Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Announced to Compete With Future iPhone Fold

At a Galaxy Unpacked event in London today, Samsung unveiled a new foldable smartphone designed to compete with the still-unannounced iPhone Fold. Called the Galaxy Z Fold 8, it features a wider 4:3 form factor with a 7.6-inch inner AMOLED display, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chip, up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. "The inner display has enough extra real estate for multi-tasking and entertainment," reports Mashable, which got a chance to try the new foldable ahead of the event. "And if you're worried about a crease in the middle of the display, don't be. We got up close with the device, and the crease fully disappears when the display is activated." From the report: As stated above, the main distinguishing factor of the new Z Fold 8 is its wider 4:3 proportions compared to the Z Fold 8 Ultra. If the latter is a book-style foldable, the former can almost be called a tablet-style foldable, instead. We think the wide screen will serve even better for reading books or multi-tasking with several apps open at once.

Also, at 201g, Samsung is really emphasizing how light the device is. The company is calling it the "world's lightest fold ever." And while the device may be light, its no lightweight. Samsung's newest foldable features Flex Titanium technology, which makes the Galaxy Z Fold 8 more durable. Speaking of durability, it also boasts Samsung's advantage hinge technology, Armor Flexhinge.

The Z Fold 8 feels like a solid middle point between the premium Z Fold 8 Ultra and the comparatively affordable Z Flip 8. All three phones use the same chip, but the Z Fold 8's 4,800mAh battery is smaller than that of the Z Fold 8 Ultra. However, the Z Fold 8 does have an option for 16GB RAM and 1TB of storage, similar to the Ultra.

Sad to see stylus go

[Gilgaron]

Still no return of the stylus functionality. I have a Fold4 and without the stylus I'm not sure the form factor would be worth the expense and fragility. I was already thinking that when it came time to replace it I'd go with an Ultra for durability (definitely made use of the extended warranty coverage on the F4) and lack of stylus really seals the deal. A big screen you can multitask on is handy at times but still not quite great enough to not be worth getting up to find a proper computer and mouse.

Re:

[dbialac]

I've had 5 Z-Flips. 1st gen, 3, 2x 4s, and a 5. The 4 was the last well though out phone. You can drop it and earlier editions and it's nearly indestructible without a case. My 1st gen only died a few weeks ago when there was a short between the bottom and top portions of the screen. 6 years old, 5 weeks of being dropped over and over multiple times per day in the hospital by hospital staff in 2021 and it kept working and the screen never cracked. The 5 was a turning point. They added a large screen to the

That's cool

[necro81]

That's cool and all. Samsung has done a lot to develop their foldable screens, and it's nice to see them playing around with the form factor.

On the other hand, MSRP $1899?! I don't think I'd be willing to pay even 1/3 that for my next phone. Plus: although the foldable tech is neat in demos, Samsung probably hasn't eliminated the crease problem, nor the fact that the screen's surface is very scratchable plastic. I guess capitalism is gonna do it's thing, and there'll be some folks that'll eat this up. I just won't be one of 'em.

Re:

[AmiMoJo]

MKBHD reviewed it, and said that the crease is about an 8.5 out of 10. Honor have completely eliminated it, and Samsung is almost there.

Not that I think it matters. Apparently when in use you don't notice the crease at all, except for a slight sensation when sliding your finger over it.

It's too expensive for me too. But I'm amused that Samsung have got the jump on Apple. Apparently Apple's coming foldable is going to be the same "passport" shape as the Galaxy Fold 8, so now Samsung can say that Apple is cop

Re:

[badboy_tw2002]

It doesn't matter what they say. Whenever the Apple version launches, that will be when a company like Apple was brave enough to launch such an innovative device that no one else ever thought to do. Truly they are the inventive minds of our time, and we should be so lucky to get an iFold of our own, on sale now for $3500.

Re:

[tlhIngan]

The problem is you can't make the screen from glass (less scratchable) as glass has a really huge bend radius before it shatters. While research continues on the front, there are just a lot of stresses in glass that make it hard to make bendable glass.

So you're going to have to use plastic, which allows for a really flexible sheet, but even it has its plastic limits and if you bend it too tightly it will crease because the radius stresses exceed the plastic deformation limits.

So in the end, you can get it

Re:

[Xenx]

The problem is you can't make the screen from glass (less scratchable) as glass has a really huge bend radius before it shatters.

They do make the screens out of glass. The issue is that when the glass is that thin, around 45-60 microns, it doesn't have the same hardness or durability. They need to reinforce it with a "plastic" screen protector. From what I've read, it also sounds like the protector also helps minimize the crease.

Re:

[dbialac]

I've owned 5 Z-Flips. Never had issues. The crease, while there, visually disappears when you're looking at the screen.

Re:

[necro81]

I've owned 5 Z-Flips. Never had issues.

You've owned five phones in the last six years? Either you're lying in saying you've never had issues, or you've not had any one phone long enough for issues to show up. That's like saying "my car's never had issues - I buy a new one every year!"

Re:

[dbialac]

Or that I've had 5 phones in 6 years. I'm not accountable to you, but here it goes:

• Bought the initial phone. I required a dual sim phone because of extensive overseas travel.
• Bought the 3 because I wanted the upgrades. I continued to use the original strictly for business purposes.
• Traded in the 3 for a 5 because Samsung offered a great upgrade offer. The phone was later stolen.
• Bought a 4 as a replacement. I hated the huge screen on the exterior of the 5 because it made the phone less durable.
• Bought a

Foldables, sounds like planned obsolescence

[drnb]

Foldables, sounds like planned obsolescence. Bending a material is often a great way to wear it out and cause a failure. I’m sure it will last for the warranty period, but beyond that? Bad news for the used phone market. Or for people who don’t see making that last payment on the current phone as reason to go buy a newer one, restarting the payment plan.

Re:

[taustin]

It's like VR glasses. An expensive toy that tech bros want to sell that nobody wants to buy or really has any use for.

If you never but it in the first place because it's pointless, you don't care how long it lasts.

Re:

[badboy_tw2002]

I can think of a few uses, such as being able to read a document or something on the go. My phone is too small, and I don't want to bring a laptop or tablet with me. But I think a six inch screen is too small still, so yeah, not sure what people are using this version for.

Isn't it the other way around?

[sabbede]

Since Samsung announced and unveiled theirs first, doesn't that mean the unannounced foldable iPhone will compete with it?

If the Samsung really folds 8 times

[nospam007]

...then they have big pockets.