- Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra: Price
- Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra: Camera
- Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra: Connectivity
- Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra: Design
- Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra: Display
- Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra: Performance
- Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra: Battery
- Should you get the Galaxy Z Fold 8 or Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra?
Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold line-up is doubling in size this year, with the manufacturer slated to introduce the new Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra alongside a revamped version of the standard Galaxy Z Fold.
While both devices certainly fall into the premium segment when it comes to price and specs, there's a lot to unpack when it comes to their various differences and similarities. Neither is cheap, but the two offer very different visions of what a premium foldable experience looks like.
If you're on the fence, we're here to help run through everything you need to know about Samsung's latest big-screen foldables. To start, let’s compare the specifications of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra:
| Galaxy Z Fold 8 | Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|
| Outside Display | 5.5-inch 120Hz | 6.5-inch 120Hz |
| Insider Display | 7.6-inch 120Hz | 8-inch 120Hz |
| Rear Cameras | 50MP + 50MP | 20MP + 10MP + 50MP |
| Front Camera | 10MP + 10MP | 10MP + 10MP |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 |
| Storage | 256GB - 1TBB | 256GB - 1TB |
| RAM | 12GB | 12GB - 16GB |
| Water-Resistance | IP48 | IP48 |
| Battery | 4,800mAh | 5,000mAh |
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| WiFi | WiFi 7 | WiFi 7 |
| eSIM | Yes | Yes |
| Frame | Aluminium | Aluminium |
| Durability | Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 | Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 |
| Price | $2,699 | $2,999 |
Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra: Price
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra are the most expensive devices that Samsung has brought to market in 2026. The cheaper of the two is the standard Fold 8, which starts at $2,699. The Galaxy Fold 8 Ultra naturally starts at a higher price point of $2,999. When it comes to affordability, the former is the obvious winner.
Having said that though, it is worth keeping in mind that the two devices are not as closely aligned as the names might suggest. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is a successor to last year's ultra-expensive Galaxy Z Fold 7, while the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is a new middle-ground between the Ultra and the Galaxy Z Flip 8 when it comes to price.
Compare the cheapest Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra plans below:
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 256GB Plans
|
#1
|
Optus
$60 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$97.28/mth
Min. cost $2,737.56
|
|
#2
|
Vodafone
$58 Small Plan
$119.97/mth
Min. cost $2,743.92
|
|
#3
|
Telstra
$84 Essential Upfront Mobile Plan
$148.97/mth
Min. cost $2,772.92
Link not supplied
|
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra 256GB Plans
|
#1
|
Optus
$60 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$122.30/mth
Min. cost $3,037.80
|
|
#2
|
Vodafone
$58 Small Plan
$128.30/mth
Min. cost $3,043.80
|
|
#3
|
Telstra
$84 Essential Upfront Mobile Plan
$157.30/mth
Min. cost $3,072.80
Link not supplied
|
Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra: Camera
Behind the size difference, the camera side of things might be the biggest difference between the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra.
Although both devices feature an identical setup when it comes to the selfie camera and cover display cameras (which are both 10MP in resolution), the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra boasts a more complete set of rear-mounted cameras. The device features a 50MP ultra-wide lens, a 200MP main camera and a 10MP telephoto lens. For comparison, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 only features two cameras on the back: a 50MP main camera and a 50MP ultra-wide.
We've been lucky enough to take both camera setups for a spin. While the math here adds up in a way that suggests that those who care about their smartphone photography are likely to be better served by the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, you can check out the images below to decide for yourself.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 camera samples
Check out these camera samples taken on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8. Click or tap on any photo to see a larger version.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra camera samples
For a sense of what the camera on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra can do fresh out of the box, check out the image gallery below. Click or tap on any photo to see a larger version.
Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra: Connectivity
Both the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra have 5G connectivity. They support a single physical nano SIM as well as eSIM and WiFi 7.
Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra: Design
While the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra might look similar takes on the same idea at a glance, there's a pretty significant difference in the overall form-factor. The smaller Galaxy Z Fold 8 is smaller in size and offers a more rectangular 4:3 aspect ratio when unfolded. Depending on how you’re holding it, you’ll get either a Kindle-like reading experience or a more cinematic aspect ratio for gaming and video content.
In comparison, the form factor and design of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is more in line with last year's Galaxy Z Fold 7. Unfolded, it features a larger 8-inch display with a more squared-off shape. Meanwhile, on the front, it features a 6.5-inch cover display.
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is billed as the lightest in the line to date. Conversely, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is said to be Samsung's slimmest Galaxy Z Fold yet. Both devices also incorporate an anti-reflective display and new flex titanium durability and a screen with a less visible crease. Finally, the hinge design on both has also been tweaked to allow for easier opening.
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 comes in three colour variants: Graphite, Cream, and Lavender. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is available in two of the same shades, but ditches Lavender for a Violet Shadow instead.
Both the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra are rated IP48 for water resistance. This means they can be submerged to depths of up to 1.5m for as long as half an hour and come with protection against larger dust particles that might find their way inside the device.
Dodo's NBN 500 Unlimited plan is our pick for the best NBN 500 plan for September.
|
Dodo
FTTP, HFC
Editor's Pick
nbn500 Unlimited Plan
$62.99/mth
Min. cost $62.99
|
Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra: Display
Although the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra differ when it comes to the size of the screens involved, they do share plenty of display specs. Both the 5.5-inch cover display on the Fold 8 and the 6.5-inch cover display on the Fold 8 Ultra are Dynamic AMOLED 2X screens clocked at 120Hz.
It's the same story for the screens on the inside of either device. Both the 8-inch screen on the inside of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra and the 7.6-inch one on the Galaxy Z Fold 8 are Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays, though the former does have a slightly higher number of pixels-per-inch.
The displays (and backs) on both phones are protected with Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2, which promises to offer additional protection against scratches and drops of up to one metre.
Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra: Performance
When it comes to under-the-hood performance and specs, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra have more in common than you might think. Both devices are powered by a custom variant of Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and 12GB of RAM as a baseline. Both devices also come with seven years of major operating system upgrades and seven years of security updates.
While the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra's battery is slightly larger than the one found inside the Fold 8, the more significant deviation between the two has to do with memory. Both devices come in 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB variants, but those who shell out for the last option on the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra will get 16GB of RAM instead of 12GB,
All of this is to say that while the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra are built to offer broadly consistent performance, the more expensive of the two does technically have a higher ceiling so long as you're willing to pay the premium for the extra storage.
Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra: Battery
While the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra's 5,000mAh battery is slightly larger than the 4,800mAh one found inside the Fold 8, there shouldn't be a huge difference in battery performance between the two. We'll have to do more testing once we have our hands on the hardware, but on paper, any advantage that the Ultra has when it comes to battery size is likely to be balanced out by the fact that it has to power a larger set of displays.
Having said that, the two devices do differ when it comes to fast charging. A 30-minute charge will take the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra from flat to 67%, while a 30-minute charge will take the Galaxy Z Fold 8 to 63%.
Should you get the Galaxy Z Fold 8 or Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra?
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra might sound similar, but the two have just as much in common as they do apart. Those who prefer a larger display and a more powerful camera setup are likely to be better off with the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. However, those who are happy with a more compact size, a more tablet-like form-factor, and a cheaper asking price might have a better time with the Galaxy Z Fold 8.
Would you get the Galaxy Z Fold 8 or the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra?
Fergus Halliday
Digital Content Editor
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