I review a lot of phones, and most of the time, it’s easy to move on to the next handset. But the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 gave me a problem I didn’t expect: I genuinely didn’t want to stop using it.
I fell for the adorable, passport-size foldable the moment I got my hands on it back in June at Samsung’s headquarters in Korea. It’s a compact doomscroller’s dream, with a versatile inner display that’s perfect for watching movies in landscape orientation or browsing social media in portrait. It’s also incredibly thin and lightweight, measuring just 4.5 millimeters thick when unfolded and 9.7mm when folded, while weighing just 201 grams. I can hardly tell it’s in my pocket, and I love the way it feels in my hands.
Beyond its functionality, the Z Fold 8 is an eye-catching statement piece. It’s been the center of attention at many gatherings, soliciting “oohs” and “aahs” from friends and passersby alike.
Over the past few years, phone-makers have rolled out their fair share of innovative designs, from the ultraslim Galaxy S25 Edge, iPhone Air and Galaxy Z Fold 7 to the futuristic Honor Robot Phone. But somehow, none has left a lasting impression on me quite like the palm-size Z Fold 8. It’s not only incredibly satisfying to hold, but it’s also one of the most practical phones I’ve ever used. Its biggest drawback, perhaps, is having to step outside of Apple’s ecosystem — and risk getting booted from my group chats for “turning” messages green. (It’s shallow, but it’s true.)
With Apple expected to unveil its own passport-size foldable iPhone at its Sept. 9 event, the Z Fold 8 will either find itself living in that high-profile device’s shadow or benefit from renewed interest in foldable phones.
Setting the stage for a foldable iPhone
The Z Fold 8 is by no means perfect. It only has two rear cameras, a 50-megapixel wide and 50-megapixel ultrawide — no telephoto here. The 4,800-mAh battery is good enough to last a day and then some, but it’s not shattering any records. The device doesn’t have built-in magnets for Qi2 charging, which is disappointing for a phone released in 2026. It’s also wildly expensive, with a $1,900 starting price.
But the Z Fold 8 has something that outweighs all those downsides: a design that’s genuinely enjoyable to use. I can fire off texts and emails on the 5.5-inch cover screen, which, despite its compact size, never feels cramped. When I open it up, the 7.6-inch inner display gives me plenty of room to multitask or stream videos. Turn the Z Fold 8 on its side, and it transforms into a slab phone-tablet hybrid — perfect for scrolling through Instagram or hacking away in Google Docs.
Rumors suggest the foldable iPhone, speculatively dubbed the iPhone Ultra, could have a similar 4:3 aspect ratio. That means it may also feature some of the drawbacks of a more pocketable design, like scaled-back cameras and battery life compared to nonfolding premium phones. But if the iPhone Ultra’s design is anything like the Z Fold 8’s, it’s possible people won’t mind the trade-offs.
“With Apple, even when consumers are not getting the best value for money but it’s a novelty, they care less,” Francisco Jeronimo, vice president of client devices at International Data Corporation, told me late last month. “For the iPhone ‘Fold,’ consumers will not compare specs; either they want the form factor or not,” Jeronimo said. “They will be willing to compromise on the camera because they want the foldable.”
I’m curious to see how Apple could reshape this evolving category and nudge it forward. IDC forecasts that global foldable shipments will grow more than 12% this year, with Apple’s expected entry helping to drive that growth. The research firm also expects Apple to ship more than 17 million foldable iPhones by 2027, giving the company nearly 40% global market share by the end of next year.
Maybe Apple will surprise us with a more traditional book-style foldable, like the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra or the Pixel 11 Pro Fold. Both are excellent phones that earned strong CNET reviews, but with more standard foldable designs, I can’t say I find myself reaching for either one as often as I do the Z Fold 8. So I’m crossing my fingers that Apple has another irresistible foldable up its sleeve — one that can compete for my attention.
Abrar Al-Heeti
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