Samsung · Reviewed by Marques Brownlee · Published 2026-08-01
Based on a review by Marques Brownlee (accessed 2026-08-01).
Based on this review alone: buy it if you care about genuinely new form factor with a thinner, more squared-off design — just accept app compatibility issues with unique aspect ratios, sometimes rendering apps unusable (e.g., crossplay game).
Despite uncovering several flaws and quirks after the initial 'honeymoon phase,' Marques Brownlee still "really like[s] it." He concludes that while its $1,900 price point and certain compromises make it objectively unconvincing on paper, it appeals to a specific audience looking for a genuinely new and novel smartphone experience.
Marques Brownlee reviews the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 after a week of daily use, evaluating its design, displays, battery performance, and software experience. The review provides an in-depth look at both the advantages and disadvantages of the foldable phone's unique form factor.
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is an exciting and compelling foldable phone that largely succeeds in offering a genuinely new user experience despite its significant price tag. Its redesigned thinner and more squared-off form factor makes it easier to handle, and the front display allows for impressive one-handed use, even for the camera UI. However, the lack of a telephoto lens and generally "fine" camera performance are notable downsides for a premium device. If you desire a truly novel smartphone experience and can afford its high cost, this device is a strong contender, particularly if you prioritize the dual-screen productivity. If top-tier camera performance is your absolute priority, consider traditional slab phones instead.
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The Z Fold 8 features a 5.5-inch diagonal, slightly rectangular AMOLED outer display that is noted for being bright and sharp, a hallmark of Samsung displays.
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The phone's squared-off design with relatively even bezels makes it easy and satisfying to open and close, described as feeling like a notebook.
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The power button/fingerprint reader is perfectly aligned with the finger during a natural grip, and almost the entire outer display is reachable with one hand, which is uncommon for phones today.
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The camera UI has been designed with all essential buttons moved to the right-hand side, making every function reachable with one hand on the screen.
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When opened, the phone reveals a perfectly 4:3 aspect ratio, high-refresh-rate AMOLED display with a new anti-reflective coating, and Samsung's Titanium Flex Hinge does a "B+" job at minimizing the crease.
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The inner screen is wide enough for two side-by-side apps for productivity, good for reading in vertical app mode, and plays widescreen videos larger than the Ultra due to its 4:3 aspect ratio.
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The Z Fold 8 is described as a "nice thin piece of hardware" that is comfortable to hold for long periods.
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The phone is equipped with the new Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor.
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The 4,800 mAh battery provides all-day power even with heavy big screen use, and it recharges at a respectable 45 watts, which is faster than any previous Samsung folding phone.
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The reviewer demonstrated that some apps, like "Crossplay," are critically broken by the phone's aspect ratios, making them unplayable due to inaccessible buttons.
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The Z Fold 8's hinge design means there is no "Flex Mode" or stable halfway open position, a feature present on models like the Ultra.
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When the phone is open, both speakers are on the left side, causing a noticeable lopsided stereo sound when watching full-screen videos.
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Aligning the phone on certain wireless chargers, especially vertical car chargers, is difficult. The lack of built-in magnets means many chargers are unusable without a magnetic case.
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The phone has a 50MP primary and 50MP ultrawide, but no telephoto. Photos are described as "fine" but lack flagship sharpness, color, and low-light performance.
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The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is noted to be a $1,900 phone, which makes its camera shortcomings particularly impactful.
Marques Brownlee praises the Z Fold 8's 5.5-inch outer AMOLED display, noting its brightness and sharpness. He highlights its design with even bezels and a squared-off shape, contributing to easy opening and closing. Furthermore, he finds almost the entire display reachable with one hand, which is a rare feat for modern phones.
The Z Fold 8 is equipped with a 4,800 milliamp-hour battery, which Marques Brownlee confirms delivers all-day usage. This holds true even with significant use of the larger foldable screen, and it supports 45-watt fast charging, making it the fastest charging Samsung foldable to date.
Marques Brownlee experienced significant app compatibility problems, noting that not every app functions correctly with the phone's unique aspect ratios. He demonstrated a game where the "play" button was completely inaccessible, rendering it unplayable. Other apps may display with awkward black bars or blank space.
Due to its upgraded spring-loaded hinge, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 does not support a "Flex Mode" or a stable halfway open position, unlike models such as the Ultra. While it can be manually propped open, there's no software optimization to take advantage of this, reducing its utility for certain hands-free scenarios.
The Z Fold 8 features a 50-megapixel primary and a 50-megapixel ultra-wide camera, but it lacks a telephoto lens entirely. Marques Brownlee describes the photos as merely "fine," noting they aren't super sharp, don't have incredible colors, or great low-light performance, falling short of what's expected from a $1,900 flagship phone.
At $1,900, Marques Brownlee states that the Z Fold 8 is "objectively on paper, actually kind of not that convincing." He points to its smaller outer and inner screens, average cameras, and the same chip as other flagships as factors that make the high price hard to justify. However, he concludes it could be worth it for buyers who prioritize a genuinely new form factor and have the budget.
75/100 source quality
Marques Brownlee shares his long-term review of the Galaxy Z Fold 8, detailing how its thinner and squared-off design, coupled with a bright 5.5-inch outer display, enhances one-handed use. The inner 4:3 AMOLED display with an anti-reflective coating and a minimized crease offers versatility for dual apps and media. The phone features a Snapdragon 8 Elite chip and a 4,800 mAh battery with 45W charging. However, the review highlights significant drawbacks including app compatibility issues, the absence of 'Flex Mode,' lopsided stereo sound when open, and difficulties with wireless charging due to a lack of built-in magnets. Camera performance is rated as merely "fine," lacking flagship quality, a notable concern for its $1,900 price.
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