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
Should you add a screen protector to the inner display of the Galaxy Z Fold8? It took me four attempts with four films to settle this. My answer: most people should leave the inner screen as it is. Samsung asks you not to add one, and the phone already ships with a protective layer on that display.
If scratches really worry you, choose a film that comes with an alignment frame and has some stiffness to it. The ELECOM film was the only one I managed to apply cleanly. The black-edged glass for the cover screen, on the other hand, was easy and worth it.
What I tested
| Attempt | Film | Method | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Newzerol set, inner EPU film | By hand | Bubbles stayed, gave up |
| 2 | Newzerol set, second film | Wet install with tap water | Shifted while aligning |
| 3 | Hydrogel film from AliExpress | Alignment kit | Perfect position, visible lines |
| 4 | ELECOM PM-G268FLFUG | Included applicator | Small bubbles gone within hours |
What I found
- Cover screen glass: the black-edged glass in the Newzerol set went on easily and did not hide any of the display. The edge looks less seamless than newer 3D-edge glass, but a case hides that.
- Camera lens cover: it made the camera bump look bigger overall, so I removed it.
- Soft inner films: the inner display is large and the EPU film is very soft. Any trapped air makes the surface wavy, which you notice when you touch it.
- Wet install: water let me slide the film a little, but on a screen this big it drifted out of place before I could finish.
- Alignment kit: the hydrogel film landed exactly in place, but because each half is applied separately, a vertical line was left in the middle.
- ELECOM: the film has more body than the others. A few small bubbles remained at first and disappeared after three to four hours. With the screen on, I could barely tell it was there.
The ELECOM film is sold as fingerprint resistant, but I did not notice much difference. It is also slightly smaller than the factory layer, so its edge sits right at the lit area and can look rainbow-colored at an angle.
Who it is for
- Skip the inner film if you are not confident applying screen protectors, or if you worry about lifting the factory layer when removing it.
- Consider the ELECOM film if scratches on the inner screen bother you more than a small risk of extra stress on the fold.
- Almost everyone can add the cover screen glass.
Watch the videos
These four videos are in Japanese. The ELECOM attempt is first; the earlier attempts follow in order.
Limitations
This is my own experience with one phone over a short period, not a durability test. I cannot say how an added film affects the fold over months of use. Prices mentioned in the videos were Amazon Japan prices at the time of recording: 2,199 yen for the Newzerol set and 1,618 yen for the ELECOM film. The ELECOM and Newzerol products are listed on Amazon Japan.
Products
ELECOM Galaxy Z Fold8 film PM-G268FLFUG: on Amazon Japan
Newzerol Galaxy Z Fold 8 protector set: 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
All Screen & Lens Protectors (27) →Browse all English reviews →
This review is also available in Japanese.