Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Fold 8 Ultra Review Roundup: New Designs, Missed S Pen, and Record Preorders

Samsung's 2026 foldable lineup, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Fold 8 Ultra, marks the company's most divergent design strategy yet for a single generation. However, a consensus from major reviews reveals a familiar story of exciting hardware held back by recurring trade-offs. While the base Fold 8's radical new shape is winning over critics and consumers alike, both devices continue to miss key features like S Pen support and proper dust resistance. Here's what reviewers from CNET, The Verge, Forbes, PCMag, and others have to say.

Two Designs, Two Philosophies

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Fold 8 Ultra are not simply different specs of the same phone; they represent two fundamentally different visions for a foldable. The base Fold 8 adopts an entirely new "passport-shaped" 4:3 aspect ratio — a wider, squatter profile that makes the inner display feel much more like a real tablet when opened. Weighing just 201g, it is the lightest book-style foldable on the market, with a substantially minimized crease . Reviewers at CNET, PCMag, and The Economic Times universally praise the new proportions as transformative for one-handed use and multitasking .

The Z Fold 8 Ultra, by contrast, retains the taller, narrower form factor of previous Folds but refines it. It is 4.1mm thick when unfolded, features a nearly crease-free 8.0-inch inner display with Flex Titanium technology, and its outer display has been widened to 6.5 inches — a long-requested improvement . The Verge notes the Ultra is "more of the same, but better than ever" — a polished evolution rather than a reinvention . This split strategy means buyers must choose between a revolutionary shape (Fold 8) or the best possible version of the traditional Fold experience (Fold 8 Ultra).

The Key Trade-Offs: No S Pen, No Dust Resistance

Reviewers were almost unanimous in pointing out two major areas where both devices fall short.

No S Pen support. Both the Z Fold 8 and Z Fold 8 Ultra lack S Pen compatibility entirely. Samsung's senior product manager Peter Park told PCMag the S Pen was dropped from the Fold line starting with the Z Fold 7 due to design constraints and low usage data . Reviewers note the loss is especially noticeable on the Ultra given its premium $2,100 starting price, where a stylus would feel like a natural productivity tool .

No dust resistance (IP48 rating). Both models retain the same IP48 rating as their predecessors: the "4" means protection against objects >1mm, and the "8" means water resistance up to 1.5m. There is zero ingress protection against fine dust. 9to5Google calls this "the sole thing not addressed," and Tom's Guide says "the lack of dust resistance at this point is getting annoying" . iFixit's teardown of the Z Fold 8 revealed that dust intrusion can cause "truly awful crunching and grinding noises" in the hinge . The inner display's top layer also remains plastic .

Other compromises. The base Fold 8 lacks a telephoto lens and has no built-in Qi2 magnets for wireless charging accessories . The Ultra's cameras, while improved with a 200MP main sensor, still don't match Samsung's own S26 Ultra .

Record-Breaking Preorders

Despite these compromises, consumer demand has been unprecedented. In South Korea alone, the Z Fold 8, Z Fold 8 Ultra, and Z Flip 8 collectively hit 1.44 million preorders during a seven-day window (July 28–August 3), surpassing every previous Galaxy series including the S26 and Note 10 . Bloomberg reported global preorders were 30% higher than last year's foldables, with Samsung calling it the strongest Z-series launch ever . Tipster Ice Universe estimated the series may have crossed 5 million preorders globally . The new base Z Fold 8 was the clear driver of demand, accounting for roughly 70% of preorders in South Korea and nearly 50% in the US . Its Lavender color reportedly sold out quickly .

Facing the Competition: The Foldable iPhone and Dust-Resistant Rivals

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 series faces a rapidly evolving competitive landscape.

Apple's foldable iPhone. Apple is widely expected to announce its first foldable device — possibly called "iPhone Ultra" or "iPhone Fold" — in September 2026 alongside the iPhone 18 Pro series . However, supply-chain reports suggest volume shipments may slip into 2027 . Rumored specs include a 7.7 to 7.8-inch 4:3 internal display, dual 48MP cameras, an A20 chip, and a titanium casing, with a price point between $2,000 and $2,500 . The biggest unknown remains durability: there is no confirmed dust or water resistance rating for Apple's foldable yet.

Dust-resistant rivals. A key competitive gap is dust resistance. 9to5Google notes that last year's Pixel 10 Pro Fold already proved a foldable can achieve an IP68 rating, offering full dust protection . Other competing foldables from OnePlus, OPPO, and Honor have also introduced higher dust resistance. Samsung's continued use of the IP48 rating, which offers no fine dust protection, is increasingly seen as a shortcoming versus these rivals .

Which Foldable Should You Consider?

Reviewers are clear: the base Z Fold 8's new wider design is the more exciting and accessible device this year, praised for finally making a foldable feel like a practical daily driver . Analysts at Forbes note the standard Fold 8 "has gotten all the attention because of its new shape" . The Ultra, while technically superior with better cameras and a larger 5,000mAh battery, is seen as a niche product for those who want the most refined version of the traditional Fold experience and are willing to pay a premium for it . For budget-conscious buyers or those prioritizing dust resistance, waiting for a potential Galaxy Z Fold 9 or exploring alternatives from Google and other Chinese brands might be a better path.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Fold 8 Ultra are a study in contrasts: a radical redesign that's winning the market, paired with a refined premium halo product that sticks to a familiar formula. Both, however, share the same frustrating compromises. Whether those trade-offs are acceptable depends on how much you value a futuristic screen over the peace of mind of dust resistance and stylus support.