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Is a foldable smartphone actually worth it? Questions answered about the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra
(Image credit: Future)

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is a premium foldable device designed to work like a conventional smartphone when closed and provide an expansive 8-inch workspace when opened.

That sounds appealing, but it also raises practical questions about durability, productivity, cameras and battery life. Here are the straightforward answers everyone interested in buying the device should know about.

TL;DR: Is the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra worth considering?

  • The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is best suited to people who will regularly use its larger foldable display for multitasking, media and mobile work.
  • Multi Window lets you run two apps side by side, while App Continuity moves tasks from the cover screen to the main display when unfolded.
  • It combines flagship hardware, including a 200MP main camera, a 5,000mAh battery and a reinforced folding structure.
  • Premium foldable compromises remain, including the need for a protective case and the fact that the 45W charger is sold separately.
  • If you mainly use your phone for calls and quick messages, the larger display may not feel essential, but for productivity it offers features conventional phones cannot match.

Will the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra survive everyday use?

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is designed to cope with the repeated opening, closing and handling that come with everyday use. It pairs the Armor FlexHinge with an Advanced Armor Aluminium frame, with the Flex Titanium structure reinforcing the folding display. The external screen is protected by Corning® Gorilla® Glass Ceramic 3.

The phone also has an IP48 water-resistance rating¹, which is reassuring in rainy conditions or when there is an accidental spill. That said, Samsung does not recommend using the phone at the beach or in a swimming pool.

If accidental damage is a concern, a sensible upgrade would be Samsung’s Carbon Magnet Case, which offers protection and includes magnets for connecting compatible chargers and accessories.

For more coverage around the screen and hinge, the Hybrid Shield Magnet Case adds raised edges and hinge protection. The Clear Case is another option for anyone who wants protection without hiding the phone’s design.

Is the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra genuinely more productive than a conventional phone?

Yes, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra can be more productive than a conventional phone, thanks to features like Multi Window mode and App Continuity.

Multi Window mode is great for multitasking because it lets you keep two parts of a task visible at the same time, rather than repeatedly switching between apps. You can compare a calendar with an email, follow directions while messaging someone, or review a document alongside your notes on the extended display.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra

(Image credit: Future)

App Continuity complements that experience by moving your active workflow from the cover screen to the main display when you unfold the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. One UI 9 provides the interface around those features, including a dashboard for accessing the phone’s AI tools.

That will not replace a laptop for every job, but it can make common mobile tasks less cramped and fragmented, especially if you’re on the move a lot and using a larger device isn’t always an option.

For example, you could edit a presentation while referencing notes in another app, or reply to emails while checking information in a browser without constantly switching between screens.

Can the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra camera compete with other premium phones?

Yes, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra has a flagship-level 200MP main camera enhanced with HDR. HDR is designed to balance bright and dark parts of a scene, which can help preserve detail in challenging or mixed lighting.²

The phone also uses an AI Image Signal Processor to refine details such as hair, skin tones and fine textures. Samsung’s ProVisual Engine supports the wider camera system, including Nightography for low-light shooting and Super Steady video with Horizontal Lock for smoother handheld footage.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra

(Image credit: Future)

You can scrutinise images a lot better on the large 8-inch display, use Photo Assist to add, remove or enhance objects, and compare an edited image with the original in Multi Window.³

Will the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra battery last through a busy day?

Yes, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is well equipped for all-day use, with its 5,000mAh typical-capacity battery offering the largest capacity of any Galaxy Fold device.⁴

Actual battery life will depend on factors including screen brightness, network conditions, apps used and how often you use the main display, so the battery size alone cannot guarantee a specific number of hours.

When the battery does run low – and it probably won’t happen too often, considering the up to 27-hour video playback performance – the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra supports 45W Super-Fast Charging 2.0 (the required 45W charger is sold separately⁵). It also supports 20W wireless charging with a compatible charger, which is sold separately.

Who is the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra best suited to?

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is best suited to people who want more from their phone than calls, messages and social media, including professionals, multitaskers and content creators.

Its large inner display makes it ideal for working across two apps, reviewing documents, editing photos or enjoying media without needing to carry another device.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra

(Image credit: Future)

Someone who doesn’t jump between apps and primarily wants the smallest possible handset may not get as much value from the folding design. But for those who regularly feel restricted by a conventional phone screen, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is a meaningful functional upgrade.

If you think the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is the right choice for your multitasking, photography, and everyday mobile work, then please visit the Samsung website for more info.

¹ IP48 rating based on laboratory test conditions for submersion in up to 1.5 meters of freshwater for up to 30 minutes. Not advised for beach or pool use.

² Camera results may vary depending on lighting and shooting conditions, including multiple subjects, subjects being out of focus or moving subjects.

³ Photo Assist requires a network connection and Samsung account login. A visible watermark is overlaid on saved images generated using the feature. Accuracy of output is not guaranteed.

⁴ Typical value tested under third-party laboratory conditions. The rated minimum battery capacity of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is 4,855mAh.

⁵ The 45W Super Fast Charger is sold separately.