6 Key Flaws in the $2,100 Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra

The arrival of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 series marks a significant moment in the foldable phone market. Samsung has introduced two new models: the standard Galaxy Z Fold 8 and the higher-end Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, succeeding last year’s Z Fold 7 with enhanced features.

The previous Z Fold 7 received rave reviews for its sleek design and functional cover screen, so expectations were high for this year’s models. However, after testing the Z Fold 8 Ultra, there are elements that could have been improved.

Here are six criticisms regarding the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra that stand out.

Starting at $2,100, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is $100 more than its predecessor. Unfortunately, the device does not feel like a substantial upgrade. Its design and usability are quite similar to the previous model.

While there have been some hardware improvements, such as a more extensive 5,000mAh battery and an enhanced 50MP ultrawide camera, Samsung has also scaled back the base RAM to 12GB. This leaves many feeling they are paying a premium for minimal advancements.

It seems as though Samsung may have strategically set a high price for the Ultra to encourage sales of the wider Galaxy Z Fold 8.

In today’s challenging market, manufacturers are grappling with high component costs, which Samsung cannot fully absorb. However, a two-thousand-dollar phone should offer a more significant standpoint of distinction from its predecessor.

Samsung’s renaming strategy has created confusion. The newer, wider model is simply called Galaxy Z Fold 8, while the previous standard model has the “Ultra” label, which implies major enhancements over the Z Fold 7. However, the actual performance is not as groundbreaking.

While there are upgrades like a larger battery and faster charging, many long-standing issues with the Z Fold series persist. The old 10MP telephoto camera remains, and there is still no S Pen compatibility, even for an “Ultra” model.

While Samsung has upgraded its primary sensor, the outdated 10MP telephoto camera has not evolved since the Galaxy Z Fold 3, still making it feel antiquated in the current lineup.

A change in branding signifies the need for a change in specs, especially within the ‘Ultra’ category—yet the camera technology hasn’t kept pace with user expectations.

Despite advancements in the industry, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra notably lacks support for the Qi2 wireless charging standard, limiting convenience in everyday use.

This omission means users need to utilize an additional case to connect with a MagSafe charger to achieve optimal charging speeds—something that feels like a major oversight for a phone at such a high price point.

A surprising aspect of comparing the two models is the weight. The standard Galaxy Z Fold 8 weighs 201 grams, while the Ultra version weighs 215 grams—an unexpected difference in a premium tier device.

This inconsistency is worth noting since users might assume that the Ultra model would be lighter or equally well-balanced.

Once again, the absence of S Pen support is glaring in the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. Previous models had this feature, but it was removed to facilitate a thinner design—a choice that still resonates with this model.

Had the phone been marketed just as the Z Fold 8, the lack of S Pen would have been less disappointing. However, branding it as an Ultra device raises expectations that remain unfulfilled, as key expected features are missing.

In summary, while the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra isn’t a bad smartphone, it presents several challenges that stand out during an initial evaluation. While some hardware enhancements justify the Ultra branding, significant omissions inhibit its potential. More insights will follow as I continue testing the device.