Samsung launches Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra as price-heavy alternative to other foldables
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra starts at $2,100, prompting analysts to compare it with six less costly smartphones, including earlier Fold models, Motorola’s Razr Fold, the Galaxy Z Flip 8 and the Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Samsung has introduced the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, a high-end foldable smartphone priced at $2,100. The device adds a larger display, a 200-megapixel main camera, a bigger battery and a titanium-alloy reinforced hinge, while remaining slightly heavier than the standard Fold 8.
Industry observers note that the base Galaxy Z Fold 8, which uses the same Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor but offers 12 GB of RAM and a 50-megapixel ultrawide sensor, is $200 cheaper and may satisfy users who do not need the Ultra’s extra camera hardware.
The previous-generation Galaxy Z Fold 7, still available through refurbished programs and occasional sales, retains an 8-inch screen, a 200-megapixel primary camera and a 10-megapixel telephoto lens, and can be found for as low as $1,200, making it a cost-effective alternative.
Motorola’s Razr Fold, the company’s first book-style foldable, offers an 8.1-inch display, a 6,000 mAh battery and 80 W wired charging. Its camera system includes a 50-megapixel periscope lens, and the phone is priced $200 below the Fold 8 Ultra.
For consumers preferring a smaller form factor, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 8 provides a flip-style design, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, 12 GB of RAM and a 50-megapixel main camera, with a starting price of $1,200.
Analysts also point to the non-foldable Galaxy S26 Ultra, which retails around $1,300. It shares the same flagship processor, features a 200-megapixel main sensor, a 50-megapixel ultrawide lens, a 10-megapixel telephoto lens and a 50-megapixel periscope telephoto lens, and includes an S Pen and faster 60 W charging.
"If value matters more to you, I’d seriously recommend settling for the base model," one reviewer said.
"Even cheaper foldables still hover in the normal flagship price range, yet they often make compromises in the camera and more," another commentator added.
The range of options highlights a trade-off between the premium specifications of the Fold 8 Ultra and the lower price points of earlier foldables and flagship smartphones.