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Galaxy Z Fold 8, 3-Day User Review: Innovative Design and What's Lacking?A candid review after using Samsung's latest foldable phone, the Galaxy Z Fold 8, for 3 days. We've deeply analyzed its passport-style design, improved display, and camera and battery performance. Could this product be the best foldable phone of the year?
1. ✨ Galaxy Z Fold 8: Amazing Changes in Design and Form Factor
· The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is Samsung's best foldable phone and has the potential to be the best on the market. However, it has a major drawback with every generation.
· Here's an honest review of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 after using it for 3 days. What's it like to use this phone in everyday life? We tested its camera and battery life all day, shooting photos and videos in iconic London locations.
· The biggest change is the new form factor. It adopts Samsung's first passport-style design, with three main advantages.
· First, it's highly portable. The short, wide design when closed and the 5.5-inch cover screen are very comfortable to use. It feels like using a small phone again after a long time.
· The experience of watching content on the cover screen is much better than on the Ultra model. Also, thanks to the super wide design, you'll use the cover screen more. All apps utilize the screen space well, making you want to use the cover screen more often than on the narrow Fold model.
· You rarely need to open the main screen except for media consumption or certain multitasking functions. This cover screen also helps save battery.
· Third, the most surprising thing is the weight. Based on leaks of previous models, we expected it to be big and heavy, but it's the lightest among currently released foldable phones. I believe lightness is more important than thickness in foldable phones.
· The form factor alone makes the Galaxy Z Fold 8 special, and it holds its own even when compared to the Ultra model. In fact, I think this design should have been applied to the Ultra model.
· Here's an honest review of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 after using it for 3 days. What's it like to use this phone in everyday life? We tested its camera and battery life all day, shooting photos and videos in iconic London locations.
· The biggest change is the new form factor. It adopts Samsung's first passport-style design, with three main advantages.
· First, it's highly portable. The short, wide design when closed and the 5.5-inch cover screen are very comfortable to use. It feels like using a small phone again after a long time.
· The experience of watching content on the cover screen is much better than on the Ultra model. Also, thanks to the super wide design, you'll use the cover screen more. All apps utilize the screen space well, making you want to use the cover screen more often than on the narrow Fold model.
· You rarely need to open the main screen except for media consumption or certain multitasking functions. This cover screen also helps save battery.
· Third, the most surprising thing is the weight. Based on leaks of previous models, we expected it to be big and heavy, but it's the lightest among currently released foldable phones. I believe lightness is more important than thickness in foldable phones.
· The form factor alone makes the Galaxy Z Fold 8 special, and it holds its own even when compared to the Ultra model. In fact, I think this design should have been applied to the Ultra model.
00:00 - 01:26
1. ✨ Galaxy Z Fold 8: Amazing Changes in Design and Form Factor
· The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is Samsung's best foldable phone and has the potential to be the best on the market. However, it has a major drawback with every generation.
· Here's an honest review of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 after using it for 3 days. What's it like to use this phone in everyday life? We tested its camera and battery life all day, shooting photos and videos in iconic London locations.
· The biggest change is the new form factor. It adopts Samsung's first passport-style design, with three main advantages.
· First, it's highly portable. The short, wide design when closed and the 5.5-inch cover screen are very comfortable to use. It feels like using a small phone again after a long time.
· The experience of watching content on the cover screen is much better than on the Ultra model. Also, thanks to the super wide design, you'll use the cover screen more. All apps utilize the screen space well, making you want to use the cover screen more often than on the narrow Fold model.
· You rarely need to open the main screen except for media consumption or certain multitasking functions. This cover screen also helps save battery.
· Third, the most surprising thing is the weight. Based on leaks of previous models, we expected it to be big and heavy, but it's the lightest among currently released foldable phones. I believe lightness is more important than thickness in foldable phones.
· The form factor alone makes the Galaxy Z Fold 8 special, and it holds its own even when compared to the Ultra model. In fact, I think this design should have been applied to the Ultra model.
