Samsung’s new Extremely foldable is spectacular, however I might pay shut consideration to this mannequin

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ZDNET’s key takeaways

• Samsung launched three foldable telephones at its Unpacked occasion in London.
• Its first ‘Extremely’ foldable, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Extremely, is a formidable gadget. 
• Nevertheless, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 has a singular kind issue that is very compelling.

Now that Samsung Unpacked is over and all of the telephones have been introduced, chances are you’ll be clamoring to get your preorder in for the all-new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Extremely. It’s, in any case, the primary Samsung foldable to bear the “Extremely” moniker. 

Additionally: Every part introduced at Samsung Unpacked 2026: New foldables, smartwatches, extra

However you would possibly need to maintain on for a second and take a look at the Samsung Galaxy Fold 8, too. Sure, the Fold 8 Extremely has quite a bit going for it, however the Fold 8 makes a powerful argument for itself, as effectively. A part of that’s as a result of Samsung is aware of what’s coming down the pipeline: a foldable iPhone — a product that would disrupt the market its traditionally dominated. 

Due to that, Samsung gave the Z Fold 8 some significantly compelling design options. Listed here are among the factors you would possibly need to think about earlier than dropping a severe chunk of change on the Extremely mannequin. 

The value is true

Initially, the Samsung Galaxy Fold 8 begins at $1,899, which is a full $200 lower than its extremely sibling. The variations between the 2 embrace a lacking 10MP telephoto digital camera, a smaller 50MP primary digital camera, 200 mAh of battery capability, and a smaller interior and canopy display screen. Of these compromises, I believed the decreased display screen dimension could be the deal breaker, however after spending a while with the telephone, I now not suppose that is the case.

We’re dwelling in a time the place smartphone costs are both going up, they’re staying the identical with fewer significant upgrades, or each. Saving a few benjamins today can go a good distance towards preserving your already strained price range. 

Kind meets perform

One in every of my criticisms of book-style foldables is the truth that the sq. kind issue is not nice for issues like content material consumption. They will also be unwieldy to carry. The Fold 8 just about eliminates that argument by turning itself right into a 4:3 pill if you open it. It is a smaller pill, for certain, but it surely’s an precise pill kind issue, not an oblong peg shoved right into a sq. gap.

Additionally: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Extremely vs. Z Fold 7: After a 12 months of utilization, I am able to improve

On paper, this does not sound like a giant deal. However, as soon as I obtained the telephone in my hand, it clicked. The duvet display screen is sweet as a result of you possibly can entry a lot of it with only one hand. I’ve gotten used to the finger gymnastics essential to navigate a taller telephone with one hand, however the squat display screen of the Galaxy 8 Fold adjustments all that.   

Whereas the telephone is shorter, it is also wider which will also be higher for studying; that’s, in any case a lot of what we do on our telephones. It stays to be seen which apps reply to that 10:16 facet ratio, nevertheless. The apps put in on the telephones on the hands-on session all regarded nice, however there are hundreds of thousands of others that won’t; your mileage might range. 

Solely two cameras?

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 doesn’t have a telephoto digital camera, which is a disgrace. Between an ultrawide digital camera and a telephoto, I would favor a telephoto each time. As a mother or father, I like taking images of my children doing child issues, and generally these issues are on a sports activities area or a stage, so I might like to have the ability to zoom in additional. 

Some fast testing of the 50-megapixel primary digital camera means that even as much as 10x, zoom is ok. I wasn’t capable of vet these outcomes on a bigger laptop display screen, however on the very least, the images are what I prefer to name “social media good” since that is most likely the place they’re going to find yourself anyway. 

Ultimiately, the lacking telephoto lens will not be actually that a lot of a difficulty. I’ve examined the 10MP digital camera on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Extremely and it positively falls into the “okay, however not nice” class. Whereas it is normally higher to have it and never want it, the proof means that not having will probably be okay. 

Additionally: I attempted Samsung’s new extensive Galaxy Z Fold 8, and it is my favourite product of Unpacked 2026

It could have been good if Samsung packed within the 200-megapixel shooter from the Extremely into this telephone, however then once more, this telephone will not be an Extremely. Maybe Samsung sees the 200-megapixel sensor as an extremely characteristic. However when all is claimed and executed, I believe it will be okay to dwell with out the digital camera completely.

The underside line: it is the higher purchase

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 sparks a real curiosity in me that, I will be trustworthy, a whole lot of telephones don’t summon. The shape issue feels very retro in a manner that is arduous to place my finger on. 

What I can say is that if this telephone didn’t unfold, it could be a very completely different story; the quilt display screen is simply too squat for me to make use of full time. It is not misplaced on me that one of many standards I exploit to evaluate a foldable is how a lot I can or need to use it when it is closed. That is slightly regarding to me and solely a correct evaluate interval will exhibit whether or not that opinion holds up.

What I can say for now’s that the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 is a beautiful telephone, and it is the one I am most keen to check out. However within the meantime, I feel that this telephone is the sleeper hit that Samsung produced and I actually hope that it succeeds, regardless of not being “Extremely.”