Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 — a foldable smartphone that has become more practical
With each new generation, foldable smartphones gradually eliminate compromises that were once considered inevitable. In the case of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8, the changes are noticeable not only in the technical specifications but also in everyday use. The manufacturer has made the body approximately 11% thinner, reduced the weight to 201 g, which is 24 g less than the previous generation, increased the peak brightness of the inner display by almost 18%, while redesigned image-processing algorithms have improved photo detail by approximately 15% and expanded dynamic range by nearly 12%. Thanks to the more energy-efficient processor, battery life has increased by approximately 10%, so the battery drains noticeably more slowly by the end of the day. This format will particularly appeal to those who frequently work with documents, read, communicate across several applications at once, enjoy mobile photography, or simply want a large screen without having to carry a tablet.
Design and feel
When you first pick up the Galaxy Z Fold8, the body thickness is one of the first things you notice. It measures around 9.7 mm when folded, whereas previous generations felt noticeably bulkier. The reinforced aluminum frame feels cool and pleasant to the touch, while the matte glass barely collects fingerprints, keeping the exterior looking neat even without a case. Despite the large inner display, the weight distribution has been improved: the center of gravity feels closer to the middle of the body, making the smartphone more comfortable to hold with one hand while reading or messaging.
Display and camera
The 7.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X inner display supports an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120 Hz and reaches a peak brightness of around 3000 nits. Under direct sunlight, text and photos are easier to read than on the previous model, while colors look vivid without feeling artificially oversaturated. The crease is also less noticeable when watching videos or browsing web pages. The 50 MP main camera focuses on moving subjects more quickly, stabilization keeps the frame steadier when shooting on the move, and fine details look more natural at night thanks to improved noise processing. When photographing cityscapes or sunsets, transitions between bright and dark areas are preserved much more accurately.
Performance and software features
The device is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy processor, combined with 12 or 16 GB of RAM and up to 1 TB of storage. Compared with the previous generation, CPU performance has increased by approximately 25%, while the graphics subsystem has gained nearly 30%, which can be felt in demanding games and when running several applications simultaneously. The One UI 9 interface based on Android 17 switches quickly between windows, while animations remain smooth even when the screen is divided into three working areas. Artificial intelligence helps translate text, summarize documents, edit photos, and search for information directly on the screen. Compared with the Google Pixel Fold and Honor Magic V5, Samsung's interface offers more flexible multitasking and better adaptation of applications to the large display.
Battery life
The 4800 mAh battery has not changed in capacity, but the new processor uses energy more efficiently. As a result, the screen can remain active for around 8–9 hours with mixed usage. One hour of YouTube playback reduces the charge by approximately 5–6%, GPS navigation consumes around 10–12% per hour, while modern games can drain 18–20% over the same period. In everyday use with messaging, music, browsing, and social networks, the smartphone comfortably lasts until late evening, while support for 45W wired charging allows most of the battery to be replenished in less than an hour.
Final thoughts
After several days of use, it becomes clear that the Galaxy Z Fold8 is evolving not through one spectacular new feature, but through numerous small improvements. The thinner body, reduced weight, brighter display, and more efficient processor make everyday interaction more comfortable. The smartphone is well suited to those who regularly work with several applications at once, enjoy watching videos on a large screen, take plenty of photos, or use the device as a compact tablet replacement. Some compromises remain — the high price and the need to get used to the folding design — but in real-world use they are much less noticeable than with previous generations.
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