Galaxy Z Fold 8, Time to Buy?
If you have been on the fence about whether to grab a Fold 7 or hold out for the next one, the guessing game is pretty much over. Now that we have seen the renders and the specs have largely leaked, we have a solid look at what Samsung is actually putting in the box this year. With that the cat is out of the bag, it is worth asking: is this enough of a change to make you wait?
Let's get into the details and see if this thing is actually worth the wait, or if you are better off just snagging a deal on a Fold 7 right now.
Looking at the renders, the Z Fold 8 sticks with the design language Samsung has used for years. It keeps that familiar tall and narrow book style with the sharp corners and flat edges we saw on the Fold 7. If you were hoping for a radical visual overhaul, this is not that.
What’s New?
The real story here is that Samsung is finally addressing the two biggest complaints that have dogged the Fold series for years. We are looking at a jump to a 5,000 mAh battery which is a long overdue upgrade from the 4,400 mAh unit they have used since the Fold 3. This could make the Fold 8 a true all day device for more users. They are also finally moving to 45W wired charging. It is not exactly world beating compared to some of the competition, but it is a big step up from the 25W charging we have been living with.
On the back, the camera housing keeps that vertical pill shape. You are still getting the 200MP main sensor, but the ultrawide is reportedly getting a big bump from 12MP to 50MP. We also expect to see a slight upgrade to the 10MP telephoto lens. Much like the S26 Ultra, it will likely keep the same resolution but move to a slightly improved sensor for better overall clarity and low light performance.
Inside, the main 8 inch screen is supposed to feature new dual layer glass technology. The goal there is to make the display more durable and make that center crease even harder to see. While it looks like the same phone on the outside, it seems like Samsung is finally focusing on the hardware quality of life features that actually matter for daily use. This info came from a now-deleted SamMobile post, so take it with a pinch of salt.
| Feature | Galaxy Z Fold 7 | Galaxy Z Fold 8 (Leaked) | Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide (Leaked) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Elite | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 |
| RAM | Starting at 12GB | Starting at 12GB | Starting at 12GB |
| Battery | 4,400 mAh | 5,000 mAh | 4,800 mAh |
| Wired Charging | 25W | 45W | 45W |
| Main Camera | 200MP | 200MP | 200MP |
| Ultrawide Camera | 12MP | 50MP | 50MP |
| Telephoto Camera | 10MP (3x) | 10MP (3x) | None (Removed) |
| Inner Display | 8.0 inch | 8.0 inch | 7.6 inch (Landscape) |
| Cover Display | 6.5 inch | 6.5 inch | 5.4 inch (Wide) |
Finally, a Bigger Battery
I think the biggest reason to actually care about the Fold 8 is the battery. For years, Samsung has played it safe with a 4,400 mAh cell, but the leaks are pointing to a jump to 5,000 mAh this time.
To put that in perspective, look at the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. It comes with a 5,015 mAh battery, and most people seem to be quite happy with that device’s ability to get through a full day of use. If Samsung can match that battery size and pair it with a more efficient chip, the Fold 8 should realistically outlast that device. Looking at this article on efficiency, Samsung’s Fold does seem to already have a leg up on getting the most out of what it has.
It is still probably not going to match the Honors or the Oppos of the world. Those Chinese foldables are pushing much larger batteries and charging speeds that Samsung just does not seem interested in chasing. But for most people, matching or beating the best of what is available in the US market is the real goal. The bad news for Samsung is that Moto will be launching their Razr Fold around the same time with a 6,000mAh battery and 80w charging.. Still, Samsung should theoretically sit in the 2nd place spot when it comes to foldable battery life in the States this year.
Meager Camera Gains
When it comes to the cameras, the primary sensor is staying the same. Honestly, that is fine. Compared to other foldables on the market, it is still quite large and more than good enough. The real hope here is that Samsung puts some work into the processing to finally remove the noise that has become synonymous with their look lately. If they can clean up the output, the 200MP hardware still has plenty of life in it.
The ultrawide is where we are seeing a legitimate hardware jump. It is moving from the aging 12MP sensor to a 50MP one. If we assume Samsung is using the same sensor found in the S26 Ultra, we are looking at a 1/2.5 inch sensor. For context, the sensor in the Fold 7 is 1/2.55 inches. While the 50MP sensor is technically a tiny bit larger physically, the real benefit comes from the massive jump in resolution. This should be a decent, but not earth-shattering upgrade.
However, the telephoto lens is where things get a bit disappointing for me. We are supposedly getting an improved 10MP sensor, but it is still just 10MP, it’s still likely 1/3.94" and still just 3x optical zoom. Samsung says it gathers 37% more light on the Ultra, maybe we’ll get that here too. I recently did a video on the Wide Fold where I showed that digital zoom on a high-quality primary sensor is already nearly as good as what we currently have.
This meager upgrade is just not enough to stay competitive. Google is already pushing a 5x zoom on the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, and Motorola is using a much larger 1/1.95" 3x sensor on their upcoming Razr Fold. By sticking to this 10MP 3x setup, Samsung is falling ever further behind. On a device of this price point, we absolutely need better and there are honestly no excuses for continuing with this tiny camera.
Making the Decision
This part of the decision really comes down to what you already have in your pocket. If you are a Z Fold 7 owner, there is really no good reason to upgrade unless the battery life has just been a total deal breaker for you. For most people, the jump in specs on the 8 will not feel like a massive shift in day to day use.
If you are a new buyer trying to decide between the 7 and the 8, I do think the 8 will be the better device. That battery life alone makes it a much more enticing pick for anyone who heavily uses their foldable as a primary phone. However, it would probably be smart to keep an eye out for deals.
We have seen times when the Fold 7 gets some pretty heavy discounts and that should accelerate with the 8’s release. If you can find a Fold 7 at a great price, it might make more sense than dropping two grand on the 8 just for a better battery and a higher resolution ultrawide. It really depends on how much you value those specific hardware tweaks versus keeping several hundred dollars in your pocket. Of course, there will be tons of new AI-branded features launching with the 8, but I doubt there will be anything in there that changes my thinking.
Of course, there is also the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide, which is a very different beast. It is expected to come with a 4,800mAh battery, which is actually a bit smaller than the 5,000 mAh unit in the standard Fold 8. Most notably, Samsung is apparently removing the telephoto camera altogether on this model, leaving it with a dual-camera setup.
If you are looking for a passport style cover display on a device that opens up into a landscape tablet, this could be a big enough shake up to entice you. This is not a choice you make because it is larger, has better cameras, or features a phenomenal battery. You would buy this specifically because the aspect ratio is completely different from the square inner screen of the standard Fold.
For some of you, this wider, shorter form factor is exactly what you have been waiting for. Hopefully, Samsung is smart enough to launch this with a slightly discounted price. Given the slightly smaller battery and the omission of the telephoto sensor, it would make a lot of sense for this to sit as a more affordable entry point into the Fold 8 lineup.