This is the English edition of a review from my Japanese YouTube channel, iestaLife. I review gadgets from my home studio in Japan, so product links go to Amazon Japan. I bought this case with my own money.
Quick take
The BENKS "Grand Combo" for the Galaxy Z Fold8 is an aramid-fibre case that covers the front, back and hinge, adds MagSafe, and ships with its own glass screen protector. At 31.4 g and about 13 mm thick with the case on, it is light and slim for a hinge-protecting case, and the fit and finish are the best of the aramid cases I've used. The one real downside: opened up and stood on its side, the external hinge cover makes the phone wobble and lean.
What I tested
- BENKS Galaxy Z Fold8 Grand Combo (black), with the case's adhesive strips left off at first for comparison
- My Galaxy Z Fold8 with a slightly smaller Spigen glass protector already fitted
- Other aramid and hinge cases I own: PITAKA, Sisyphy and araree Aero Flex M
How it compares
| Case | Coverage | Weight (measured) |
|---|---|---|
 | Front, back, hinge + matching glass protector | 31.4 g (back + hinge part: 28.4 g) |
| PITAKA aramid case | Back only | 16.7 g |
| Sisyphy aramid case | Front and back, no hinge cover | 20.3 g |
| araree Aero Flex M | Front, back, retracting hinge cover | 36.9 g |
What I found
- Precision: the edges wrap closely around the phone's shape. Even without the adhesive it was hard to pull off, and the Fold8 was easy to open.
- Smooth hinge: some hinge-protecting cases add a little drag when you fold and unfold. This one felt like a case with no hinge cover at all.
- Thin: about 13 mm with the case on, versus about 15 mm with the araree.
- Wobble when open: standing the opened phone on a MagSafe stand or a desk, the hinge cover sits outside and the phone tilts. The araree's hinge cover retracts into the case when you open it, so it barely wobbles.
- Glass protector: the front bezel is very thin, so the matching black-edged glass can cover more of the screen with almost no gap. It is large, though, and will probably clash with cases that have a thicker front frame.
Who it's for
- Fold8 owners who want hinge protection while keeping the phone as slim as possible
- People who mostly use the phone in hand, folded, and care about how a case looks and feels
- Less suitable if you often prop the phone open on a stand to watch videos — consider a retracting-hinge case like the araree
Watch the review
The video is in Japanese (English captions are available on YouTube). Useful chapters: 06:58 weight comparison, 08:09 fitting it to the Fold8, 09:26 MagSafe and the wobble test, 10:44 thickness, 11:53 compared with araree.
Limitations
These are first impressions from fitting and using the case, not a drop test, and I hadn't fitted the BENKS glass protector at the time. It cost ¥19,800 at regular price and about ¥17,800 in an Amazon Japan sale when I bought it.
Products
BENKS Galaxy Z Fold8 Grand Combo: on Amazon Japan
araree Aero Flex M (Galaxy Z Fold8): on Amazon Japan
Spigen Slim Armor Pro MagFit (Galaxy Z Fold8): on Amazon Japan
Sisyphy aramid case (Galaxy Z Fold8): on Amazon Japan
PITAKA aramid case Moonrise (Galaxy Z Fold8): on Amazon Japan
The Amazon Japan links above are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Check the listing for the exact model, current price and shipping availability in your region.
More reviews in English
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This review is also available in Japanese.