· Here's an honest review of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 after using it for 3 days. What's it like to use this phone in everyday life? We tested its camera and battery life all day, shooting photos and videos in iconic London locations.
· The biggest change is the new form factor. It adopts Samsung's first passport-style design, with three main advantages.
· First, it's highly portable. The short, wide design when closed and the 5.5-inch cover screen are very comfortable to use. It feels like using a small phone again after a long time.
· The experience of watching content on the cover screen is much better than on the Ultra model. Also, thanks to the super wide design, you'll use the cover screen more. All apps utilize the screen space well, making you want to use the cover screen more often than on the narrow Fold model.
· You rarely need to open the main screen except for media consumption or certain multitasking functions. This cover screen also helps save battery.
· Third, the most surprising thing is the weight. Based on leaks of previous models, we expected it to be big and heavy, but it's the lightest among currently released foldable phones. I believe lightness is more important than thickness in foldable phones.
· The form factor alone makes the Galaxy Z Fold 8 special, and it holds its own even when compared to the Ultra model. In fact, I think this design should have been applied to the Ultra model.
02:12 - 03:40
2. 📱 Display and Durability: Brightness, Aspect Ratio, and Titanium Hinge
· The screen is bright and comfortable to use both indoors and outdoors. While not the absolute brightest compared to competitor foldable phones, it's sufficiently bright.
· Durability has been improved thanks to the titanium hinge. It survived an accidental drop without any damage, which is truly amazing.
· Thanks to the new screen aspect ratio, 16:9 videos are displayed perfectly in full screen without content loss. This phone also performs excellently as a tablet.
· Unlike Samsung's previous narrow form factor, the short and wide screen experience allows it to perform well as a phone.
· The crease has been improved the most among all Samsung foldable phones. It's visible at certain angles but much less noticeable than in previous generations.
· Durability has been improved thanks to the titanium hinge. It survived an accidental drop without any damage, which is truly amazing.
· Thanks to the new screen aspect ratio, 16:9 videos are displayed perfectly in full screen without content loss. This phone also performs excellently as a tablet.
· Unlike Samsung's previous narrow form factor, the short and wide screen experience allows it to perform well as a phone.
· The crease has been improved the most among all Samsung foldable phones. It's visible at certain angles but much less noticeable than in previous generations.
03:41 - 06:10
3. 📸 Camera Performance: Shining Results Amidst Some Disappointment
· While the form factor and display are excellent, the camera experience is somewhat disappointing.
· Although there's no telephoto lens on paper, it delivers decent results at 4x zoom in good lighting conditions. From 10x zoom onwards, noise increases, making the need for a telephoto lens apparent.
· The image quality from the main and ultra-wide lenses is quite good. The 50-megapixel sensor is proven and performs well in most lighting conditions.
· We tested the camera, 5G, and battery during a day in London. Enabling the 24-megapixel shooting option in the settings further enhances the results. The colors and details are excellent, utilizing Samsung's proven sensor.
· Video performance is the best among all Samsung foldable phones. It supports 4K 60fps recording and even 8K 30fps.
· A major advantage is the ability to use the rear cameras for selfies and videos in Cover Camera mode. This allows for 50-megapixel selfies and high-quality social media video recording.
· Pro Video mode is also available, offering features like APV codec, log shooting, and applying Samsung's native LUTs.
· The new Fan Cam feature uses AI to track subjects.
· The phone tended to get a bit warm during Log mode 4K 60fps and high-resolution photo shooting, but the temperature returned to normal.
· The phone tended to get a bit warm during Log mode 4K 60fps and high-resolution photo shooting, but the temperature returned to normal.
· Although there's no telephoto lens on paper, it delivers decent results at 4x zoom in good lighting conditions. From 10x zoom onwards, noise increases, making the need for a telephoto lens apparent.
· The image quality from the main and ultra-wide lenses is quite good. The 50-megapixel sensor is proven and performs well in most lighting conditions.
· We tested the camera, 5G, and battery during a day in London. Enabling the 24-megapixel shooting option in the settings further enhances the results. The colors and details are excellent, utilizing Samsung's proven sensor.
