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When I first saw Samsung’s Fold product line this year, I was actually a little confused. The familiar book-style folding phone is now called the Fold 8 Ultra; the one that actually bears the Galaxy Z Fold 8 name is a shorter and wider new device.

The difference isn’t so striking in photos, but once you hold it in your hand, it becomes immediately apparent. The Fold 8 isn’t as long and slender as previous Fold models; when folded, it’s more like a small passport, and at 201g, it’s significantly lighter than I expected. It still folds down completely, but the feel in your hand is entirely different.

I’ve been using it for a week now. The first two days, the 5.5-inch external screen was the most unfamiliar; the 10:16 aspect ratio was noticeably wider, and I needed to get used to it when operating it with one hand. But every time I unfold it, the 7.6-inch 4:3 internal screen makes me feel that this design wasn’t just for the sake of being different.

Now that I’ve used it for a while, I no longer have that “why is it so wide?” feeling I had when I first started using it. As for whether this new aspect ratio is actually easy to use, how much the lack of a telephoto lens affects the camera, and whether such a thin body can handle the performance, these are the things I really want to figure out this week.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Review: Price

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 in China starts at 12,999 yuan for the 12GB+256GB version; the 512GB version is 14,599 yuan, and the 16GB+1TB version is 17,799 yuan. Seeing the price of the top-spec version, I won’t hesitate for long, unless I regularly store a lot of videos and files on my phone; otherwise, 1TB is a bit excessive for most people.

I actually think 512GB is more suitable for the usage of a phone like the Fold 8. When unfolded, it can easily be used as a small tablet. With photos, videos, offline movies, and some large games, 256GB might not be enough immediately, but you’ll still have to start clearing space over time. 14,599 yuan isn’t cheap either, but at this price point, I’m more concerned about not feeling cramped when using it for the next few years.

The colors available are Soft Lavender, Rock Gray, Cloud White, and Spring Green. The first three are relatively classic, while Spring Green is noticeably more vibrant. Which one do you prefer?

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Review: Design

When I first got my hands on the Fold 8, my immediate reaction was: “Why is this thing so wide?” It feels completely different from the slim, book-like Fold of the past; the body is noticeably shorter, and when folded, it resembles a small passport. These days, foldable screens are starting to look somewhat similar, so the Fold 8 is quite noticeable on a desk. In the few days I’ve taken it out to use, people around me have definitely given it a second glance.

Samsung’s own design hasn’t changed much. The bezels are still straight, the four corners are quite sharp, and the rear cameras are still arranged vertically, only this time there’s one less. The outer screen cover uses Gorilla Glass Ceramic 3, while the back uses Victus 2, with a frosted finish that feels quite smooth to the touch.

But actually holding it in my hand, the weight is what I notice more easily than its appearance. At 201g, it’s only 4.5mm when unfolded and 9.7mm when folded. This is no longer the feeling that foldable screens used to feel thicker and heavier when you picked them up. Especially when held in one hand when folded, the difference between it and a regular large-screen flagship is not so obvious anymore.

Opening the screen is also easier than before. Samsung added a slight bevel to the inner edge of the screen and readjusted the hinge and magnet. Visually, there’s almost no difference, but when you reach in and pry the phone open, you’ll find it’s not as difficult as before. This is a very inconspicuous change in the specifications, but it’s quite noticeable after using it for a few days.

The crease has been well suppressed this time. Samsung used a double-layer titanium cushioning structure under the screen, so when looking at it from the front, I no longer pay attention to the crease in the middle, and the indentation when my finger slides over it is less noticeable than before. Of course, it hasn’t completely disappeared, but it’s finally less prominent.

The inner screen also has an anti-reflective coating, which I really like. When indoor ceiling lights or strong outdoor sunlight shine on the screen, the reflections are significantly reduced. Both screens have a peak brightness of 3000 nits, so viewing things in sunlight is perfectly fine. However, the brightness does drop after prolonged use in hot weather or for a while; I’ve experienced this several times in the past few days, and it gets more annoying when the sun is brighter.

However, as I used it more, my attention mostly went to the 4:3 internal screen. The external screen is 5.5 inches in 10:16 aspect ratio, and unfolds to 7.6 inches in 4:3 aspect ratio. When viewing web pages, comics, or e-books vertically, the content isn’t crammed into a narrow strip; when rotated, it resembles a small tablet. Especially when watching older TV series, playing older games, or directly flipping through 4:3 photos taken with a camera, the screen utilization is indeed very high.

The 16:9 video is also more comfortable than the traditional Fold, with smaller black borders. However, the actual screen size doesn’t suddenly increase; it just means less screen space is wasted.

The problem also stems from this “width.” I love typing with both hands; the keyboard is large enough that my thumbs feel comfortable resting on it. But typing with one hand is a completely different story. Especially for those with smaller hands, reaching the other side of the screen can be quite difficult. Some apps also look a bit cramped on the 5.5-inch external screen; this aspect ratio isn’t always advantageous.

After using it for a week, I’ve basically gotten used to the look of the Fold 8. When I first got it, I thought it was a bit oddly wide, but now I think those old, slender Folds look a bit narrow.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Review: Camera Performance

After using it for a week, I have mixed feelings about the Fold 8’s camera. For casual shots, it doesn’t have any obvious flaws, but considering that it’s a foldable screen phone starting at 12,999 yuan with only two cameras on the back, I still feel like something is missing.

