Last week, Samsung released a new generation of the Galaxy Z series of foldable phones. The highlight product is the Galaxy Z Fold8, Android’s first wide-ratio screen, which features a 7.6-inch main screen with a 4:3 ratio. The body is 4.5mm thick when launched and weighs only 201g. It is more portable and brings an experience closer to a tablet.
Unboxing the Galaxy Z Fold8 Hong Kong version of the 256GB mobile phone in velvet white. The signature black thin box packaging adopts an environmentally friendly style. The contents only include the mobile phone body, USB-C transmission cable, card extraction pin and product documentation.
▲ The thin box packaging only contains the phone body, USB-C transmission cable and card extraction pin
Different from the previous generation, Galaxy Z Fold8 adopts a new design. The body is equipped with a 4:3 ratio 7.6-inch 2,448 x 1,848 pixel Dynamic AMOLED 2X main screen. The narrow bezel design has a good overall screen-to-body ratio.
▲ Adopts a new 4:3 ratio 7.6-inch wide folding screen
▲ Although Flew Mode screen hovering is not supported, the main screen crease suppression is obviously better than the previous generation.
Z Fold8 adopts a simple design. The button operation is basically the same as that of the previous generation. The network is replaced by a single Nano SIM with an eSIM design. The speaker only has left and right channels when folded. When the screen is opened, it will be turned sideways to slightly affect the sound quality.
▲ There are power fingerprint button and volume button on the side of the machine. At the same time, you can see that the lens does not protrude too much.
▲ Adopt Nano SIM single card with eSIM design
Due to the change in body size, the external screen of Z Fold8 has also been replaced by a 5.5-inch 1,972 x 1,248 pixel Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen with a 16:10 ratio, making the size experience quite similar to a PDA electronic pocketbook.
▲ Due to changes in the body, the external screen of Z Fold8 has been changed to a 5.5-inch size
▲ The back of the Galaxy Z Fold8 in edelweiss white is quite simple
▲The SIM card slot is placed above the lens, and there is a speaker air hole next to it
▲ The hinge positions fit perfectly, and the upper and lower fuselage halves fit closely together.
In terms of grip, the Z Fold8 only weighs 201g. The excellent weight average after opening the screen makes it feel extremely light in the hand. The vertical width is narrower than the square Ultra board and easier to hold. The thickness is 81.3mm and can still be held in one hand.
▲ Since the machine weighs only 201g, it feels quite light when held horizontally.
▲ The main screen is 123.9mm vertically, which is thicker and easier to hold than the Ultra version’s 143.2mm.
▲ When folded, the thickness is 81.3mm, which is slightly wider than a straight-screen phone, but adults can still use it with one hand.
When operating, the Z Fold8’s screen ratio, regardless of the main screen or external screen, is more similar to that of a traditional tablet, making it easier for new users to get started when surfing the Internet, browsing photos, reading comics, videos, and even playing mobile games.
▲ Photo browsing effect (home screen)
▲ Photo browsing effect (external screen)
▲ Preset eye protection mode activation effect (home screen)
▲Default eye protection mode activation effect (external screen)
It is worth mentioning that regardless of the main screen or the external screen of Z Fold8, the vertical screen ratio is more similar to comics or miscellany than the conventional large fold. Both have surprises in terms of reading experience; for the same reason, there are fewer black bars during video playback.
▲ Direct-screen comic browsing effect (main screen)
▲ Direct-screen comic browsing effect (external screen)
▲ YouTube playback effect (home screen)
▲ YouTube playback effect (external screen)
In terms of games, the Z Fold8 dual-screen ratio is basically the same as that of a tablet. For example, the screen of “Honkai Impact: Star Rail” can be output natively without cropping; the Galaxy version S8E Gen5 also has enough performance to play high-definition games.
▲ “Honkai Impact: Star Rail” game screen (home screen)
▲ “Honkai: Star Rail” game screen (external screen)
Z Fold gaming tools can be pinned to the toolbar below. Features include optional high-performance mode, preventing accidental touches during gaming, blocking pop-up notifications, taking game screenshots and recording screens, and bypass charging functions essential for gaming.
▲ The game tool page can be called up in the toolbar below
▲ Optional performance mode improves computing performance and allows high-definition games to run more smoothly
▲ Game Booster has a bypass charging function that is essential for gaming machines
Tried the 256GB version of the Z Fold8 phone. After startup, the system occupied about 12% of the space. The options page has Galaxy AI design, 3+1 Dolby Atmos mode and traditional Samsung flagship screen settings.
▲ After startup, the 256GB model takes up about 12% of the space, and the option page has Galaxy AI detailed settings
▲ It has three Dolby Atmos modes: automatic and default. The screen settings are similar to those of traditional Samsung flagship phones.
In terms of performance, Z Fold8 is equipped with the Galaxy Special Edition S8E Gen5 chip. The 12+256 version has the same level of standard “GeekBench” CPU performance. The “Antutu” test has good temperature control and excellent game frame rate performance.
▲ “Antutu” test system temperature control is good
▲ “GeekBench 6” (right) CPU test results are S8E Gen5 standard performance
▲ “3DMark” Solar Bay light chasing game test reached 37.44fps average frame rate
When this article was published, the Galaxy Z Fold8 was already available for pre-sale. The Hong Kong version is available in four colors, with 12+256, 12+512 and 16+1TB storage configurations, priced from $14,398.
Mobile Magazine’s short review: As the first Android wide-folding screen, the most striking impression when using Z Fold8 is its extremely lightweight body. The main screen has obvious vertical and horizontal differences, which is closer to the tablet screen and easier for new users to get familiar with.
