Our verdict
The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra has a 6.5-inch cover screen for everyday use and opens into an 8.0-inch inner screen. Both are Dynamic AMOLED 2X panels that adapt their refresh rate up to 120Hz, so scrolling looks smooth. The inner screen gives you room to check a booking while reading an email, or to refer to a document while writing notes. Samsung lists a 200MP main camera and a 50MP ultrawide, a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor and a 5,000mAh battery. It weighs 215g and is 4.1mm thick unfolded. The price is £1,899 for 256GB, so the extra space needs to earn its place in your routine.
Buy it if
- You regularly consult documents while replying to messages
- You would open the inner display several times a day
- You have tried your important apps on a folding screen
Skip it if
- You mostly make calls and check short messages
- You are stretching your budget for occasional tablet use
- You would rather carry a conventional phone and a separate tablet
How it would fit your home
Keep the information beside you
With the 8.0-inch inner screen you can keep a reference open beside your reply and avoid jumping between apps. In a shop, open a document you actually use, increase the text size and check both views stay readable.
Choose a camera for the scene
The 200MP main camera and 50MP ultrawide serve different needs. The wider view helps with groups and interiors. Megapixel numbers alone cannot tell you how reliably it will capture a moving subject indoors.
Budget for ownership
Check the cost and practicalities of a repair, including how you would manage without the phone. Leave room in your budget for the case and accessories you want.
The details, in plain English
The two screens
There are two displays. The 6.5-inch cover screen (1,080 x 2,520) works like a normal phone when closed. Open it and you get an 8.0-inch inner screen at 2,504 x 2,256, close to square, which suits documents, spreadsheets and two apps side by side. Both are Dynamic AMOLED 2X and adaptive up to 120Hz, meaning the refresh rate changes with what you are doing, faster for scrolling and slower for still content. Try the folding crease in person, as it varies in how noticeable it is to different people.
Cameras
Samsung lists a 200MP wide-angle main camera and a 50MP ultrawide on the back. The main camera captures a lot of detail in good light, while the ultrawide fits more into the frame for groups, interiors and buildings. Samsung's announcement also lists a 10MP selfie camera on the cover screen, but its list is unclear about the other cameras, so check the full specification for the inner and front cameras before buying.
Power and battery
The processor is Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy, a top-end chip meant to keep several apps running smoothly at once, which matters on a screen designed for multitasking. The battery is 5,000mAh (typical, Samsung's wording). Samsung's page did not give a battery life in hours, so treat real-world endurance as unconfirmed, especially with the large screen open.
Build and durability
At 4.1mm thick unfolded and 215g, the Fold8 Ultra is slim for a foldable but heavier than most flat phones. Under the standard IP code, the 8 in IP48 is a water-immersion rating, but the 4 means protection only against solid objects larger than 1mm, so fine dust and sand can still get in, unlike an IP68 phone. Take care on beaches and building sites, and consider a case and how repairs would work.
Strengths and drawbacks
What it does well
- 8.0-inch inner screen gives documents and two side-by-side apps far more room than a normal phone
- 6.5-inch cover screen means you can still use it closed like an ordinary phone
- 200MP main and 50MP ultrawide cameras give different ways to frame a scene
- Only 4.1mm thick when unfolded, and 215g
- Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor and both screens up to 120Hz
What to watch out for
- £1,899 for 256GB is a substantial commitment
- Your own apps may not make equal use of the larger screen
- IP48 rating: the water part is strong, but the 4 means it is not fully sealed against dust, unlike IP68 phones
- Repair arrangements and case choice deserve attention before you buy
Compare the exact version and current delivered price, and the regular Fold8 if you only want a folding screen for less. Consider keeping your present phone if it still meets your needs and receives security updates.
Alternatives we have reviewed
| Product | Our verdict | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
 Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra (this one) | 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 Z Fold8 | 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 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.