Both the main camera and the ultra-wide-angle camera are 50 megapixels. The main camera can also use 2x optical quality zoom and up to 10x digital zoom.

Here’s the problem. 1x and 2x zoom are sufficient for everyday shooting of people, meals, and street scenes; I don’t constantly think about the lack of a telephoto lens. But when it comes to stage performances, architectural details, or simply wanting to bring distant people closer, it starts to frustrate. 3x or 4x is still acceptable, but beyond that, the loss of detail is very noticeable. Having gotten used to periscope telephoto flagships, going back to the Fold 8, this difference is simply undeniable.

Daytime shots still have that typical Samsung look. The image is sharp, and the HDR is applied quite aggressively, usually capturing the sky and shadows well even in backlit conditions. The colors aren’t ridiculously exaggerated, but the photos tend to be brighter and more vibrant when they first come out.

The advantage of this style is its stability. You can just pick up the camera and shoot; most photos won’t have any major problems. However, after shooting a lot, you might feel it lacks a bit of personality. I personally prefer shooting RAW files and then adjusting them gradually, rather than constantly using the default effects.

At night, the main camera doesn’t perform as well as during the day. The exposure speed is quite fast, requiring minimal waiting time, but noise becomes visible when zoomed in on low-light conditions. In even lower light, sharpening and noise reduction start to mask fine textures. Posting directly to social media is generally fine, but it doesn’t look as good on a large screen.

Both front-facing cameras are 10 megapixels. The one on the outer screen is of average quality; I actually use the inner screen front camera more often for video calls. When unfolded, the screen is large enough that both the other person’s image and my own preview are comfortable to view. This usage style is actually more in line with the Fold 8 than discussing selfie quality.

The video capabilities seem more impressive than the camera specifications. Both wide-angle and ultra-wide-angle lenses can record 8K, and Samsung’s handheld image stabilization is quite stable. The Fold 8 also has a natural advantage—after shooting, you can directly unfold the 7.6-inch internal screen to view the video, which is much more comfortable than zooming in and out on a regular phone.

What interests me most is the “dual-camera recording.” It can simultaneously capture two 9:16 frames and then combine them into a complete 18:16 video. For someone making a vlog who wants to capture both themselves and what’s happening around them, this feature is definitely useful.

So my biggest complaint about the Fold 8 camera is still that non-existent telephoto lens. The main camera is stable enough, the ultra-wide-angle lens is decent enough, and the video function is even more than I expected, but when you need to shoot from a distance, it reminds you: this is definitely not in the same league as the Fold 8 Ultra.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Review: Phone Performance

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 I have is the 12GB+256GB version, and the 512GB version also has 12GB of RAM. Only the 1TB version goes up to 16GB. It uses the fifth-generation Snapdragon 8 Ultra (for Galaxy), so there’s really nothing to worry about in terms of everyday performance.

To achieve 60 frames per second on the 4:3 internal screen, I eventually lowered the graphics settings to “balanced”. In complex scenes, the frame rate drops to around 40 frames per second, which is not unplayable and the image is not blurry, but compared to other foldable screen phones on the same platform that I have used recently, the Fold 8 is noticeably more conservative.

However, this is a problem that is more likely to occur with heavy gaming. When watching videos, opening several apps, or even reading documents while replying to messages in split screen, I haven’t encountered any noticeable lag.

The battery capacity has increased from 4400mAh in the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 to 4800mAh, with Samsung officially stating a continuous video playback time of approximately 26 hours. This capacity isn’t particularly large by today’s standards; flagship phones from domestic brands often have capacities exceeding 6000mAh. However, in actual use, the Fold 8 doesn’t live up to the anxiety-inducing figures.

I’ve been using the inner screen a lot these past few days and taken quite a few photos. It works fine from morning till night, but I still need to charge it before bed. If I want to feel safe going out the next day, I won’t choose to push it through the night.

The Chinese version comes with a 45W charger. My unit, starting from zero, charged to about 70% in half an hour, which is better than my initial expectations for Samsung’s fast charging. Of course, it’s not necessary to compare it directly with the 100W or even higher wattage of many domestic Chinese phones these days.

What I care about more about the Fold 8 isn’t its “performance.” In normal use, you can’t even fully utilize this chip. It’s only when you get to games like “Mingchao” that which continuously demand performance that the 4.5mm thin body starts to remind me: making it this thin always comes at a price.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Review: Summary

After using it for a week, the Fold 8 is one of the few recent products that made me feel that “phones can look different.” It’s not because it has any particularly extravagant configuration, but because its shorter and wider body really does change some of my usual usage habits.

I’m getting increasingly comfortable using the 7.6-inch 4:3 internal screen. Viewing web pages, comics, photos, or playing games feels more natural than the near-square screens of traditional Fold cameras. It only weighs 201g when folded, making it much easier to hold than the larger folding cameras of the past. At first, I thought its width was a bit odd, but I’m gradually getting used to it. However, there are still some regrets. Starting at 12,999 yuan, the lack of a true telephoto lens is something I still can’t accept. The chip is powerful, but the thin body limits its extended use. Ironically, these issues haven’t made my week of use unpleasant.

Perhaps this is what makes the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 so special. It’s not Samsung’s highest-spec foldable phone this time, nor is it the one I’d prioritize for taking photos or playing demanding games, but whenever I start browsing content, looking at photos, or curled up on the sofa playing games, I still subconsciously unfold it. A week has passed, and the novelty hasn’t worn off yet.

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