Someone Already Used Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Shared These First Impressions

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With Galaxy Unpacked less than two weeks away, leaks surrounding Samsung’s upcoming foldables are arriving almost daily. We’ve already seen detailed specs, marketing renders, accessories, and even pricing. Now, a fresh leak claims to offer an early hands-on experience with the Galaxy Z Fold 8, the wide-format model Samsung is adding to its foldable lineup this year.

The wider cover display and lightweight reportedly make a huge difference

According to the alleged hands-on account shared on a Korean platform, the Galaxy Z Fold 8’s biggest USP is its form factor. The source says its wider cover display dramatically improves everyday usability, particularly when using the phone in its folded state. While many prospective buyers have expressed concerns about the wider aspect ratio, the source claims those concerns disappear once they use the device.

The wider screen is said to make common tasks feel much more natural, while also improving the experience when watching short-form videos, movies, and playing games. During multitasking, the unfolded display reportedly feels like “using two perfectly proportioned smartphones side by side.” It makes split-screen apps more comfortable than on previous Fold models.

The leak adds that the Galaxy Z Fold 8 feels lighter than expected when picked up, despite remaining a large foldable smartphone. Rumored to weigh 201 grams, the device isn’t featherlight, but Samsung may have distributed weight smartly to make it feel lighter in hand. The source even suggests that a premium build quality and lightweight feel are the first things users will notice.

Great hardware, but software still has room to improve

While the Galaxy Z Fold 8 introduces a largely likeable foldable design and hardware, the source claims Samsung’s software still hasn’t fully adapted to the new display ratio. Some apps allegedly lack proper optimization, creating an inconsistent user experience where the software doesn’t always take full advantage of the wider screen.

The good news is that this is something Samsung can improve in no time. In fact, the device used during this hands-on experience is running pre-release software. The Fold 8 will ship to consumers with the stable version of One UI 9 based on Android 17. Moreover, Samsung is expected to roll out an update to the device before most buyers receive their product. As such, the software experience may not be as bad as this leak suggests.

That said, there remains another concern. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is expected to cost $1,899 for its base variant. At $200 more, you get the Fold 8 Ultra with much better cameras and possibly extra features. The wider model may only appeal to consumers who find the Ultra a bit oversized for their needs. It remains to be seen which Fold model draws a bigger crowd this year.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Fold 8 Ultra will debut alongside the Galaxy Z Flip 8 and new Galaxy watches at Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Unpacked event on July 22. Reservations are now open globally, with the company offering a $30 credit and more benefits. Our SammyGuru Rewards program is also live for the new foldables. You get a 65W GaN charger, USB-C earphones, and more accessories absolutely free with every eligible pre-order. Sign up now.

Written by

Sumit Adhikari

Sumit, a life-long Samsung user, is passionate about technology and has been professionally writing on tech since 2017. He’s a mathematics graduate by education and enjoys teaching basic mathematics tricks to school kids in his spare time. Sumit believes in artificial intelligence and dreams of a fully open, intelligent and connected world.

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