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
I bought Ringke’s clear Fusion Flap case for my Galaxy Z Fold8. It supports MagSafe and covers the hinge. I had mostly used aramid-fibre cases until now, so I wanted to see how a clear case works on a foldable. It is very transparent and suits the white Fold8, but it feels thick when the phone is open, so for me it is “not quite there”.
What I tested
- Ringke Fusion Flap for Galaxy Z Fold8 (magnetic clear, hinge protection): about ¥3,700 on Amazon Japan at the time of recording, which is cheap for a foldable case
- Compared it with what I had been using: a PITAKA aramid-fibre case on the back and a Sisyphy aramid-fibre case on the front, with the hinge exposed
- Weighed it, installed it, and tried it with a white MagSafe ring as a stand
- Used with a slightly undersized Spigen glass screen protector
What I found
- It comes in parts you assemble like a plastic model kit, with double-sided tape for the front piece and an installation guide.
- A note on the front piece: the part that grips the phone is narrow and comes off easily, so fix it with the included tape. The tape stays behind if you remove the case, so keep the spare.
- Screen protectors and cases can clash. Some bezel-style front pieces will not fit over certain glass protectors, especially ones with black borders. If you like switching cases, a slightly smaller glass protector is the safer choice, even if a little dust collects in the gap.
- It weighs 40.2 g on my scale. The aramid case is 19.1 g, so this is roughly twice as heavy. My favourite araree case, which also covers the hinge, is 36.9 g, so the Ringke is only slightly heavier and did not feel heavy in the hand.
- Installation is a bit fiddly. It slides on with a slightly sticky feel rather than snapping in, and the hinge piece has to be slotted into a tight spot before you fit it. Once the protective film is off, it is really clear.
- Protecting the hinge creates a bump on the back. With a MagSafe ring used as a landscape stand, the phone wobbled. That is the trade-off with any hinge-covering case. Portrait is fine, but I mostly watch videos in landscape, so it bothered me.
- When closed it is fine, but opened up it looks thick and a little clunky. Being clear, the tape holding the front piece shows through.
- It is a little hard to open with nothing attached. Pulling it open by the ring works, but the shape could probably make this easier.
| Ringke Fusion Flap | Aramid cases (PITAKA + Sisyphy) | araree case | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight (my scale) | 40.2 g | 19.1 g | 36.9 g |
| Hinge | Covered | Exposed | Covered |
| Look | Clear, shows the phone’s colour | Aramid fibre | — |
Who it’s for
At around ¥3,700 it is a reasonable go-to case, and a solid option if you want everything protected, hinge included. But the Galaxy Z Fold8 is a stylish phone, and since I care about thinness and looks, it fell a little short for me. Your verdict depends on whether you prioritise looks and slimness or full protection. If the wobble on a landscape stand matters to you, either give up hinge protection or look at the araree case, whose hinge cover tucks away when opened.
The video is in Japanese.
Limitations
These impressions come from a short period of use, not long-term testing of durability or yellowing. Weights are from my own kitchen scale. The price is the Amazon Japan price at the time of recording.
Products
Ringke Fusion Flap for Galaxy Z Fold8 (magnetic clear, hinge protection): on Amazon Japan
araree Aero Flex M for Galaxy Z Fold8: on Amazon Japan
PITAKA case for 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.