The wider Galaxy Z Fold 8 is Samsung’s first new foldable form factor in years and, at first glance, it seems like it’d solve a huge problem from past models, the lack of useful space for video. But, sadly, there’s technically no real improvement here.
The shape of every Galaxy Z Fold to date has been useful for reading, web browsing, and multitasking, but it really fell apart when it came to video. Because of the aspect ratio, you never really gained anything from the added size of the display. In fact, the Galaxy Z Fold 7’s usable space for video is about the same as the Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Unfortunately, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 doesn’t really fix this.
I was really excited by the possibilty of this but, as it turns out, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 has almost exactly the same amount of usable screen space for video as the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra (and Fold 7).
As always, this does vary based on what you’re watching. Movie trailers like those for Spider-Man or Avengers will take up less space as they’re in a 21:9 aspect ratio, but even YouTube videos on our own channel just can’t use up the full canvas the Fold 8 offers. The 4:3 screen just ends up being the same size as what you get on the last form factor, with the notable downside that captions have less room to breathe under the video, assuming you have those enabled.
Technically, there’s no real upgrade here, but the situation isn’t worse either.
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 does waste less space when you’re watching video. It’s basically like using an iPad Mini for streaming. There are black bars, just not to the same extent. You’re also getting a smaller form factor here, so it’s a bigger canvas in a smaller overall footprint.
It’s just a shame that the new shape doesn’t work as well for videos as many hoped it would.
Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Fold 8 Ultra are available for pre-order starting today.
More on Samsung:
- Galaxy Z Fold 8 goes official with redesigned wide form factor from $1,899
- Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra launches as Samsung’s ‘most advanced’ foldable, starts at $2,099
- Galaxy Watch 9, Watch Ultra 2 are official as Samsung makes the jump to Snapdragon
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