· Video performance is the best among all Samsung foldable phones. It supports 4K 60fps recording and even 8K 30fps.
· A major advantage is the ability to use the rear cameras for selfies and videos in Cover Camera mode. This allows for 50-megapixel selfies and high-quality social media video recording.
· Pro Video mode is also available, offering features like APV codec, log shooting, and applying Samsung's native LUTs.
· The new Fan Cam feature uses AI to track subjects.
· The phone tended to get a bit warm during Log mode 4K 60fps and high-resolution photo shooting, but the temperature returned to normal.
· The phone tended to get a bit warm during Log mode 4K 60fps and high-resolution photo shooting, but the temperature returned to normal.
06:11 - 07:25
4. 🔋 Battery Life: Varies Depending on Usage
· The 4,800mAh battery reached its limits with camera and 5G usage. When using the camera extensively at maximum brightness outdoors, we recorded over 4 hours of screen-on time.
· However, when camera usage was minimal and for general tasks like email and social media, the battery lasted much longer. With heavy camera use, we had 30-40% left in the evening, but with normal use, over 50% remained.
· While it's not the best battery performance among foldable phones, it's good enough for all-day use.
· However, when camera usage was minimal and for general tasks like email and social media, the battery lasted much longer. With heavy camera use, we had 30-40% left in the evening, but with normal use, over 50% remained.
· While it's not the best battery performance among foldable phones, it's good enough for all-day use.
07:26 - 08:36
5. 💻 Software and Performance: Multitasking and AI Features
· It's equipped with One UI 9.0 based on Android 17. Both screens utilize the ample space well, making multitasking particularly easy on the internal display.
· Multitasking that's difficult on regular smartphones, like scrolling through Reels and browsing the web simultaneously, or watching YouTube while reading, is possible.
· Photo and video editing on the large 7.6-inch screen is more enjoyable. It's even more fun when utilizing Galaxy AI features.
· A variety of AI features are provided, leaving nothing to be desired.
· With the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and 12GB of RAM, any game can be played smoothly at the highest frame rates.
· Multitasking that's difficult on regular smartphones, like scrolling through Reels and browsing the web simultaneously, or watching YouTube while reading, is possible.
· Photo and video editing on the large 7.6-inch screen is more enjoyable. It's even more fun when utilizing Galaxy AI features.
· A variety of AI features are provided, leaving nothing to be desired.
· With the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and 12GB of RAM, any game can be played smoothly at the highest frame rates.
08:37 - 10:19
6. 💰 Price and Overall Verdict: A Worthy Investment?
· The biggest drawback of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is its price. Starting at $1,899, it approaches $2,000, which is a high price.
· This is a luxury product, and it's an amount that could buy both a laptop and a phone. It's a prohibitive price for most people.
· If you want a foldable phone and price is not an issue, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is an excellent choice. The user experience was very enjoyable, and I plan to continue using it as my main foldable phone.
· While it doesn't have the perfect camera setup or a 7,000mAh battery, the overall experience is very satisfying.
· I believe the passport-style form factor is the most suitable design for a foldable device. If you don't particularly prefer the narrow form factor of the Ultra model or its best-in-class camera setup, the Fold 8 might be a better choice.
· The lack of S Pen support or a proper 5x optical zoom lens should also be considered.
· Considering these factors comprehensively, I believe the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is the better purchase option.
· This is a luxury product, and it's an amount that could buy both a laptop and a phone. It's a prohibitive price for most people.
· If you want a foldable phone and price is not an issue, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is an excellent choice. The user experience was very enjoyable, and I plan to continue using it as my main foldable phone.
· While it doesn't have the perfect camera setup or a 7,000mAh battery, the overall experience is very satisfying.
· I believe the passport-style form factor is the most suitable design for a foldable device. If you don't particularly prefer the narrow form factor of the Ultra model or its best-in-class camera setup, the Fold 8 might be a better choice.
· The lack of S Pen support or a proper 5x optical zoom lens should also be considered.
· Considering these factors comprehensively, I believe the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is the better purchase option.