Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is Samsung's first foldable to carry the 'Ultra' name, and it sits above the new, wider Z Fold 8 as the company's top foldable for 2026. That name signals intent: this is the Fold for people who want a big-screen device without settling for second-tier cameras or battery life.

On paper, Samsung has gone after the long-standing compromises of its foldables rather than reinventing the form. At 215g it is physically almost identical to the Z Fold 7, so the gains are all inside: a 5,000mAh silicon-carbon battery that is significantly larger than its predecessor's, a 200MP main camera and upgraded 50MP ultrawide that bring it closer to the Galaxy S26 Ultra, and an 8-inch inner display with a less noticeable crease, higher brightness and a new anti-reflective coating.

It is aimed squarely at power users and early adopters with deep pockets. At $2,099.99 (£1,899), it is a luxury purchase. It makes most sense for anyone who has held off on a foldable because they didn't want to give up a flagship camera or all-day battery confidence.

Judged on the information available, the Fold 8 Ultra looks like Samsung's most complete foldable yet. The battery upgrade is the most meaningful change, because endurance has long been the Fold line's weak point. A 5,000mAh cell in a chassis that hasn't grown heavier is a genuinely welcome step, and reported faster wired and wireless charging should help further, though no specific speeds were provided. Its real-world battery life still needs confirming in testing.

The camera move is equally significant. Pairing a 200MP main sensor with a 50MP ultrawide closes much of the gap that once made Fold owners envious of Samsung's slab Ultras. The display improvements tackle the other everyday annoyances:

• A less visible crease
• 3,000-nit peak brightness on both screens
• Anti-reflective treatment on the inner panel

With the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy inside, performance should not be a concern.

The caveats are familiar ones:

• Durability rating: IP48 dust and water resistance is seen as lagging behind competitors, which matters on a device this expensive.
• Design: The near-identical body to the Z Fold 7 means owners of last year's model get little that looks or feels new.
• Price: At $2,099.99, it asks a lot even by foldable standards.

We'd want hands-on battery and camera testing before calling it a category leader outright. Still, the supplied evidence points to a thoughtful, substantive upgrade that earns a strong, if not perfect, score.