24 Hours With the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra: Highs, Lows, and First Impressions

A New Chapter in Foldable Technology

Spending a full day with a cutting-edge device like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra provides a unique perspective on how modern foldables are evolving. As I unboxed the unit, the device felt like a significant leap forward in design and premium build quality, marking a new milestone for the Z Fold series.

Setting Up and User Experience

The setup process for the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra remains one of the best in the industry. Leveraging Samsung's ecosystem, I transferred data from my Galaxy S26 Ultra via a seamless QR code handshake. The transition of apps, accounts, and settings was swift. Furthermore, I was particularly impressed with the biometric setup; the physical fingerprint scanner is remarkably fast, requiring only a simple wiggle of the finger to map, avoiding the tedious repetition often seen with under-display optical sensors.

Navigating Dual Displays

Transitioning to the Z Fold 8 Ultra requires an adjustment to its unique display configuration. The 6.5-inch cover screen, with its 21:9 aspect ratio, is noticeably narrower than standard smartphones. While it excels at vertical video playback, I frequently found myself gravitating toward the expansive 8-inch internal display. When opened, the device feels like a powerhouse for two-handed tasks, with the Samsung web browser defaulting to a desktop view that feels surprisingly natural on the larger canvas.

The Crease Question

Much hype surrounded the introduction of the 'Flex Titanium' display and the rumored elimination of the screen crease. In reality, the crease is still present. While it is certainly less visible than on the Galaxy Z Fold 7—appearing only when the screen is off or under harsh direct lighting—it remains physically tactile during scrolling. It is a refinement rather than a revolution, though it stands as the closest Samsung has come to a perfectly flat folding surface.

Performance and Battery Life

Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, the device handled intense gaming sessions in PUBG Mobile with ease. Even at the highest settings, the phone remained cool to the touch. Regarding battery, my initial tests are promising; despite neglecting to charge the device overnight, it maintained power well into the following afternoon. While full lab testing is required to verify Samsung's 27-hour claim, the early signs suggest strong endurance.

Camera Capabilities

The 200MP main camera produces impressive, crisp photos. However, the experience was mixed during macro photography; the camera struggled to lock focus on small objects like Lego minifigures, forcing a shift to the ultrawide lens. The telephoto lens also felt slightly underpowered compared to the main sensor, performing more like a standard selfie camera. Given the high price point of this device, one might expect more consistency across all lens types.

The Reality of AI

Samsung is heavily marketing the AI capabilities of the Z Fold 8 Ultra, but day-one performance reveals a system still learning. While 'Now Brief' effectively aggregated my calendar data, other features like 'Now Nudge' felt premature. Additionally, the 'MyFanCam' AI, which is designed to track subjects in videos, failed to recognize my pets—a disappointing limitation for casual users.

Final Thoughts

After 24 hours, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra strikes me as a powerful, polished, and premium tool that remains a work in progress in certain areas. It is undoubtedly a top-tier device, but it highlights that there is still room for improvement before the next iteration.