Samsung’s new foldables are expected to debut next week at Galaxy Unpacked, which unofficially kicks off the second half of the year's flagship releases. Unlike in previous years, Samsung is rumored to introduce three new foldable phones: the Galaxy Z Flip 8, Galaxy Z Fold 8, and Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra.
What’s different this time is that there are going to be two notebook-style foldables, a move that doesn't exactly clarify things as Samsung changes its naming conventions. I’ll explain the differences in a bit, but what you need to know right now is that the standard Galaxy Z Fold 8 will sport a new, wider aspect ratio, whereas the Ultra will stick with the conventional design, but with some better specs.
I’m incredibly eager to see them because both will obviously be serious contenders for the best foldable phone crown. That’s why I’m going to break down a Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra comparison, so you know exactly what to expect based on the leaks and rumors — and I’ll tell you which one I’m pulling for in the process.
Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra: Rumored Specs
| Row 0 - Cell 0 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 (rumored) | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra (rumored) |
Cover display | 5.4-inch OLED (120Hz) | 6.5-inch OLED (120Hz) |
Main display | 7.6-inch OLED (120Hz) | 8-inch OLED (120Hz) |
Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 |
RAM | 12GB or 16GB | 12GB or 16GB |
Storage | 256GB, 512GB | 256GB, 512GB |
Battery | 4,800mAh | 5,000 mAh |
Rear cameras | 200MP main, 12MP ultrawide | 200MP main, 50MP ultrawide, 10MP telephoto with 2x optical zoom |
Front camera | 10MP selfie (cover and main) | 10MP selfie (cover and main) |
Battery Size | 5, 000 mAh | 5, 000 mAh |
Charging Speed | 25W wired, 15W wireless | 45W wired, 15W wireless |
Price | TBA | TBA |
Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra: Design and display
Let me just say that while Samsung and everyone else has spent years trying to convince us what the ideal aspect ratio is for notebook-style foldables, I think the company is about to pull an about-face and prove it was wrong the entire time. The core difference between these two devices is that the Galaxy Z Fold 8 should sport a "wider" aspect ratio, similar to an iPad Mini. This makes it less square and more rectangular, which, in my opinion, is better for a number of reasons.
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, on the other hand, is expected to recycle the same squarish aspect ratio as before, making it look taller and narrower.
In terms of display sizes, the Ultra will still have the larger overall screens with its rumored 8-inch main and 6.5-inch outer displays. However, I don’t think size is everything here because I’m after practicality and usability. That’s why I’m in favor of the standard Galaxy Z Fold 8, even if it has the smaller displays on paper.
Where the wider aspect ratio really counts is video playback. If you’ve tried watching videos on any current notebook-style foldable, like the Galaxy Z Fold 7 or Motorola Razr Fold, you'll understand my frustration with how much dead space there is. You can see it on the image above with the Z Fold 7 and the iPad Mini. Because most videos are shot in 16:9, they will look larger and more filled out on the Galaxy Z Fold 8's rectangular canvas.
This advantage also extends to multitasking. While the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra’s tall screen is conducive to running two apps side-by-side, the wider screen of the standard Z Fold 8 could easily accommodate up to three apps at the same time. Either way, I’m digging the refreshing new aspect ratio of the Fold 8.
Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra: Cameras
On paper, the camera matchup looks incredibly one-sided. All the rumors hint that the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is the heavy-hitter here, keeping a full triple-camera system led by a massive 200MP main sensor, a 50MP ultrawide, and a dedicated 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom.
Meanwhile, the standard Galaxy Z Fold 8 is tipped to drop down to a simpler dual-camera setup consisting of a main shooter and a 12MP ultrawide. There’s no telephoto lens, which can be a dealbreaker for some. But this time around, it’s a compromise I’m willing to accept because of the AI tools that could help bridge the gap.
Yes, having a bit of optical hardware certainly helps to deliver better base results to work with, but I would argue that a dedicated telephoto only really matters if Samsung gives us a 5x or 6x optical zoom. The results of a modest 3x optical lens aren’t as substantial anymore, especially if you’re mainly planning to share your shots on social media.
Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra: Performance
If you’re trying to pick between these two based on raw power alone, don't sweat it. That’s because Samsung and Qualcomm have already teased the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy in a recent post. While the video it shared doesn’t specify which phone will feature it, the outline strongly suggests it’s the standard Galaxy Z Fold 8 — but I’m fairly certain the Ultra will get it, too.
Knowing this, neither phone is going to have an overwhelming advantage when it comes to raw processing performance. A previous rumor hints at a vapor cooling chamber for these devices, but it’s still unknown if one model's thermal design will be better at dissipating heat than the other.
Regardless, they should both deliver the snappy responsiveness the series is known for. What I’m genuinely curious to see, however, is how they’ll simultaneously handle multiple intensive apps. Both are rumored to come with up to 16GB of RAM, which should be more than enough to handle a three-app split screen. But if they end up getting enhanced multitasking features like the ones found on the Galaxy Z TriFold's DeX mode, it might really push that silicon to its limit.
Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra: Battery and charging
Historically, the Fold series has never been known for its battery endurance — but that could finally change.
According to the latest rumors, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is getting a major bump to a 5,000 mAh battery, while the standard Galaxy Z Fold 8 is expected to pack a slightly smaller 4,800 mAh battery. Even though it’s pretty clear which of the two will last longer on a single charge, it’s great news that both are larger than the 4,400 mAh cell found in the Galaxy Z Fold 7. That said, I’m not too hung up on the slight capacity difference, as I suspect it won't amount to hours of extra real-world usage for the Ultra.
There have been plenty of rumors hinting that both phones will get boosted 45W wired charging speeds, but conflicting reports suggest that upgrade might be exclusive to the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, leaving the standard model stuck at 25W.
Interestingly, though, they could both debut with Qi2 magnetic wireless charging, an upgrade I would be thrilled to see. This means a magnetic ring would be embedded directly into the back of the chassis, allowing them to snap securely onto wireless chargers much like Apple’s MagSafe or Google's PixelSnap accessories.
Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra: Software
Both foldables should launch with Samsung’s brand-new One UI 9, built on top of Android 17. Because they share the same foundational software footprint, I don’t see one getting any special treatment or tweaks over the other. The only real difference will be how they lay out apps on their respective main displays.
At the same time, I expect a few new Galaxy AI features to accompany the software, much like how Samsung has handled the last couple of releases. What I’m eager to know, though, is what version of Samsung DeX they’ll get. The Galaxy S26 launched with a slightly updated version, but I hope these foldables get special treatment that borrows a few tricks from the Galaxy Z TriFold.
Personally, I think the Galaxy Z Fold 8’s wider aspect ratio will really lend itself to making it the better candidate for productivity. If it’s able to somehow run up to three apps simultaneously, with each one taking up the exact same amount of screen real estate, it will have an inherent advantage.
Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra: Outlook
When you add everything up, the ultimate deciding factor for most people is going to come down to the price tag. While Samsung hasn't officially confirmed the numbers yet, it’s highly likely the Ultra will demand a hefty premium.
Just for reference, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 launched with a $100 price bump that pushed its starting retail price to $1,999. If that baseline holds, the Ultra’s price tag is almost certain to blow past that mark — though by exactly how much remains a question.
Even if there ends up being a meager $100 price difference between the two, I would still likely spring for the standard Galaxy Z Fold 8, primarily for its unique, wider aspect ratio. Sure, opting for the standard model means living with a simpler dual-camera setup and a slightly smaller battery, but for a screen that actually fits my hands and my media, I think those are compromises worth making.
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