[Edaily Reporter Shin Yeong-bin ] When the small device, reminiscent of a passport, was unfolded on both sides, a 7.6-inch large screen appeared. While it fits in one hand when folded, it transforms into a mini tablet capable of displaying e-books and videos the moment it is unfolded.

SamsungElectronics(005930)The “Galaxy Z Fold 8,” officially launched by Samsung on the 7th, has shed the elongated appearance of previous Fold series models by reducing its height and increasing its width.

Upon first holding the device, the reduction in size and weight was immediately noticeable. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 weighs 201g, and when folded, measures 81.9 mm wide by 123.9 mm tall. It has also become thinner, at 9.7 mm.

When held in the hand while folded, it fits securely in the palm—wider than a typical bar-style smartphone but shorter in length. When placed in a bag or pants pocket, it also felt less bulky than previous foldable phones.

The shorter, wider form factor truly showed its worth when unfolded. The main screen measures 7.6 inches and features a 4:3 aspect ratio. When the screen is in landscape mode and used to play YouTube or online video services (OTT), the black borders at the top and bottom are reduced compared to previous foldables—which were nearly square—allowing the video to fill the screen more expansively.

When the screen is rotated to portrait mode, the aspect ratio resembles that of a paper document or an e-book. When reading articles or webtoons, or reviewing PDF documents, more information fits on a single screen, reducing the need to repeatedly scroll.

Multitasking—running two apps side by side—also felt natural. For example, you could open a web browser on the left and a note-taking or messaging app on the right. Even when watching a video and searching for information on the cast or a product, you could complete the task on the same screen without switching between apps. While it isn’t a tablet with an extremely large screen, it strikes a good balance between portability and workspace.

The crease in the center of the screen has also become much less noticeable. When viewed head-on, it wasn’t noticeable enough to interfere with the content. While the crease was noticeable when swiping across the center of the screen with a finger or when light hit it at an angle, I quickly stopped noticing it while watching videos or reading text.

The anti-glare coating on the inner screen also helped reduce reflections from lighting and windows. Overseas reviews consistently noted that the significant reduction in creases and glare improved immersion in the content.

However, the 5.5-inch cover screen is likely to be a matter of personal preference. It was convenient because there was no need to unfold the device just to check short messages or launch maps, music, or the camera. It was also easy to reach the top and bottom of the screen with one hand.

The cover screen, with its wider 16:10 aspect ratio, offered clear advantages for keyboard input. The relatively spacious key spacing reduced typos, and even users with small hands could easily reach both sides of the screen. Usability improved to the point where users no longer needed to unfold the device to type long messages.

However, because the device is shorter in height, bringing up the keyboard significantly reduced the visible area for conversations or content on the screen. This can feel somewhat restrictive when trying to review previous chat history or refer to a webpage while typing.

Performance is on par with a flagship smartphone. Equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Elite 5th Gen for Galaxy and 12GB of RAM, there were no noticeable lags when running multiple apps simultaneously or playing high-definition videos.

The battery capacity has been increased to 4,800 mAh compared to the previous generation. Under typical usage—alternating between the cover screen and the inner screen—the battery lasts well enough for a full day of use. It supports 45W wired charging, allowing it to charge up to 63% in about 30 minutes.

The camera system consists of a 50-megapixel wide-angle lens and a 50-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens. The unique features of a foldable device—such as showing the results of a photo to someone else on the cover screen after unfolding the device, or taking selfies with the rear camera—were also useful.

One drawback is the lack of a dedicated telephoto camera. While the main camera sensor delivers decent results up to 2x zoom, image quality deteriorates rapidly when zooming in on distant signs or performance stages.

Considering that the starting price in South Korea for the 256GB model is 2,278,100 won, it seems likely that quite a few users will be disappointed with the camera setup.

It was difficult to use the device while it was half-folded on a desk. If folded to a certain angle, the hinge would automatically fold or unfold, making it hard to lock it at the desired angle. If you need to prop the device upright like a laptop to watch videos, take selfies, or make video calls, you’ll need to purchase a separate stand case.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is a device that reduces the size and weight of a foldable phone and focuses on content consumption. For users who prioritize camera performance, the missing features may be the first thing they notice. On the other hand, if you frequently watch videos or view documents on a large screen while on the go, its appeal is clear. This is the foldable phone that best fits the description of having a tablet folded into a body the size of a passport.