Samsung has officially unveiled the Galaxy Z Fold 8, the first Fold-series phone from the company with a radically wider and shorter design compared to previous generations, making it the ideal choice for fans of video watching and media content.

The new design offers a better visual experience in both portrait and landscape orientations, poised to directly compete with Apple's anticipated foldable phones.

Two dynamic screens for versatile use

The phone features a 5.5-inch external display alongside a 7.6-inch foldable internal display, both using Dynamic AMOLED 2X technology with variable refresh rates from 1 to 120 Hz, and support for HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG.

The internal screen reaches a brightness of 3000 nits with anti-reflective technology for clear visibility in daylight.

The cover screen's aspect ratio of 10:16 is ideal for vertical social media content and short-form video browsing, while the internal screen with a 4:3 (landscape) or 3:4 (portrait) ratio offers great workspace for productivity, multitasking, and video viewing.

Weighing only 201 grams, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is the lightest foldable phone in Samsung's history, and even lighter than the regular S26 Ultra.

Samsung's achievements also include the phone's thickness, coming in at 9.7 mm when folded and just 4.5 mm when unfolded, with an IP48 rating for dust and water resistance.

The phone features a 4800 mAh battery – larger than its predecessor Fold 7 – with support for 45W fast charging (0-63% in 30 minutes), 20W wireless charging, and the new Qi2 technology.

Dual camera system and advanced shooting options

The Fold 8 carries two rear cameras (primary 50 MP – one ultra-wide), and two front cameras at 10 MP (one for each screen), with support for 4K/60 fps video recording and up to 8K/30 fps from the rear cameras, plus new AI features such as the My FanCam capability.

Advanced technical specifications and long-term support

Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy processor

12 GB RAM with storage options of 256 or 512 GB, or 16 GB with 1 TB capacity

Modern connectivity: 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, NFC, UWB

Side fingerprint sensor, stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos, support for Quick Share and Samsung DeX

The phone ships directly with One UI 9.0, along with a promise of seven years of system and Android security updates.

It also supports, for the first time, 'Advanced Automation' features relying on Google Gemini for artificial intelligence.

Key software and functionality highlights

The phone supports new Galaxy AI features such as the advanced version of Now Nudge, which provides smart shortcuts in the keyboard and notifications, and facilitates handling locations and tasks quickly.

Prices, colors, and availability

It starts at $1,899 USD (12/256 GB).

Options of 12/512 GB and 16/1 TB for $2,099 and $2,499 respectively.

Colors: Cream, Graphite, Lavender, and an exclusive 'Pistachio' variant via Samsung's online store.

Initial impressions

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 represents the biggest design leap in the Fold series, with a focus on portability, daily usability, and multimedia superiority.

It may lack some features of higher-end models or Flex Mode, but it represents a qualitative leap with a combination of light weight, wider screen, and practical design that brings the foldable experience closer to a broader audience than ever before.