Did Samsung Mess Up the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Speakers?

Quick summary: People online worry that the Galaxy Z Fold 8’s speakers end up on the same side when it’s open. One sits at the top and one at the bottom, so unfolded, both are on the left. After about five days with the phone, I think it’s an overblown issue.

First, the speakers are great

I’ve said it before: the Fold 8’s speakers are better than the Fold 8 Ultra’s and the Fold 7’s. They’re really loud and full.

Talking videos

I played one of my videos at full volume, closed and then open. Holding it straight on, I didn’t hear any loss in quality, and it didn’t feel like mono. If I put my ear to the left side versus the right, the left is louder because that’s where the speakers are. But the right side doesn’t sound muffled.

Music

Closed, music sounds a little bassier. Open, I’d guess about 5 to 7% less bass. That makes sense, since the speakers are close together when it’s closed and separated when it’s open. Volume and overall quality sound the same.

Verdict

Open or closed, it sounds good. If you didn’t know where the speakers were, you’d never think something sounded off. A lot of the people complaining haven’t actually used the phone.

• Order the Galaxy Z Fold 8 from Samsung
• Latercase with magnets
• OhSnap grip at Best Buy