I Switched Back to Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra From the Fold 8

Quick summary: I’ve loved the Galaxy Z Fold 8 since launch, but on paper the Fold 8 Ultra is the better phone, and it deserves more love. So I moved my main SIM to it for at least a week or two. After 24 hours, I almost never use its narrow cover screen, but social media on the big inner screen is more enjoyable.

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Takeaways after 24 hours

• A remote-control cover screen. It’s about the size and width of a TV remote. Like on my Fold 7, I almost never use it because it’s too skinny.
• I love living on the inner display. Vertical apps and videos are properly formatted and more comfortable than on the Fold 8. On the Fold 8, I used the cover screen maybe more than 50% of the time. On the Ultra, it’s 90% inside and 10% outside.
• What I want next year: a Pixel 11 Pro Fold-style cover screen, basically an S26 Ultra on the outside with the same inner display. If that happens, I’d likely make the Ultra my full-time phone.
• Pockets: the short Fold 8 drops into a pocket more easily.
• Zoom: up to 30x on the Ultra versus 10x on the Fold 8, which is great even just for looking at things.
• Multitasking: the wider Fold 8 feels more usable. On the Ultra I sometimes have to rotate the phone.
• App compatibility seems a little better on the Ultra, open or closed.

It felt a little awkward at first, but I got used to it quickly. There’s a good chance I’ll switch back to the Fold 8 after a week or two.

• SupCase for the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra on Amazon, code GREGGSAV10
• Buy the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra from Samsung
• OhSnap SnapGrip Stand