Our verdict
The Galaxy Z Fold8 opens to a 7.6-inch inner screen with a 4:3 shape, close to a small tablet, and has a narrower 5.5-inch cover screen for quick checks. Both are AMOLED screens that refresh up to 120 times a second (120Hz), so scrolling looks smooth. It is a different design from the larger Fold8 Ultra, not the same phone at a lower price. Inside are a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip and 12GB of memory. It weighs 201g and is 4.5mm thick when open. Try it with the articles, books and websites you already enjoy before deciding it can replace carrying another screen.
Buy it if
- You read longer articles and books on your phone
- You want a screen that opens up for longer sessions
- You have tried both the folded and open layouts
Skip it if
- Your main priority is the cheapest way to watch films
- Your favourite apps feel awkward on the inner screen
- You would rarely unfold it away from home
How it would fit your home
Settle into an article
Try your usual text size and reading app with the phone open. More space helps only if the layout feels comfortable: very long lines or awkward controls can undermine the benefit.
Look at the film, not the diagonal
A widescreen film on a 4:3 screen leaves black bars above and below, or is cropped to fill the space. Check how much picture you actually see, with subtitles on if you use them.
Try the quick tasks too
You will not want to unfold the phone for every notification. Test typing a short reply, finding a contact and checking a map on the 5.5-inch cover screen.
The details, in plain English
Inner and cover screens
The inner screen is 7.6 inches with a 4:3 shape and a 1,848 x 2,448 resolution, sharp enough for small text. The cover screen is 5.5 inches and taller and narrower (10:16). Both refresh between 1Hz and 120Hz, speeding up when you scroll and slowing when the image is still to save battery. Samsung also lists a Vision Booster feature for brighter, more readable screens outdoors.
Choose between Fold and Ultra deliberately
The Fold8 and Fold8 Ultra have different shapes when open, so the bigger number or name is not automatically the better fit. Handle both if you can. Compare how you hold the phone to read, how much pocket space you have and how your usual apps look in each shape.
Cameras
The rear cameras are a 50MP wide with optical image stabilisation (OIS, which steadies shots) and a 50MP ultrawide with a 120-degree view for groups and buildings. Samsung lists 2x optical zoom from the main camera. There are two 10MP selfie cameras, one on the cover screen and one inside. We have not tested the cameras, so look at sample photos before buying.
Battery, charging and build
The battery is 4,800mAh. Wired charging is 45W, which Samsung says reaches up to 63% in about 30 minutes, and there is 20W wireless charging. It weighs 201g and is 9.7mm thick folded. The IP48 rating means it can survive submersion in water, but the 4 means it is not sealed against fine dust or sand, so keep it away from beaches.
Strengths and drawbacks
What it does well
- 7.6-inch inner screen gives reading and browsing far more room than a normal phone
- 5.5-inch cover screen handles quick checks without unfolding
- 120Hz on both screens, so scrolling looks smooth
- Two 50MP cameras (wide and ultrawide) plus 45W wired charging
- A different shape from the Ultra for people who value a wider reading surface
What to watch out for
- The 4:3 inner screen shows widescreen films with bars above and below, so film size depends on shape, not just the diagonal
- A folding screen adds ownership considerations beyond a normal phone, and IP48 does not cover fine dust or sand
- Each app's layout needs checking in both folded and open positions
- The cover screen is narrow, which can make typing feel cramped
Compare the exact version and current delivered price. Consider keeping your present phone if it still meets your needs and still receives security updates.
Alternatives we have reviewed
| Product | Our verdict | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
 Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 (this one) | Worth considering if reading and browsing on a normal phone feel cramped, provided the 4:3 unfolded shape suits the content you use. | £1,699RRP · 256GB storage, RRP recorded 12 Oct 2026 | Check price |
 Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra | Consider the Fold8 Ultra only if opening the 8-inch screen would help with a task you do every day; occasional novelty is a weak reason for £1,899. | £1,899RRP · 256GB storage, RRP recorded 12 Oct 2026 | Check price |
 Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | A privacy-first phone with very fast charging, suited to people who use private apps in public and want long software support. | £1,359RRP · 256GB, RRP recorded 12 Oct 2026 | Check price |
 Samsung Galaxy S26 | Worth considering for Samsung familiarity and a flexible three-camera setup in a manageable 167g body, if those extras solve a real problem with your current phone. | £959RRP · 256GB storage, RRP recorded 12 Oct 2026 | Check price |
Not sure it is the right one for you?
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Where our findings come from
Research-based assessment using the manufacturer sources below, checked 9 September 2026. Practical recommendations are our interpretation of those features; we have not carried out hands-on camera, battery or performance tests. Displayed retailer prices retain their original recorded dates.