Rafomac News, Tech & Trends That MatterSamsung has redefined the foldable phone with the Z Fold 8, trading the classic tall design for a shorter, book-like shape. This compact flagship challenges years of industry trends and sets the stage for foldables’ future.
Why Did Samsung Switch to the Short Fold?
For seven years, Samsung’s foldables stuck with the tall, classic style design. Then came the Z Fold 8, a surprising new direction — the short, book-shaped foldable that other brands tried but quickly abandoned. Google’s Pixel Fold and Oppo’s Find N series started with this compact style only to revert back to taller phones. So, why would Samsung, the stalwart of foldables, now put its flagship name on a shape history says struggles to win over users?
Two ideas stand out. Firstly, Apple is reportedly launching a foldable iPhone this fall with a similar short, wide form factor. Samsung often seeks to lead in spaces Apple eyes, making this move feel strategic. Secondly, foldable technology has finally matured to a point where achieving a thin, light, and durable short fold is possible. The Z Fold 8 opens up to just 4.5 mm thick and weighs under 200 grams — lighter than most flagship phones. Its hinge system is refined for smooth operation, water resistance with an IP48 rating, and a less visible crease than its predecessors.
Holding the Z Fold 8: Size and Feel
This device feels like a normal yet robust smartphone when folded. Although users with smaller hands might find reaching across the screen a stretch, the compact size makes it comfortable overall. Watching videos on the front screen works fine, especially when rotated, though the display is relative small due to the phone’s size.
Opening the phone reveals a screen that boosts 16:9 video sizes by around 30 to 40 percent compared to conventional large phones. However, ultra-wide cinematic videos still show black bars, while 4:3 content like photos and classic TV shows beautifully fill the entire screen. Vertical video watchers might find the closed screen less immersive for shorts but opening and rotating the phone maximizes that canvas.
Audio and Media Use
The speakers hold up with decent volume and clarity but have a quirky stereo setup. The sound is positioned on the top and bottom edges of the front screen — typical for Samsung’s foldables. When folded and held in landscape, stereo sound works well. However, when fully opened in the short, unrotated book mode, sound only comes from the left speaker, which might disappoint some media enthusiasts.
Despite being a great media consumption device, Samsung believes more users want the larger folded screen for entertainment than just multitasking. Historically, foldables attracted professionals eager for expansive screens to manage multiple apps, emails, spreadsheets, and stock monitoring. Here, the taller Z Fold Ultra remains a more spacious multitasking powerhouse.
Performance and Cameras
Typing on the Z Fold 8 feels natural, with the split keyboard helping accommodate its wide layout without sacrificing usability. The camera setup is straightforward but solid, featuring a dual 50-megapixel system with a main and ultrawide lens. Those craving telephoto capabilities can opt for the fold Ultra, which houses three cameras.
The battery size defies expectations too. Even without Samsung’s silicon carbon battery tech yet, the Z Fold 8 carries a substantive battery. The Fold Ultra gets a slightly larger battery while becoming marginally thinner, reflecting Samsung’s efficient engineering progress.
Price and Market Risks
As expected, the Z Fold 8 kicks off at premium price points, reminding us seven years into foldables, these devices still carry flagship costs. Samsung’s gamble on a short fold shape defies market history where similar designs failed, but it aligns with rumors about upcoming Apple foldables and advances in hinge technology. Whether this compact book fold becomes the new norm or remains a niche curiosity is what time and user response will tell.
