Should you wait for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8?

Samsung plans to launch the Galaxy Z Fold 8 in two distinct sizes for the first time, according to reports from Android Central. The lineup will allegedly feature a wider “passport” style standard model and a taller, spec-heavy “Ultra” variant, with a rumored unveiling date of July 22.

What are the differences between the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Fold 8 Ultra?

The rumored Z Fold 8 family splits the series into two distinct form factors to compete with a growing trend of wider foldable phones. According to Android Central, the standard Galaxy Z Fold 8 will adopt a wider, shorter “passport” shape. This model is expected to feature two rear cameras and a smaller battery to maintain its compact footprint.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra serves as the direct successor to the Z Fold 7. It will retain the taller dimensions of previous generations but will be 2mm thicker. This Ultra model is rumored to include three rear cameras and a battery capacity increase of approximately 600mAh compared to the Z Fold 7.

Will S Pen support return to the Z Fold series?

Reports suggest S Pen support will return to at least one model, likely the Z Fold 8 Ultra. Samsung removed stylus support in the Z Fold 7 to achieve a record-breaking thin profile. Android Central notes that the rumored 2mm thickness increase for the Ultra model is likely a design choice to re-incorporate the S Pen digitizer.

This move follows a trend set by competitors. For example, the Motorola Razr Fold currently supports stylus input on both its inner and outer displays, putting pressure on Samsung to restore the functionality its power users expect.

How does Samsung’s hardware compare to other foldable brands?

Samsung currently trails several competitors in battery technology and environmental protection. Android Central reports that most Android foldable vendors, excluding Google, utilize silicon-carbon batteries. These batteries offer higher capacities and faster charging speeds than the cells found in Samsung devices.

Durability ratings also show a gap. The Samsung Z Fold series typically carries an IP48 rating. In contrast, the Motorola Razr Fold offers IP49, while the Oppo Find N6 and Honor Magic V6 provide IP59 and IP69 ratings, respectively. These higher ratings indicate superior resistance to high-pressure water jets and dust.

Why are foldable phone prices expected to rise?

Buyers should expect higher price tags for the Z Fold 8 series. According to Android Central, the global construction of AI data centers has increased the cost of RAM and storage components. Samsung has already implemented price hikes across several existing models to offset these supply chain costs.

This inflationary pressure affects the entire industry. Most upcoming flagship releases in 2025 and 2026 will likely see price increases as manufacturers pass the cost of AI-capable hardware to the consumer.

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