Editorials · Insider Reaction
Foldable iPhone and Galaxy Z Fold 8 go toe to toe in new video, and I know which one I’m choosing
Let's look at how the foldable iPhone Ultra and the Galaxy Z Fold 8 compare in the real world.
This article may contain personal views and opinion from the author.
Both Apple and Samsung are launching wide-folding phones this year. | Image by Techmong
All specifications for the upcoming foldable iPhone Ultra and the Galaxy Z Fold 8 are final. Samsung is about to release its redesigned wide-folding smartphone next month, while Apple is about to begin mass production for the iPhone Ultra.
But you know what the best part of these finalized specifications having leaked online is? It means that some very talented people are able to craft some fantastic dummy units of both phones and put them side by side for our viewing and analyzing pleasure.
So, let’s take a look at how Samsung’s and Apple’s newest foldables to date will actually compare when you use them.
Apple has gone for an unorthodox design with its first foldable, somewhat reminiscent of the Huawei Pura X. As such, Samsung has decided to redesign the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and make it a wider and shorter foldable flagship as well. Not to worry, though, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra — which is also coming out next month — will be the true successor to the Galaxy Z Fold 7.
Both the iPhone Ultra and the Galaxy Z Fold 8 are much stubbier when folded, making them a lot easier to navigate with one hand when folded. The iPhone Ultra is slightly smaller and has a rather unsightly edge near the hinge where the screen ends and the chassis extends a little further to end in really sharp corners.
When it comes to thickness, both phones are almost identical when folded. In fact, as seen in the last two images here, the iPhone Ultra and the Galaxy Z Fold 8 are practically as slim as the Galaxy Z Fold 7 when closed, even though the Fold 7 is technically slimmer.
However, the external display won’t really make for an engaging experience and is likely intended to only be used for short and simple tasks, like responding to text messages.
When unfolded, however, both phones have a very different story to tell. With a display that is much wider than traditional foldable phones today, both the iPhone Ultra and the Galaxy Z Fold 8 will make for more immersive viewing experiences for movies, TV shows, and videos.
Both Samsung and Apple are aiming for a more tablet-like user experience with their new foldables. Unlike a tablet, however, the two new phones can fold into a very compact form and slip into your pocket very easily.
When unfolded, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 wins hands down without a doubt. The iPhone Ultra has very pleasing rounded corners, but the Fold 8 just looks so much more modern, in my opinion.
However, the one area where the iPhone Ultra immediately wins — provided that the projected render is accurate in these images — is video playback, as content looks ever so slightly larger on Apple’s foldable. Even though the Fold 8 is taller when unfolded, which nets it bonus points in my book, the iPhone might be able to play back video in a larger window with smaller borders at the top and bottom.
I’m sure that, were I to use the foldable iPhone, its look would grow on me very fast. But for a first impression, the Fold 8 definitely makes a stronger one to my mind.
But what if you decide to go for the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, the successor to the Galaxy Z Fold 7? Though the video didn’t craft a Fold 8 Ultra dummy, it did compare the Fold 7 to the iPhone Ultra and the Fold 8. Given that the Fold 8 Ultra will look almost identical to the Fold 7, I think that we can use this as a very accurate reference.
The Fold 8 will look almost comically narrow next to the two new wide-folding phones. Some of you, including myself, will find the Fold 8 to be the smartest choice here. It’s a tried and tested form factor that won’t be subject to as-of-yet unforeseen problems. In addition, I, personally, find the external display much more aesthetically pleasing on the traditional layout.
However, if you do go for one of the two new models, then you now know exactly how much shorter and wider they will be next to the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. The Ultra will also just be better when it comes to hardware, as it’s getting a larger battery, a higher-resolution internal screen, and a third camera.
But I did say that I knew which new phone I would pick between the iPhone Ultra and the Fold 8, so I’ll reveal my personal choice now. It’s definitely the Fold 8.
No hate to Apple, but its track record with hardware and software hasn’t exactly been flawless in recent years. At least with the Fold 8, I know that I’m getting a foldable phone from a company that has been making them for years.
