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Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra Needs These Upgrades to Win Me Over

Commentary: I love the Galaxy Z Fold 7, but Samsung needs these upgrades for the Fold 8 Ultra to earn a permanent spot in my pocket

Prakhar Khanna CNET 06 Jul 2026, 12:01 2 min read 4/10

Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra Needs These Upgrades to Win Me Over

Key Takeaways

Camera: The Fold 8 Ultra is rumored to feature a 50MP main sensor with a periscope telephoto lens, bringing it closer to the Galaxy S25 Ultra's capabilities.
Battery: Current Fold 7 has a 4,400mAh battery; the Fold 8 Ultra needs at least 5,000mAh with faster 45W charging to match rivals like the OnePlus Open.
Weight: Samsung must reduce the Fold 8 Ultra's weight from 280g to under 250g to compete with the Google Pixel Fold (283g) and the lighter Honor Magic V2 (231g).
Durability: A new hinge design could reduce the visible crease and improve water resistance rating from IPX8 to IP68, matching non-foldable flagships.
Software: Improved app continuity and seamless window resizing are expected, leveraging Android 15's native foldable optimizations, but Samsung must eliminate stubborn app stuttering.

Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold series has long been the gold standard for foldable phones, but the upcoming Fold 8 Ultra faces mounting pressure from rivals like Google, OnePlus, and Oppo. In a recent commentary, CNET's reviewer praised the Galaxy Z Fold 7 but warned that the Fold 8 Ultra needs critical upgrades to become a daily driver. The core challenge: Samsung must move beyond iterative improvements and deliver game-changing features in camera, battery, design, and software. The Fold 7 already excels in multitasking and display quality, but its camera system lags behind the Galaxy S Ultra series, battery life remains average for a device of its size, and the crease is still visible. To win over demanding users, the Fold 8 Ultra needs a periscope zoom lens, a larger battery (at least 5,000mAh), a lighter chassis (under 250 grams), and a more durable display with minimal crease. Industry observers note that Samsung's foldable strategy has focused on refining the formula, but competitors are now matching—or exceeding—its hardware. The upcoming Fold 8 Ultra is expected to launch in late 2025, with early leaks suggesting a 50MP main camera, an embedded S Pen, and a new hinge design. If Samsung delivers on these fronts, it could reclaim the innovation mantle and solidify its lead in the premium foldable segment. However, with the Google Pixel Fold 2 and OnePlus Open 2 on the horizon, the window for differentiation is narrowing.

"The Fold 7 is nearly perfect, but the Fold 8 Ultra needs to address battery and camera to become my everyday phone."

"If Samsung only offers incremental updates, it risks losing its lead to more aggressive competitors like Google and OnePlus."

Frequently Asked Questions

The key upgrades include a better camera system with a periscope zoom lens, longer battery life (5,000mAh or more), lighter weight (under 250g), improved screen durability with less crease, and software optimizations for multitasking.

Yes, rumors indicate a 50MP main sensor and a periscope telephoto lens, bringing the camera performance closer to the Galaxy S Ultra series.

Industry sources expect at least a 5,000mAh battery with 45W fast charging, a significant upgrade from the Fold 7's 4,400mAh battery.

Samsung is likely to introduce a new hinge design with a reinforced Ultra Thin Glass, reducing the crease and improving scratch resistance, potentially achieving IP68 water resistance.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is expected to launch in the third quarter of 2025, likely alongside the Galaxy Z Flip 8.

Given the premium upgrades, the starting price may exceed $2,000, but Samsung could offer a lower-cost model to compete with the growing foldable market.

Original source

www.cnet.com

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