Samsung has unveiled the Galaxy Z Fold 8, marking the launch of the company's first smartphone in passport format. This model features a 7.6-inch internal screen with a 4:3 aspect ratio, aiming to optimize content viewing. Its starting price is set at US$ 1,899, equivalent to R$ 9,645.
New foldable models
In addition to the Z Fold 8, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra was presented, which boasts a larger 8.0-inch internal screen, enhanced cameras, including a 200 MP rear main camera, and a 5,000 mAh battery, with a starting price of US$ 2,099. The Galaxy Z Flip 8 was also launched, equipped with 50 MP and 12 MP cameras, a redesigned external screen, and a 4,300 mAh battery, selling for US$ 1,199.
Galaxy Z Fold 8 details
Samsung seeks to revolutionize the foldable phone market with the Z Fold 8, promising greater convenience when consuming online content. The South Korean giant also revealed the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, the Galaxy Z Flip 8, the Galaxy Watch 9, and the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2. The announcements took place in London, England, during the Unpacked event.
Although the passport format already exists in some Google Pixel devices and may be anticipated for future foldable iPhones, Samsung is the first major smartphone manufacturer to offer a model in this format, whose launch is confirmed in Brazil. In the United States, the starting price is US$ 1,899, corresponding to R$ 9,645, using the exchange rate of R$ 5.08.
Fold 8 structure and specifications
The main distinction of this device lies in its structure: it is narrower when closed, measuring 12.39 cm, but wider at 8.19 cm. Product marketing director Rafael Aquino clarified that the model adopts a 4:3 aspect ratio, similar to conventional televisions. The Fold 8 solves a previous issue for Samsung, where watching movies on Prime Video or series on HBO Max generated large black bars at the edges of the display, causing the content to occupy space similar to a traditional smartphone.
The new release features a 7.6-inch internal screen (1848 x 2448 pixels) on a Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel, reaching a brightness of 3,000 nits for better visibility under intense sunlight. The external screen measures 5.5 inches (1248 x 1972 pixels). Both Fold models introduce Flex Titanium, a titanium alloy that increases resistance by 20% compared to the polymer used in previous generations, while also resulting in a less noticeable crease.
In tests conducted, the Fold 8 and Fold 8 Ultra showed smaller marks on the central crease. The Fold 8's photographic system includes: a 10 MP front camera with f/2.2; a 50 MP rear main camera with f/1.8 and 2x optical zoom; a 50 MP ultra-wide rear camera with f/1.9; and a 10 MP internal camera with f/2.2. Technically, the smartphone comes factory-equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chip, offering memory and storage configurations of 12+256 GB, 12+512 GB, and 16+1 TB.
Samsung advanced battery technology by incorporating silicon-carbon, a material present in Chinese smartphones for over a year, allowing for higher energy density, reaching 4,800 mAh in the Fold 8. Charging supports up to 45 Watts wired, and Samsung assured the Brazilian press that the charger will be included with the phone in the country. Wireless charging operates at 20 Watts. All announced phones run on Android 17 and One UI 9.0.
Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra features
Previous Fold models were already quite powerful, but now Samsung is restructuring its portfolio by adding the term 'Ultra'. This device features an 8.0-inch internal screen (2504 x 2256 pixels) and a 6.5-inch external screen (1080 x 2520 pixels).
The new Ultra surpasses the conventional Fold 8 in photography, featuring more robust sensors. Its camera setup consists of: a 10 MP front camera with f/2.2; a 200 MP rear main camera with f/1.7 and 2x optical zoom; a 50 MP ultra-wide rear camera with f/1.9; a 10 MP telephoto rear camera with f/2.4 and 3x optical zoom; and a 10 MP internal camera with f/2.2. Like the Fold 8, it uses the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy, with RAM and storage options of 12+256 GB, 12+512 GB, and 16+1 TB. Charging is 45 Watts, and the charger is included with the device.
There was an increase in battery capacity, going from 4,400 mAh in the Fold 7 to 5,000 mAh in this generation, and Samsung estimates about 27 hours of video playback. The suggested price for the Fold 8 Ultra in the United States is US$ 2,099, which corresponds to R$ 10,663 in direct conversion without taxes.
Galaxy Z Flip 8 presentation
The Flip 8 is the model that underwent the fewest changes in this wave of launches, and Samsung itself acknowledged this, positioning it as a device more focused on lifestyle within the new three-format strategy. Its cost is US$ 1,199, or approximately R$ 6,091 in direct conversion without taxes.
The cameras maintain a pair: a 50 MP main camera with f/1.8 and a 12 MP ultra-wide camera with f/2.2. The front camera has 10 MP with f/2.2. The Flexcam functionality received a horizontal recording lock feature. The Flex Window, the external screen, was redesigned, incorporating an app tray and greater integration with Now Brief, maintaining its dimensions of 4.1 inches (948 x 1048 pixels).
The device became lighter and thinner than its predecessor, although with small modifications: it reduced thickness by 0.4 mm and weight by 8 grams, weighing 180 grams. Unlike the Fold series models, the Flip 8 uses an aluminum structure, not Flex Titanium. In technical terms, the silicon-carbon battery reaches 4,300 mAh, supporting 45W wired charging and 20W wireless charging. However, the processor varies by region: the Flip 8 sold in Brazil and most countries uses the Exynos 2600 (2 nanometers), while models destined for the United States and South Korea come with the Snapdragon version.
