Galaxy Z Fold 8's new shape wins over reviewers, but selfie camera draws complaint

Android Authority's reviewer said the wider 7.6-inch screen handles widescreen videos better than any other foldable, but the big surprise was using it in portrait mode. Rotated 90 degrees, the display feels like an iPad mini and is great for reading, scrolling Threads or X, and typing. The cover screen's 10:16 aspect ratio, in contrast, was not good for TikTok or Instagram. However, the hole-punch front camera at the top of the inner screen becomes a distraction when the phone is used in portrait, and the reviewer said they would rather Samsung left it off entirely. The piece noted that previous Galaxy Z Fold models used a less obtrusive under-display camera.

TechRadar's reviewer, who spent a month with both the Fold 8 and the Fold 8 Ultra, took the smaller phone on vacation to France. The passport-sized body fit easily in pockets and small backpack compartments, while the Ultra stuck out awkwardly and raised fears of loss or theft. The compact shape made it the instinctive choice for navigation, translating menus, and contactless transit payments. The 4:3 main display proved excellent for the Kindle app and Google Maps, and the reviewer said the form factor is "the perfect shape for a phone." The Ultra remained preferable for calendar and grid-based tasks, but on the trip it was reserved for gaming and camera use.

Both reviews suggest that Samsung's move to a wider aspect ratio, initially intended to cut black bars on videos, has also made the foldable more practical for everyday tasks like web browsing, social media, and navigation. The Fold 8's new design still has trade-offs, but the reviewers agreed it is a meaningful step forward.