, With Fewer Creases

Unfolded, the Z Fold 8 measures just 4.5mm at its thinnest point — genuinely impressive for a book-style foldable.

The crease is also noticeably shallower than on previous generations, and less visible in everyday use. Hinge resistance has been dialed back too, making the phone easier to open one-handed, with a lighter, smoother feel throughout the fold-and-unfold motion.

Cameras: A More Modest Two-Lens Setup

On the imaging side, the Z Fold 8 sticks with a two-camera array on the back. Compared to the triple- or quad-camera setups now common on flagship rivals, it’s a spec sheet that feels a touch conservative for a device at this price point.

Colorways: Pink Tones Signal a Female-Skewing Audience

Beyond the standard black and white options, Samsung is offering the Z Fold 8 in Lavender Purple and Pistachio Green finishes. The pastel palette makes it fairly clear who Samsung is courting with these particular colorways.