GoKawiilRyan Haines / Android Authority
The first Android phone I bought was a Samsung foldable — the Galaxy Z Flip 3. I upgraded to the Galaxy Z Fold 4 the following year, but somewhere along the way, Galaxy foldables lost me. I kept trying review units of newer models, but they never convinced me they belonged in my pocket full-time. Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 came the closest to earning a permanent spot in my pocket, and I used it for weeks at a time on multiple occasions throughout the past year.
There were still a few lingering flaws about the Galaxy Z Fold 7 that held me back, but Samsung has the perfect opportunity to fix them with the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. Give me a foldable worthy of the “Ultra” name, and I’m back in. But given the rising cost of smartphones across the board, I can’t justify spending upwards of $2,000 on the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra if it doesn’t offer these specific improvements.
What's your biggest wish for the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra? 34 votes A better design 35 % Longer battery life 32 % Faster charging 0 % Qi2 magnets 6 % Scratch-resistant cover glass 6 % New ultrawide and telephoto cameras 21 %
A design that matches the dimensions
Brady Snyder / Android Authority
Older Galaxy foldables look ancient in 2026, with the Galaxy Z Fold 4 appearing sorely out of place compared to the Galaxy Z Fold 7. The boxy design felt modern yet functional on the Galaxy Z Fold 6. The extra thickness and weight compared to newer models gave it a substantial feeling as I held it. The latest Galaxy Z Fold 7 kept the same general design language as the Fold 6, but cut about three millimeters off its thickness and 24 grams off its weight.
That completely changed the look and feel of the Galaxy Z Fold 7’s chassis, and the rectangular shape became more difficult to maneuver. It handled like a smaller Galaxy S26 Ultra when closed, and an ultra-thin tablet when opened. The problem was getting from one form factor to the other. The thin side rails on each half of the device, paired with the boxy characteristics, made it tricky to open up.
At 8.9mm thick and weighing 215 grams, I don’t think Galaxy foldables have a size problem anymore. I’d take a thinner or lighter Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, but focusing on the dimensions alone would be a mistake. Instead, I’d like to see Samsung reimagine the Galaxy Z Fold 8’s design to align with the much thinner and lighter profile. We’re still using foldables with Galaxy Z Fold 6 design elements, and subtle tweaks to accommodate the new dimensions would go a long way toward making the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra easier to use.
Longer battery life
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