GoKawiilStephen Radochia / Android Authority
I didn’t know what to expect when I got my hands on the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. I knew what I’d read in the leaks, but it’s difficult to get the full story until you use the device yourself. I was most excited about the wider Galaxy Z Fold 8, and that phone hasn’t disappointed. But I was still curious what changes Samsung made to earn the Ultra moniker.
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra enters a different marketplace than its predecessor. The Motorola Razr Fold is impressive, with plenty of innovations, and I was eager to see how Samsung would counter. There are plenty of reasons why you’d want a Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra in your pocket, but the phone has left me with one expensive question.
Is the better camera system on the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra worth an extra $200 to you? 7 votes Absolutely, I want a telephoto lens and all 200MP. 43 % No, I'll get by just fine with the 50MP on the wider Z Fold 8. 57 %
Samsung didn’t leave everything the same on the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra
At first glance, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra seems virtually unchanged from last year’s model. Its exterior design remains the same, but that’s not a bad thing. Samsung did most of the heavy lifting on the Galaxy Z Fold 7, giving it a much-needed overhaul and bringing its foldable designs into this century, so I have zero problem with the company running it back another year. However, the Z Fold 8 Ultra is a tenth of a millimeter thinner and a couple of grams lighter, adding to its reputation as a sleek and stylish foldable.
I am pleased that Samsung addressed my biggest complaint about the Galaxy Z Fold 7. The Z Fold 8 Ultra features a 5,000mAh battery, up from 4,400mAh in its predecessor. It’s not a completely silicon-carbon anode (Samsung is experimenting with an undisclosed percentage), but it’s enough to make a larger battery fit into the slim chassis of the Z Fold 8 Ultra.
Samsung is billing the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra as a phone for creators, so it’s welcome to have a battery that can last all day while I’m using the inner display. I doubt I’ll get the two days I get from the 6,000mAh cell in the Motorola Razr Fold, but I’m happy with the increase, especially since it didn’t make the phone thicker.
Stephen Radochia / Android Authority
In addition to a larger battery, Samsung gave the Z Fold 8 Ultra faster 45W charging. It still doesn’t match what we see on the Motorola Razr Fold or other devices from overseas, but it’s a start. Combined with the company dipping its toes in the silicon-carbon waters, I’m hoping it’s a sign that Samsung is finally putting the Galaxy Note 7 behind it.
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