The Galaxy Z Fold 8 bets on a more compact design and a more practical main screen, while the Fold 8 Ultra targets productivity with technical upgrades. But with competition like the OPPO Find N6, Samsung still needs to prove its dominance.
A wider, more natural Fold 8
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 stands out with its main screen, deemed "perfect" in size by early testers. Unlike other models like the Motorola Razr Fold or the Honor Magic V6, it encourages use when unfolded, thanks to a smooth hinge and minimized resistance. In July 2026, a journalist from Android Police noted that the phone, once opened, delivers a more natural experience: "It’s as if the screen had been stretched to its limit," with a barely visible crease and sufficient brightness for outdoor use.
The Fold 8’s size is reminiscent of a passport, making it more familiar and easy to carry. Its format, neither too large nor too thin, makes it "photogenic," according to the tester, as it fits better into daily life than a standard smartphone or an overly bulky foldable. The specially designed hinge allows effortless opening, with a satisfying click upon full deployment.
Fold 8 Ultra: the productivity king?
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra positions itself as the premium model, with targeted improvements: a 200 MP main sensor, a 50 MP ultra-wide lens, and a reduced thickness of 4.1 mm when unfolded. Samsung is banking on this model for demanding users, with a "desktop" orientation in half-fold mode, ideal for multitasking. However, Android Authority points out that the OPPO Find N6, released in March 2026, outperforms the Fold 8 Ultra in several areas: a 50 MP 3x telephoto sensor (vs. 10 MP for Samsung), a 6,000 mAh battery (vs. 5,000 mAh), and 80 W wired charging (vs. 45 W).
The OPPO Find N6 also offers a Free Flow Window system, more flexible than Samsung’s static multitasking, and stylus support, which Samsung abandoned on its foldables to gain slimness. Price also works in its favor: around $1,625 (11,000 yuan) vs. $2,100 for the Fold 8 Ultra. One hurdle remains: the Find N6 is not officially available in Europe or North America.
What’s next?
Samsung is not ruling out a return of the S Pen on its foldables. In July 2026, company executive HS Moon told 9to5Google that the brand is "exploring technologies to integrate the digitizer and S Pen in an even slimmer format." One condition: maintaining the current slimness of the devices. The 2027 lineup is already shaping up to be packed, with four foldables planned, including a Z TriFold 2, according to GSMArena and 9to5Google.
“We continue to explore and consider various innovative technologies to integrate the digitizer and S Pen in an even slimmer format.” — HS Moon, hardware executive at SamsungTranslated from French
What this means
- The Galaxy Z Fold 8 opts for a more compact format and a more practical main screen, with an optimized hinge for natural opening.
- The Fold 8 Ultra improves camera sensors and slimness but is still outpaced by the OPPO Find N6 in battery, charging, and multitasking.
- Samsung is preparing a 2027 lineup with four foldables, including a TriFold, and is not ruling out the S Pen’s return if technology allows.
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 and its Ultra confirm that Samsung has mastered the art of foldables. But competition, especially from China, shows that innovation alone isn’t enough: smart trade-offs in features and pricing are also needed. The foldable battle is far from over.
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