Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra vs. Z Fold 7: After a year of usage, I'm ready to upgrade

Kerry Wan/ZDNET

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The hot foldable summer is here, and Samsung has finally joined the fray with its latest Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, Z Fold 8, and Z Flip 8. While there are notable reasons to consider the latter two if you're queuing up for an upgrade, it's the Z Fold 8 Ultra model that should have any power user or enthusiast's utmost attention.

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Putting the fancy branding aside, the Z Fold 8 Ultra is the direct successor to last year's Z Fold 7, with a similar design, screen aspect ratio, and general features. But Samsung's also addressed some key concerns this year, from the battery life and charging of its most premium phone to software features that truly leverage the shape-shifting form factor.

Ahead of Unpacked, I spent an intimate morning with the Z Fold 8 Ultra, comparing it to the Z Fold 7, which has been in my pocket since last July. Here's what the key differences are, and why anyone should consider an upgrade if they're already using one of the best foldables out today. I certainly am.

Specifications

You should buy the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra if...

Kerry Wan/ZDNET

1. You want the most durable, longest-lasting Z Fold

With each passing year, the Galaxy Z Fold has become increasingly durable, so much so that I now use mine without a case. It's quite an impressive feat. But what changes will matter to you if you're already on a Z Fold 7? The first is a new "flex titanium" panel that replaces the existing polymer film. 

According to Samsung, this thinner yet more durable material makes the Z Fold 8 Ultra more susceptible to daily wear and tear, swipes, and scratches. That will hopefully give users a little more peace of mind when they tuck their phones into lint-filled pockets.

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Samsung's also improved the battery and charging with the Z Fold 8 Ultra, finally upping the capacity to 5,000mAh from the 4,400mAh rating that's plagued the Z Fold series for years now. The device also supports up to 45W wired charging (from 25W), which makes the occasional top-up much quicker. From 0 to 67% in 30 minutes, a Samsung rep told me.

2. You need more (and better) reasons to use the main display

At Unpacked, you'll likely hear a lot of folks talking about the non-Ultra Z Fold 8 model, thanks to its wider aspect ratio, which is better optimized for content consumption. However, that doesn't mean the Ultra has lost much of its original appeal.

In fact, Samsung has made a few changes to the screen and software that make the large 8-inch main display more functional this year. First, it can boost up to 3,000 nits of brightness, making the screen a lot more visible when used outdoors. A new anti-reflective treatment, similar to what we've seen on other Galaxy Ultra models, has also been applied, and I saw the benefits of it firsthand when I held the Z Fold 8 Ultra next to my Z Fold 7 under direct studio lighting.

Notice the lack of a crease on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra (right) compared to the Z Fold 7 (left)?

Kerry Wan/ZDNET

Beyond the countless ways you can activate split-screen mode on the Z Fold series, Samsung is also introducing a new Now Nudge gesture that uses in-app context, like text messages and emails, to suggest an app pairing. For example, if someone texts you about a brunch reservation, Now Nudge will show a split-screen shortcut for your calendar. 

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This subtle reminder of what the larger display is capable of is something I'm looking forward to using more, so long as it's reliable and feels natural every time.

3. The seamless 8K video recording speaks to you

The Z Fold 8 Ultra has one notable camera upgrade this year: a larger 50MP ultrawide sensor. That should be capable of capturing more detail and accurate colors, whether it's a landscape-spanning shot or a macro one, while also benefiting videographers who want to seamlessly blend their footage across different lenses.

Samsung's giving you the option to apply LUTs to your videos now, too, hopefully making it easier to set your ideal color science and tones, and match content shot by other sources.

You should buy the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 if...

Kerry Wan/ZDNET

1. You want to unfold your wallet a little less

On paper, the Z Fold 8 Ultra is only $100 more than the Z Fold 7. But that's only if you're comparing the retail prices of the two devices. In reality, you can easily find last year's model for around $1,000 to $1,300 at various online retailers, including Amazon, Best Buy, and Target. (You can also consider third-party sellers, like Swappa and eBay, as long as you understand the risks of buying from an individual seller.)

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Considering the price difference, you may be better off saving a few hundreds of dollars by opting for (or sticking with) the Z Fold 7, which still holds up well in 2026. As I mentioned before, the design and form factor are nearly identical to the Z Fold 8 Ultra. And you have the same 200MP main camera, which you'll likely use most.

2. You can be patient with the software updates

The reality of today's tech is that most of the newest software features will likely and eventually trickle down to older models. Such is the case with iOS 27 and older iPhones, as well as the new multitasking feature that I mentioned earlier. When Samsung first introduced the Z Fold 8 Ultra to me, my initial reaction was, "Will my Z Fold 7 get these software capabilities?" 

What I was told was that most, if not all, of them will be available on older Z Fold models with the Android 17 update. The question that's left is when Samsung will roll that out to the public. My guess is as soon as next month.

Writer's choice

After daily driving the Z Fold 7 over the past year and going hands-on with the Z Fold 8 Ultra, I really like the changes Samsung has made to the device's design and user interface, so much so that I'm seriously considering the switch. But like most tech upgrades nowadays, you likely don't need to pay up for more if what you currently have is sufficient.

In many ways, I'd be perfectly comfortable with using the Z Fold 7 for another year. I've just found myself relying on a portable charger more often in recent months, and the main display is not bright enough to beat the outdoor sun when I'm moving around town. The fact that the Z Fold 8 Ultra fixes those two shortcomings, while strengthening its existing advantages, makes it a worthwhile upgrade for me.