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.
Quick take
The Galaxy Z Fold8 changes the shape of the Fold: it now opens into a wide, landscape-style screen instead of a tall one. Straight out of the box, the crease is almost invisible once the screen is on, the phone measured about 5.1 mm thick when open and 205 g on my scale, and it closes flat with no gap at the hinge. These are first impressions only, but I struggled to find a real weakness.
What I tested
- Galaxy Z Fold8, 256 GB, cream, bought with my own money (device only, no carrier plan)
- My reference point: I used a Galaxy Z Fold4 for about a year a few years ago
- Unboxing, the crease with the screen on, thickness and weight next to my iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPad mini, the wide screen, face unlock, the camera app and the hinge
What I found
- The box is small. Inside: a USB-C to USB-C cable, a SIM tool and a quick start guide.
- The inner screen carries a notice not to apply films or stickers to it, so think twice before buying an inner screen protector.
- With a white screen lit, I could barely see the crease at all. Opening and closing also feels far more refined than my old Fold4.
- The front camera is a punch hole. It is slightly visible on white backgrounds but does not bother me.
- Open, it is about the size of an iPad mini, with much thinner bezels than the iPad mini.
- The wide aspect ratio is great for video and for reading long answers in AI apps. Typing takes a little getting used to, but two-handed typing is easy.
- Face unlock was fast. The cover screen is big enough for everyday tasks.
- The dual rear camera and its bump look a lot like the back of an iPhone 17, and the camera app with 0.6x, 1x and 2x buttons feels familiar too.
- Folded, the hinge side is no thicker than the other side, and the two halves meet flat. It opens easily even without a finger notch.
- Closed, it is wider than an iPhone, so the iPhone is easier to hold one-handed. If that matters most, the taller Fold8 Ultra keeps the classic shape.
Measurements
| Galaxy Z Fold8 | iPhone 17 Pro Max | iPad mini | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thickness (measured) | About 5.1 mm open / about 10.1 mm closed | 9.5 mm (with glass screen protector) | 6.8 mm |
| Weight (measured) | 205 g | Heavier than the Fold8 | 315 g |
My iPhone had a glass screen protector and lens guards on, which adds a little thickness and weight.
Who it is for
- Good fit: you want a big landscape screen for video and AI apps in something thin and light, and you are curious about foldables.
- Think twice: one-handed grip when folded is your priority, or you do not want to leave the iPhone. Apple is also expected to launch its own foldable, so waiting is reasonable if you are staying on iOS.
One design note: I prefer the square corners here. On a foldable with rounded corners, the folded edge ends up straight while the other corners are round, which looks a little mismatched to me.
Watch the review
The video is in Japanese, but the crease and hinge are easy to see. Chapters: 00:36 unboxing, 05:37 screen on and crease check, 07:37 size next to iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPad mini, 10:11 thickness and weight, 11:51 the wide screen, 14:37 the flat hinge, 18:14 verdict.
Limitations
These are first impressions right after unboxing, without a SIM and without long-term use. I did not test battery life, camera image quality or durability. Thickness and weight were measured with my own caliper and kitchen scale.
Products
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8, 256 GB, cream: on Amazon Japan
The Amazon Japan link above is an affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Japanese models may differ from those sold in your country, so check the listing for the exact model, current price and shipping availability in your region.
More reviews in English
All Phones (10) →Browse all English reviews →
This review is also available in Japanese.