Rafomac News, Tech & Trends That MatterSamsung has unveiled its latest wave of foldable phones, including the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra and Flip 8, each offering bold new designs and fresh colours. For the first time, the Fold moves away from tall, slender shapes toward a compact, almost passport-like form — and it’s changing how folding phones feel in your hand.
From Clunky Beginnings to Sleek Evolution
Samsung has been a major driving force behind foldable phones since the very beginning. This new launch reflects years of refinement, starting from the original awkward and slender Fold that made users wonder if the screen protector was part of the design. Early hinges had a noticeable grinding sound and the device felt far from perfect, but innovation was the promise.
With each generation, Samsung improved the build, hinge mechanism, and screen usability. The Galaxy Fold 2 introduced more conventional front screens that could be used single-handedly without opening, a game changer for everyday convenience. By the time we reached the Galaxy Fold 5 and 6, the designs had become boxier and sturdier, bezels shrank, and folds opened more smoothly and stayed put at any angle.
Where the new Z Fold 8 impresses most is the form factor overhaul. It trades the familiar tall and slender look for a shorter, stubbier silhouette reminiscent of the classic BlackBerry Passport. When unfolded, it delivers a wider, landscape-like display that’s more tablet than phone. This change enhances balance, making it feel more secure in hand and easier to type on — a nod to users who have fond memories of physical keyboards.
The Z Fold 8 is a shift toward practicality, offering a more comfortable grip without the typical top-heavy feel of previous models. Its 200g weight and slim 7.6-inch interior dynamic AMOLED 2X screen with a resolution of 1848 by 2448 pixels give it both presence and portability. Though slightly thicker than its predecessor, the old form factor Fold 7, this device makes up for it in sheer usability and balance.
Ultra Thin Does Not Mean Less Power
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra keeps the existing flagship silhouette but pairs super thin and light construction with a large, 8-inch, 2504 by 2256-pixel internal display. Its hinge snaps with a sharp pop under tension, designed to keep the fold tight and the crease nearly invisible. Despite its slender profile, the Ultra model equips a 5000mAh battery, slightly bigger than the Fold 8’s 4800mAh, and features a powerful 200MP f/1.7 wide camera, edging out the standard Fold with a dual 50MP shooter setup.
Standout features like IP48 water resistance, side-mounted fingerprint scanning, face unlock, and super-fast wired and wireless charging across all models underline Samsung’s commitment to robustness and performance. The Z Flip 8 remains the pocket-friendly style icon of the foldables lineup with three trendy colours—pink, graphite, and cream—and carries the same Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip powering the other new phones.
Colors, Prices, and Protection
The Ultra variant gets an exclusive new colour, Violet Shadow—a rich, very dark purple that’s subtle but striking. Pricing for the Ultra in Canada starts at CAD 2700, topping out around CAD 3239, while the Fold 8 begins at CAD 2399. The Flip 8 is more affordable at CAD 1550, making the foldable lineup accessible at different levels of investment.
Samsung is also offering ultra-slim leather cases, which maintain the phones’ thin profiles while adding grip to guard against slips—a smart move given how easily these devices might slide out of pockets. Alongside, tempered glass screen protectors aim to shield the fragile external displays, which are costly to replace.
Choosing the Right Fold
What stands out most is the new Fold 8’s bold design direction. It’s less a radical tech upgrade than an ergonomics and usability revamp. The comfortable hold, reduced top-heaviness, and a more natural typing experience make it feel like a folding phone rethought for real-life use, not just innovation’s sake.
For tech enthusiasts, the Ultra remains the choice for those craving maximum screen space and camera prowess. For style and portability, the Flip 8 continues to impress, boasting surprising one-handed ease and a practical external display for quick notifications and selfie previews.
Samsung’s willingness to diversify its foldable lineup signals a broader ambition to pioneer new phone form factors ahead of rivals, including Apple, which is rumoured to enter the foldable space soon. Whether consumers embrace the new Fold 8’s passport-inspired build or stick with traditional designs will speak volumes about the future of folding phones.
This new generation feels less experimental and more purposeful—designed for users who want innovation without compromise. It’s a folding phone that doesn’t scream for attention but quietly invites you to rethink what a smartphone can be.
