Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is Here — Should You Upgrade from Fold 6 or Fold 7?

SammyGuru is reader-supported. We have affiliate and sponsored partnerships, so we may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site — at no extra cost to you. Learn more.

Samsung’s new foldables bring more upgrades than first meets the eye, with the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra standing as the company’s most advanced foldable yet. But if you’re already using a Fold 7 or Fold 6, you might be wondering whether upgrading is worth it. The answer depends less on the spec sheet and more on how you use your current phone. Here’s why.

Pre-order Samsung’s latest foldables through SammyGuru Rewards and receive a free Mystery Box (US-only). Each box includes a 65W GaN charger, USB-C wired earbuds, protective case, screen protector, and more accessories. Simply join SammyGuru Rewards, place your order using your link in the dashboard (open the link in a browser and make sure this is the last link you click before you buy), and submit your shipping address after ordering (we’ll remind you once Samsung confirms your order).

Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra’s Foldable Improvements

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra specs have improved over the Fold 7, and we have a few notable upgrades. The ultrawide camera is now a 50MP sensor, the battery is now 5,000mAh instead of 4,400mAh, 45W charging up from 25W, and of course the new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip. The new model also offers enhanced durability with Gorilla Glass Ceramic 3 on the cover screen.

On paper, it seems like a standard yearly upgrade. But where it really shines is how it functions as a foldable. These will be the improvements that could impact your purchase decision.

The biggest improvement is down to the inner display. And no, I am not talking about brightness and resolution boosts. Those are minor upgrades in the grand scheme of things. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra comes equipped with a new Flex Titanium layer, which helps improve the longevity of the inner display, reducing the crease and providing 20 times the display mechanical stiffness. I owned the Fold 5 years back, and as great as it was, the display felt a tad too soft.

The new Fold also comes equipped with an anti-reflective layer. Of course, every single foldable looks amazing when first out of the box. About a year or two in is when we can really see the device age, specifically around the crease. But expect the Fold 8 Ultra to hold up better than its predecessors.

I have seen some reports that the crease is self-healing. It isn’t by a huge amount, but it reportedly exists. I wouldn’t be too surprised; Samsung has a history of not discussing its products in depth at launch events. That said, I couldn’t verify the report during my hands-on session with the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. I guess we’ll only find this out after using the device for a few weeks.

Nonetheless, I can see Galaxy Z Fold 7 users upgrading to the Fold 8 Ultra just for the inner display alone, as that is why we purchase foldables. It isn’t to have the best hardware the market has to offer, but to have access to a larger display for better media consumption, improved productivity, and a lot more. And of course, the camera, battery, and charging upgrades are substantial too.

Galaxy Z Fold 6 Users Have Something Important to Consider

If you’re a Galaxy Z Fold 6 owner, you’re in for a treat. The Fold 8 Ultra is an absolute upgrade in almost every area. From the camera sensors to the chip, battery, and display, the new model brings a lot. However, there’s also a major reason why you may want to stick with your current Fold.

Since last year, Samsung has dropped S Pen support from foldables to make them slimmer and lighter. The Fold 7 and Fold 8 lineup do not support stylus input, even with the special Fold edition S Pen. Reports suggest Samsung is working on a digitizer-less S Pen for foldables. But there’s no telling when it’ll arrive, if at all. Samsung may consider it to be a low-priority move as it navigates rising component prices and other market difficulties.

So, if you are constantly using the S Pen and it helps you complete your work, you may not want to upgrade just yet. This is a preference thing, of course.

But if you are okay without the S Pen, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is a multi-generational improvement over the Fold 6. You’re getting Ultra-level cameras, a 5,000mAh battery with 45W charging, a thinner body that is more in line with a standard smartphone, and it’s lighter too.

The added benefit of the Flex Titanium layer that reduces crease visibility and improves display strength, along with an anti-reflective layer, makes a real difference.

A Foldable that Focuses on Actual Usage

With the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, Samsung has focused most of its efforts on creating a foldable that offers increased durability over time and focuses on real-world differences. The company isn’t trying to boost specs to win in a comparison. Instead, it is using technologies that substantially improve your everyday experience. Whether it justifies the “Ultra” branding is a separate argument, but the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is the closest we’ve gotten to the Galaxy S Ultra in a fold design. If you want the best foldable experience, this is the one to get.

Written by

Aladdien Fadhel

Aladdien Fadhel provides Samsung reviews and in-depth analysis for SammyGuru. By tracking the development of One UI and exploring Samsung's product roadmap, he delivers insights designed to benefit both the manufacturer and the user. A dedicated tinkerer, Aladdien prefers fine-tuning his current hardware to maximize its potential rather than opting for an immediate upgrade.

XMore from Aladdien Fadhel →