My Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ongoing Review Living With Samsung’s Passport Foldable - CNET

What the report says

CNET is conducting an ongoing hands-on review of Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8, a new book-style foldable phone that the publication describes as a compact, “passport-sized” departure from the taller designs in Samsung’s recent Fold lineup. Reporter Abrar Al-Heeti said she began using the device after Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event in London, after first seeing it in June at Samsung’s headquarters in Seoul.

According to CNET, the Z Fold 8 has a 4:3 aspect ratio when opened and a 16:10 ratio when closed, with a 5.5-inch cover display and a 7.6-inch inner display. The phone starts at $1,900, is available for preorder and is scheduled to reach stores on Aug. 7. Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra and Z Flip 8 are also set to launch that day, with the Ultra keeping the taller cover-screen shape associated with last year’s Z Fold 7.

CNET’s early impressions focus on the Fold 8’s usability rather than a final verdict. The report says the wider inner screen feels useful for landscape multitasking and horizontal video, while portrait mode gives vertical apps, documents and social feeds more room. The reviewer also noted some split-screen compromises, such as interface elements being obscured in certain stacked app layouts.

The device includes two 50-megapixel rear cameras, wide and ultrawide, but no telephoto lens. CNET said early London test photos were promising, though final camera conclusions will wait for the full review. The phone has a 4,800-mAh battery, supports 45-watt wired and 20-watt wireless charging, and weighs 201 grams, making it the lightest Galaxy Fold device cited in the report.