The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra’s additional telephoto lens and larger display provide some advantage in zoomed shots, but Tom’s Guide finds the improvements are less significant in everyday use than the price suggests.
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra offers a clear camera advantage over the standard Galaxy Z Fold 8, but Tom’s Guide’s real-world test suggests the gap is narrower than the price difference might imply. The Fold 8 Ultra, which costs $200 more, adds a dedicated 3x telephoto lens and extends digital zoom to 30x, while the cheaper Fold 8 relies on cropping and tops out at 10x.
In side-by-side shots at 3x and 4x, the Ultra was often ahead on fine detail, with sharper text and cleaner edges, but not by a dramatic margin. In some scenes, the regular Fold 8 actually produced the more pleasing image, thanks to brighter exposure or a slightly crisper rendering of foreground subjects. The biggest contrast emerged in shots that needed longer zoom, where the Ultra’s optical lens gave it a real, though still modest, lead.
Tom’s Guide found the difference became most obvious at 10x, where the Fold 8 Ultra delivered more legible signage and clearer texture in objects such as a statue’s clothing and ornamental metalwork. Even so, both phones struggled as magnification increased, showing that beyond a certain point digital zoom alone can only do so much without stronger processing or a longer lens.
That broader picture fits with the phones’ hardware splits. According to SamMobile, the regular Fold 8 has a dual rear camera array with 50MP wide and 50MP ultrawide lenses, plus no telephoto unit at all, while the Fold 8 Ultra adds a 10MP 3x telephoto camera and upgrades the main sensor to 200MP. The Ultra also carries a larger 8-inch inner display, compared with 7.6 inches on the Fold 8, and a bigger 6.5-inch cover screen against 5.5 inches on the standard model.
Taken together, the Ultra looks like the more capable all-round device, but not necessarily the better value for every buyer. Tom’s Guide concluded that the telephoto lens is useful and welcome, particularly for closer framing and clearer zoomed shots, yet not enough on its own to justify the extra outlay. For users who prefer the Fold 8’s lighter, wider design, the cheaper model still makes a strong case.
Disclaimer: This content is intended for informational purposes only. Readers are advised to exercise their own judgement, conduct due diligence, or consult a qualified expert before acting on any information provided.
