Samsung · Reviewed by Dave2D · Published 2026-07-22
Based on a review by Dave2D (accessed 2026-07-22).
Based on this review alone: worth considering for short and wide form factor feels great in hand, but historically, this short foldable form factor has failed for other brands is a real trade-off.
The reviewer questions Samsung's shift to a short, wide foldable design, noting that other companies have historically abandoned this form factor after failure. He theorizes Samsung is either pre-empting an rumored Apple foldable or that technology has finally caught up to make this design viable, concluding that only time will tell if the market wants short foldables.
Dave2D provides a first look at the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, focusing on its new short, wide form factor. He discusses its design, display, media consumption capabilities, camera system, and compares it to previous foldables and the larger Z Fold Ultra.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 is a bold shift into a short and wide foldable form factor, succeeding in design and portability where other brands have previously failed. It achieves a remarkable thinness of 4.5 mm when open and weighs barely 200g, making it lighter than many traditional flagships, while the hinge mechanism is smooth and the crease is significantly reduced. However, its wider form factor makes it less ideal for extensive multitasking or work-related tasks compared to taller foldables. If you prioritize a compact, lightweight device for consuming 16x9 or 4x3 video content, this phone is a strong contender. If your primary use for a foldable is productivity and split-screen work, you should consider the taller Fold 8 Ultra.
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The reviewer introduces the Samsung Z Fold 8 as a new 'short foldable' design, distinguishing it from the 'Z Fold Ultra' which retains the classic tall foldable shape.
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The reviewer notes that Google with the Pixel Fold and Oppo with the Find N1/N2 had previously tried similar short, stout foldable designs, but ultimately abandoned them in favor of taller styles.
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The phone is described as very thin at 4.5 mm when open and remarkably light, barely weighing 200g, which is lighter than most slab flagships.
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The reviewer states that the Z Fold 8 feels really nice in hand because of its light weight and book-like shape. The hinge mechanism is described as very smooth and thin, shared across Samsung's new foldable lineup.
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The phone is noted to be IP48 water resistant.
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The reviewer observes that the crease on the Z Fold 8 when opened is definitely reduced compared to prior Galaxy Fold models, though it's still visible and not as 'creaseless' as the Oppo Find N6.
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In its closed position, the phone feels like a stout, normal phone. However, the reviewer, with average hand size, struggles to reach across the full width of the front screen.
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The reviewer demonstrates that when the Z Fold 8 is opened, standard 16x9 videos are significantly larger, appearing 30 to 40% bigger than on a typical large slab phone and even slightly bigger than on the Fold 8 Ultra.
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Wide cinematic content will have large black bars on the Z Fold 8's open screen. However, 4x3 content (like classic TV) and photos taken in 4x3 will magnificently fill the entire display.
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The reviewer points out that when watching vertical videos (like YouTube shorts) on the closed screen, there is no benefit, and the content appears smaller. To get the largest vertical canvas, the user must open and rotate the phone.
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The speakers are described as fine and decently loud. However, when the Z Fold 8 is open in its book orientation (unrotated), stereo sound only emanates from the left side, which is different from the typical classic fold experience.
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For productivity and multitasking, the reviewer suggests the taller screen of the Z Fold Ultra is superior, offering more spaciousness for viewing multiple apps like email and spreadsheets simultaneously.
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The Z Fold 8 features a two-camera system, including a 50-megapixel main lens and a 50-megapixel ultrawide lens, but notably does not include a telephoto lens, which is present on the Fold Ultra.
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The reviewer notes that the Z Fold 8's battery is surprisingly large, even though the device itself is thinner than the preceding generation.
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The reviewer expresses frustration that foldable phones, including the new Z Fold 8, are still expensive after seven years, highlighting a barrier to broader market adoption.
The Samsung Z Fold 8 introduces a new 'short foldable' form factor, resembling a compact book. It's notably thin at 4.5 mm when open and light, weighing barely 200g, which contributes to a nice feel in hand. This new design is a significant shift from the classic tall foldable shape, which is now represented by the Z Fold Ultra.
The Z Fold 8 comes with an IP48 water resistance rating, offering a decent level of protection. While the screen crease has been definitely reduced compared to previous generations of Galaxy Folds, it is still visible, especially when tilting the screen, and isn't as 'creaseless' as some competitor devices.
When opened, the Z Fold 8 provides a significant upgrade for 16x9 videos, making them 30-40% larger than on a large slab phone and even slightly larger than on the Fold 8 Ultra. It excels with 4x3 content and photos, which fill the entire screen. However, wide cinematic content will have large black bars. Vertical videos (shorts) do not benefit from the closed screen and require opening and rotating the device for the largest viewing canvas.
The Z Fold 8's wider screen necessitates a split keyboard for comfortable typing. However, for serious multitasking and work-related applications, the reviewer finds the taller screen of the Z Fold Ultra to be superior. The Fold Ultra's aspect ratio offers more spaciousness for viewing multiple apps like email and spreadsheets simultaneously, making it a better choice for productivity-focused users.
The Z Fold 8 is equipped with a two-camera system. It includes a 50-megapixel main camera and a 50-megapixel ultrawide camera. However, it notably does not feature a telephoto lens; this triple-camera system with a telephoto is reserved for the Z Fold Ultra.
The Z Fold 8 comes with a battery that is larger than expected, especially considering the device itself is thinner than the previous generation. Despite advancements, the reviewer notes that foldable phones, including the Z Fold 8, continue to be expensive, expressing frustration that prices have not significantly decreased over seven years.
60/100 source quality
In this first look, Dave2D examines the new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, which adopts a compact, short, and wide book-like shape, departing from Samsung's traditional tall foldable design. He discusses the potential reasons for this shift, including rumors of Apple's entry into the foldable market and advancements in foldable technology allowing for a thin and light device. The review covers the phone's physical attributes like its thinness, lightness, IP48 water resistance, and reduced screen crease. It also evaluates the media viewing experience, one-handed usability, speaker performance, camera specifications, and battery size. The reviewer questions the viability of this form factor given previous failures by other manufacturers and notes that foldable phones remain expensive.
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This page converts Dave2D's review of the Samsung Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 into structured evidence — timestamped claims, pros & cons, and buyer questions. It is not the original review and does not replace watching or reading the full source.
Brand relationship disclosed as: gifted