Galaxy Z Fold 8 After 48 Hours: Battery, Charging, Crease

Quick summary: Two days in, the Galaxy Z Fold 8’s battery life keeps impressing me. Super fast wireless charging is maddeningly finicky, though, and it wouldn’t charge on my Tesla’s pad. Here’s everything else I’ve noticed so far.

Battery life

For the second day in a row I got 12 to 13 hours, from 7 AM to about 7 or 8 PM, with almost six hours of screen-on time and 10 to 15% left. I could probably hit seven hours. That’s with 5G, Wi-Fi and high brightness, and only Always On Display off. It’s an improvement over last year so far. We’ll see how it holds up after a few months.

Super fast wireless charging is finicky

The Fold 8 supports 20W super fast wireless charging. I’ve seen it work with the Latercase, with the Benks case and with no case, but the same phone in the same position will show super fast, then fast, then just “wireless.” Use at least a 45W brick and line it up perfectly. Regular fast wireless charging basically works. Super fast is hit or miss.

Tesla wireless charging: no luck

In my 2022 Model Y, the phone overlapped the left pad, and on the right pad it fit but wouldn’t charge. It seems too wide. You might get it to work with lots of repositioning, but I couldn’t.

Screen protectors

The cover screen has no protector from the factory, but the Benks case includes one. I haven’t removed the inner protector yet. I can barely tell it’s there. I’ll probably remove it once it gets dirty, after confirming it won’t damage the phone.

Brightness and crease vs the Fold 8 Ultra

Both are rated at 3,000 nits, and side by side in the sun I couldn’t see a difference, despite rumors the Ultra is brighter. The creases look about the same too. You can see them at an angle in the light, but I can’t see them head on.

Cases

I’ve been using Benks cases. My dbrand Grip case is a little thicker, but I love the grip. I accidentally stepped on the outer piece and broke it, so they’re sending a replacement. My wife will be rocking the super-thin Latercase with magnets, though I worry a little about the exposed hinge. The SUPCASE is another option.

The speakers are almost embarrassingly loud

Walking down the street watching a video without my audio glasses, other people could hear it. It’s impressive.

Who each phone is for

The Fold 8 feels compact, a great fit for younger people and anyone who wants something different. I’m using it as my main phone. But the Ultra’s 8-inch inner screen versus about 7.6 inches feels massive. If you need bigger text or have trouble seeing your screen, and you don’t live on the cover display, get the Fold 8 Ultra. You can enlarge text on both, though.

• Order the Galaxy Z Fold 8 from Samsung
• OhSnap SnapGrip
• Benks case for the Galaxy Z Fold 8, code GREGGLESTV
• dbrand Grip case
• Latercase for the Galaxy Z Fold 8
• SUPCASE for the Galaxy Z Fold 8