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Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 with 256GB storage has dropped to $1,549.99 at Amazon, down from $1,899.99, with Best Buy pricing it $100 higher. The Z Fold 8 Ultra now starts at $1,699.99, down from $2,099.99, marking $150 off its previous lowest price.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 is now available at $1,749.99, a $350 discount from its original $2,099.99 price, during Amazon's Prime Day event. The device features a wider, shorter design with enhanced multitasking capabilities and improved battery life, making it a popular choice among foldable smartphones. The deal requires Amazon Prime membership, which can be trialed for free for 30 days.
Samsung has launched the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, highlighting its refined hardware, impressive inner display, and flagship Snapdragon processor. Despite its high performance and sleek design, the device's premium price of over $2,000 may deter many potential buyers.
Android Authority's Aamir Siddiqui argues that for the price of Apple's base 256GB iPhone 18 Pro Max, buyers have strong Android alternatives. His picks include the Google Pixel 11 Pro XL, Motorola Razr Ultra (2026), Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, and Galaxy Z Flip 8. A reader poll accompanying the piece shows the Galaxy S26 Ultra as the most popular alternative at 42% of votes.
Android Authority's Tushar Mehta has used the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 exclusively for about a month and reports that its squatter, wider cover-screen design has made him view taller, conventional-sized flagship phones as unwieldy by comparison. He says he no longer wants to use phones with displays larger than 6.7 inches, a size that has become standard for Android flagships.
Vivo has expanded global availability of its X Fold 6 book-style foldable, now listed in Austria, Germany, Hungary and Italy after debuting in China in June. The global model keeps the same 6,900mAh battery, 200MP main camera, and Zeiss-tuned triple-camera system, but runs a newer Origin OS 7 skin based on Android 17. It's powered by a custom Dimensity 9500 Super Edition chipset and supports a second-generation 200mm telephoto extender lens for 2.35x added optical zoom.
Samsung has released version 6.6.18.22 of the Galaxy Store, relocating the Menu option from the top-left hamburger icon to the floating bottom bar. The bottom bar now holds four items: Apps, Games, My Galaxy, and Menu. The update is rolling out globally to Galaxy devices, including those running One UI 8.5 and One UI 9.
New leaks detail Motorola's rumored widescreen foldable, the Razr Wide Fold, pointing to a 6.92-inch 165Hz inner display, a 5,000mAh battery and Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chip. Physical mock-ups reveal a compact, stubby design with rounded edges that appears thicker than Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8, alongside dual 50MP rear cameras, a 32MP selfie camera and Qi2 charging, with a launch expected around mid-December.
Foldable phone cases typically ship in two pieces covering the back, sides, camera island and front screen perimeter, guarding against drops, shock and scratches. Most basic cases skip full 360-degree coverage and leave the hinge exposed, while rugged options from brands like Casetify, Supcase and Otterbox add hinge protection and built-in screen protectors at the cost of extra bulk.
A tech commentary compares foldable phone screen sizes to compact tablets, noting devices like the Pixel 11 Pro Fold and Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra offer displays close in size to the iPad Mini's 8.3-inch screen. The piece argues that folding phones combine smartphone portability with tablet-like screen space, and can eliminate the need for a separate cellular data plan that many tablets require.
Reports indicate that sales of Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 have increased following Apple's announcement of the iPhone Duo, its rumored foldable device. Samsung has responded by lowering prices on some of its foldable phones in certain markets. Foldables remain a small slice of the overall smartphone market, with IDC estimating 20.6 million foldable shipments last year against 1.25 billion total smartphone shipments.
Reports on Apple's foldable iPhone Duo say its screen uses a matte coating that reduces glare and makes the fold line less visible than on rival foldables. Early hands-on impressions describe the crease as more noticeable by touch than by sight, but reviewers note this only reflects the device's current, unused state.