But you know what the best part of these finalized specifications having leaked online is? It means that some very talented people are able to craft some fantastic dummy units of both phones and put them side by side for our viewing and analyzing pleasure.
So, let’s take a look at how Samsung’s and Apple’s newest foldables to date will actually compare when you use them.
Foldable iPhone vs the Galaxy Z Fold 8
Your first realistic look at the foldable iPhone vs the Galaxy Z Fold 8. | Images by Techmong
Apple has gone for an unorthodox design with its first foldable, somewhat reminiscent of the Huawei Pura X. As such, Samsung has decided to redesign the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and make it a wider and shorter foldable flagship as well. Not to worry, though, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra — which is also coming out next month — will be the true successor to the Galaxy Z Fold 7.
Both the iPhone Ultra and the Galaxy Z Fold 8 are much stubbier when folded, making them a lot easier to navigate with one hand when folded. The iPhone Ultra is slightly smaller and has a rather unsightly edge near the hinge where the screen ends and the chassis extends a little further to end in really sharp corners.
There isn't a huge difference between the thickness of the two phones. | Images by Techmong
When it comes to thickness, both phones are almost identical when folded. In fact, as seen in the last two images here, the iPhone Ultra and the Galaxy Z Fold 8 are practically as slim as the Galaxy Z Fold 7 when closed, even though the Fold 7 is technically slimmer.
However, the external display won’t really make for an engaging experience and is likely intended to only be used for short and simple tasks, like responding to text messages.
iPhone Ultra and Fold 8 unfolded
The iPhone Ultra and the Galaxy Z Fold 8 are wider than they are tall when unfolded. | Images by Techmong
When unfolded, however, both phones have a very different story to tell. With a display that is much wider than traditional foldable phones today, both the iPhone Ultra and the Galaxy Z Fold 8 will make for more immersive viewing experiences for movies, TV shows, and videos.
Both Samsung and Apple are aiming for a more tablet-like user experience with their new foldables. Unlike a tablet, however, the two new phones can fold into a very compact form and slip into your pocket very easily.
Watch the iPhone Ultra and the Galaxy Z Fold 8 get compared side by side with the most realistic dummy units made to date. | Video by Techmong
When unfolded, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 wins hands down without a doubt. The iPhone Ultra has very pleasing rounded corners, but the Fold 8 just looks so much more modern, in my opinion.
However, the one area where the iPhone Ultra immediately wins — provided that the projected render is accurate in these images — is video playback, as content looks ever so slightly larger on Apple’s foldable. Even though the Fold 8 is taller when unfolded, which nets it bonus points in my book, the iPhone might be able to play back video in a larger window with smaller borders at the top and bottom.
I’m sure that, were I to use the foldable iPhone, its look would grow on me very fast. But for a first impression, the Fold 8 definitely makes a stronger one to my mind.
Foldable iPhone vs Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra
But what if you decide to go for the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, the successor to the Galaxy Z Fold 7? Though the video didn’t craft a Fold 8 Ultra dummy, it did compare the Fold 7 to the iPhone Ultra and the Fold 8. Given that the Fold 8 Ultra will look almost identical to the Fold 7, I think that we can use this as a very accurate reference.
Will these phones make foldables like the Galaxy Z Fold 7 obsolete? | Images by Techmong
The Fold 8 will look almost comically narrow next to the two new wide-folding phones. Some of you, including myself, will find the Fold 8 to be the smartest choice here. It’s a tried and tested form factor that won’t be subject to as-of-yet unforeseen problems. In addition, I, personally, find the external display much more aesthetically pleasing on the traditional layout.
However, if you do go for one of the two new models, then you now know exactly how much shorter and wider they will be next to the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. The Ultra will also just be better when it comes to hardware, as it’s getting a larger battery, a higher-resolution internal screen, and a third camera.
After such an in-depth visual comparison, which foldable has caught your eye?
But I did say that I knew which new phone I would pick between the iPhone Ultra and the Fold 8, so I’ll reveal my personal choice now. It’s definitely the Fold 8.
No hate to Apple, but its track record with hardware and software hasn’t exactly been flawless in recent years. At least with the Fold 8, I know that I’m getting a foldable phone from a company that has been making them for years.
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