The innate human desire to squeeze as much as possible out of everything means foldable phones were molded into something they were never supposed to be. With the Galaxy Z Fold 8, Samsung has tastefully pared back ambitions, demonstrating that bigger isn't always better.
Expecting too much
Fold 8 Ultra vs Fold 8 | Image by PhoneArena
Foldable phones have been expensive from the outset. Combine that with initial durability concerns, and manufacturers fell over themselves to prove that the new form factor was worth the investment.
The Galaxy Z Fold was touted as a phone, a tablet, and almost a laptop all at once. You could use it closed for a traditional phone feel, unfold it into a tablet, open a gazillion windows, and even dare to use it as a light productivity machine.
Except the Fold is an awkward smartphone and a very hamstrung laptop. The internal screen is perhaps the most promising aspect, but what are you going to do with it? I haven't used one myself, but judging by my experience with tablets, you can only hold a large display for so long.
And while the series' multi-tasking abilities grew with each generation, why on earth would I want all of that? My attention is fragmented enough as it is, thank you very much. Don't force the atrocity of four apps at once on my already overburdened nervous system.
Grab the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra at $1,000 off
$1099
99
$2099
99
$1000 off (48%)
Trade in an eligible device and save up to $1,000 on the new foldable phone from Samsung. With its refined design and large cover screen, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is a top pick for foldable phone fans. Alternatively, you can get a $200 Samsung credit if you don't trade in a device.
The Galaxy Z Flip 8 is now available at the official store. It features an improved build and offers a fantastic foldable experience. Buy yours and save up to $400 at Samsung with a trade-in. Alternatively, you can get the phone with a $100 Samsung credit, no trade-in required.
Granted, in terms of hardware, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is the device you'd want to have. Heck, for passionately productive people who refuse to waste a single minute, this is the gadget. Just because I can't juggle a webpage, a texting app, and YouTube simultaneously doesn't mean you should be deprived of the joy.
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Yet, for some reason, I don't think most people actually use their phones that way.
Which one do you like best?
97 Votes
The Fold 8 Ultra because it offers the most.
26.8%
The Fold 8 because it's practical.
68.04%
The Flip 8 because it discourages screen time.
5.15%
Humans aren't built to multitask
The Fold 8 isn't trying to be your everything. | Image by PhoneArena
I might get some hate for this, but I don't think our brains are designed to run in constant overdrive. So as impressive as the Fold 8 Ultra is, it's wasted on most of us.
On the flip side, the Fold 8 nails the foldable philosophy. It gives you a big screen to enjoy your content without feeling unwieldy. It's no surprise that the Pistachio variant is alreadynearly sold out.
The moment Samsung unveiled the Fold 8, I couldn't stop swooning over it. It was reminiscent of the iPhone Air reveal, except this one looks like it will have more than 15 minutes of fame.
People are already gushing over how it functions as a fitting e-reader or is the ideal size for following cooking videos.
Back to basics
In their overzealous rush to hype up foldables, manufacturers became fixated on proving these devices could do everything. But just because a device can fold doesn't mean it has to bend to your every whim. Its main job is simply to make the experience more worthwhile than a slab phone. The Fold 8 manages to do that effortlessly.
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Anam Hamid is a computer scientist turned tech journalist who has a keen interest in the tech world, with a particular focus on smartphones and tablets. She has previously written for Android Headlines and has also been a ghostwriter for several tech and car publications. Anam is not a tech hoarder and believes in using her gadgets for as long as possible. She is concerned about smartphone addiction and its impact on future generations, but she also appreciates the convenience that phones have brought into our lives. Anam is excited about technological advancements like folding screens and under-display sensors, and she often wonders about the future of technology. She values the overall experience of a device more than its individual specs and admires companies that deliver durable, high-quality products. In her free time, Anam enjoys reading, scrolling through Reddit and Instagram, and occasionally refreshing her programming skills through tutorials.
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