The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is a dual-display foldable with a 5.5-inch cover screen on the outside and a 7.6-inch main display inside. The two screens are also shaped differently, which affects how apps, video, articles and other content appear when you move between them.
The cover screen has a 10:16 aspect ratio in portrait, while the main display opens into a much squarer 4:3 shape. Both are Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays with an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120Hz.
TL;DR:
- The Galaxy Z Fold 8 combines a 5.5-inch 10:16 cover display with a larger 7.6-inch 4:3 main display, giving you two screen shapes for different uses.
- App Continuity and One UI 9 help supported apps adjust as you move between the displays.
- The larger inner screen is particularly useful for reading, watching video and multitasking with Multi Window.
What is an aspect ratio?
An aspect ratio is simply the relationship between a screen’s width and height. A tall smartphone display and a square tablet display can have similar screen sizes measured diagonally but feel very different to use because their proportions are different.
The Galaxy Z Fold 8’s 10:16 cover screen suits vertically scrolling content, while the 4:3 main display gives you a wider canvas when the phone is open. Samsung specifically positioned the latter for longer-form content such as articles, e-books, and video.
What happens to an app when you unfold the Galaxy Z Fold 8?
If you have a supported app open on the cover screen and unfold the phone, App Continuity can move onto the larger main display without you having to reopen it or find your place again.
The layout may change to make better use of the extra space. For example, an article can show more information at once on the wider screen rather than simply making everything bigger.
You can also choose whether selected apps continue running on the cover display when you close the Fold 8. Samsung provides these controls within the phone’s display settings.
Do apps get stretched on the larger display?
No, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 doesn’t simply stretch apps to fill the available space. Android and One UI can adjust how compatible apps are presented based on the screen being used, and Samsung also lets you control how individual apps use the display.
Under the Full screen apps settings, you can select how supported apps appear, with the available options changing depending on whether the Fold 8 is open or closed.
Not every third-party app will behave in exactly the same way, so you may occasionally see unused space or a layout that looks better on one display than the other. But the Fold 8 gives you options to adjust how apps use its unusual screen shapes and doesn’t force one layout across both displays.
Is the main display better for video and gaming?
The Galaxy Z Fold 8’s main display specs include:
- 7.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display
- 1,848 x 2,448 QXGA+ resolution
- Adaptive 1–120Hz refresh rate
- Up to 3,000 nits peak brightness
- Vision Booster
- Galaxy Buds4 Pro support for 24-bit Hi-Fi and 360 Audio on compatible Galaxy devices
The 4:3 shape is also wider than a conventional phone when the Fold 8 is open, which can make games and supported video content feel more expansive.
That doesn’t mean every movie will fill the entire display. Widescreen video can still have black bars because its aspect ratio differs from the Fold 8’s, but the larger physical screen still gives that content more room.
For audio, the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are a natural companion, with 24-bit Hi-Fi and 360 Audio helping create a more immersive experience when watching content on the main display.
Can you use more than one app on the Galaxy Z Fold 8 screen?
Yes, you can use more than one app on the Galaxy Z Fold 8 screen, thanks to the main display’s sizeable proportions.
The Fold 8 runs One UI 9, which supports Multi Window with two-way and three-way split views, lets you resize windows, and lets you place another app over the workspace in pop-up view.
You can also save frequently used combinations as App Pairs and reopen them together, meaning you can use the extra screen space for multitasking.
Are there accessories that make the displays easier to use?
Samsung offers an Anti-reflecting Film for the Galaxy Z Fold 8 cover screen that reduces glare and reflections but maintains touch responsiveness, making the display easier to see in bright conditions.
It also includes a slim Clear Case, which measures 0.8mm thick and has anti-yellowing and anti-fingerprint coatings. Samsung includes two Anti-reflecting Films and an installation kit with the Clear Case, so you can use the two accessories together without covering the Fold 8’s design.
Ultimately, the Fold 8’s two screens serve slightly different purposes. The cover display gives you a compact way to use the phone normally, while unfolding it provides a wider 4:3 workspace for reading, watching content and running multiple apps.
If the Galaxy Z Fold 8 sounds like the right choice for moving between everyday phone use and a larger-screen experience, visit Samsung’s website for more information.
FAQs
Is the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 a good foldable phone for reading e-books and digital magazines?
Yes. The Galaxy Z Fold 8’s 7.6-inch main display is well suited to reading. The display can be held portrait (3:4 aspect ratio) for a reading experience similar to holding a paperback. Or it can be held landscape, with a dual-page view like an open book. Held with either orientation, e-books, articles and digital magazines are enjoyable to read. Better still, text scaling controls let you adjust font size to suit your preference, and the larger display can also reduce scrolling when reading longer pieces.
How does the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 reduce awkward cropping and black bars when viewing content?
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 gives you controls for adjusting how supported apps and media use the main display. The natural aspect ratio means you get reduced black bars when viewing content for a more immersive experience, but One UI also lets you change aspect ratio and full-screen settings for individual apps, while some video apps also provide their own zoom controls. This means you can choose between preserving the content's original proportions or expanding it to use more of the screen. Some widescreen video can still show black bars if its native aspect ratio is much wider than the Fold 8’s 4:3 display.
Is the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 good for viewing spreadsheets and documents on the go?
Yes. The Fold 8’s larger, squarer 4:3 main display gives spreadsheets and tables more horizontal space than a conventional narrow phone screen. That can make it easier to view additional columns at once without constantly zooming. Multi Window also helps productivity by letting you keep a document open alongside another app when you need to reference information or make quick edits. Plus, you can turn the opened phone portrait to get a 3:4 aspect ratio and see more when looking at documents.
