Samsung unveils the Galaxy Z Fold 8, featuring a broader, passport-like form factor, improved durability, and advanced multitasking capabilities, signalling a significant shift in foldable smartphone design.
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 marks a clear shift in the company’s foldable design language. Rather than the tall, narrow shape used on earlier Fold models, the new device is shorter and noticeably wider when closed, giving it a format closer to a passport than a traditional phone. Samsung’s UK listing says the handset measures 123.9 x 81.9 x 9.7mm folded, or 123.9 x 161.4 x 4.5mm when opened, and weighs 201g. That change is not just cosmetic: the wider cover screen should make the device easier to use one-handed and less awkward for everyday tasks.
The build remains firmly in premium territory. Samsung says the phone uses an Armour Aluminium frame, Gorilla Glass on the exterior, and a titanium-backed inner panel designed to improve rigidity. The company also says its Flex Titanium display structure is intended to reduce the visibility of the crease, which remains one of the defining weak points of foldable phones. In practice, the crease appears far less distracting than on older models, although the inner screen still uses a softer plastic top layer rather than conventional glass.
Durability is improved, but not without limits. Samsung gives the Galaxy Z Fold 8 an IP48 rating, which means it should handle immersion in fresh water but is only protected against limited dust ingress. That makes the phone more resilient than some earlier foldables, yet still vulnerable in dusty or sandy environments. For that reason, the design is still one that benefits from careful use, particularly on beaches or in other conditions where fine particles can enter the hinge area.
The display arrangement follows the same wider theme. Samsung lists a 7.6-inch inner display and a 5.5-inch cover screen, both with high pixel density and peak brightness rated at 3,000 nits. Android Central says the device is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, with configurations up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. Samsung also positions the handset as a multitasking device, with One UI 9 based on Android 17 and AI-assisted features aimed at switching between apps and camera use more efficiently.
Battery life and cameras follow a familiar flagship formula. Samsung says the Fold 8 carries a 4,800mAh battery rated for up to 26 hours of video playback, while its rear camera system centres on a 50MP main sensor with digital zoom. Android Central and SamMobile both report that the wider design is meant to make the phone more practical for media viewing, social content and browsing, especially on the cover display. In the UK, Samsung lists the handset at £1,699 and offers it in Lavender, Cream, Graphite and Pistachio, with the purple finish presented as the standout colour.
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