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Amazon has discounted the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra to $1,699.99, marking a $400 reduction from its original retail price of $2,099.99. This deal, available exclusively to Prime members, is the lowest price since the device's launch in August 2026. The foldable features a slimmer design, a high-end Snapdragon processor, and a 200MP main camera, making it a flagship device at a significant discount.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Multiple Samsung Galaxy device owners, mostly using the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, report that YouTube videos freeze with audio still playing after switching away from the app and back. The issue has been discussed for weeks on a Korean Samsung community forum, with some users of the standard Z Fold 8 and Galaxy S26 Ultra also reporting similar problems. Samsung has not publicly responded to the reports.
Apple has launched its first foldable phone as the iPhone Duo rather than the rumored iPhone Ultra, positioning it as a premium but not top-tier device that lacks a telephoto camera and has a smaller battery than the iPhone 18 Pro Max. The compact, palm-size Duo starts at $1,999 and will be available October 23, competing more closely with Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 than its flagship Z Fold 8 Ultra, which starts at $2,100 and is already on sale with Samsung's best camera and battery specs.
Vivo's X Fold 6 foldable is expected to expand beyond its home market into Europe, positioning it as a direct competitor to Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. Reports suggest the device could ship with double the storage of Samsung's flagship while matching its price point.
Apple has entered the foldable phone market with its iPhone Duo, adopting the same short, wide 'passport-style' form factor that Samsung recently introduced with the Galaxy Z Fold 8. Samsung, which also supplies Apple's folding display components, reported that the Z Fold 8 and its larger Z Fold 8 Ultra variant are selling 30 percent better than last year's Fold 7 in their first month on the market.
Apple's new iPhone 18 Pro models launch $100 more expensive than last year, mirroring similar $100 increases from Google's Pixel 11, Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, Motorola's Razr lineup, and Sony's Xperia 10 VIII. Apple also raised prices on its older iPhone models still for sale, closing off any workaround for budget-conscious buyers.