The Galaxy Z Fold 8 has emerged as the clear favourite among foldable enthusiasts, arriving as the first widely available passport-style foldable ahead of Apple’s debut foldable handset. With the iPhone Ultra still several weeks from launch, early sentiment suggests Samsung has taken a commanding lead in this new device category.
The iPhone Ultra faces design questions
Product design has long been central to Apple’s identity, yet the company has produced its share of missteps over the years, including the bottom-charging Magic Mouse 2 and the cylindrical Mac Pro. Recent rumours about the foldable iPhone Ultra have raised concerns that it could join that list.
The chief worries centre on an asymmetrical design and selfie cameras positioned on the sides of the device. These quirks have drawn scepticism from foldable fans who question whether the handset will deliver the polish typically associated with Apple hardware.
Readers back Samsung by a wide margin
A reader poll gauging opinions on this season’s passport-style foldables produced striking results. More than 600 respondents weighed in on which offering they preferred between Apple and Samsung, and just under 68% chose the Galaxy Z Fold 8. The iPhone Ultra did not even reach 15% of the vote.
The new form factor also had its detractors. Around 9% of respondents said they did not like either model, while almost 8% found both options appealing.
Commercial momentum appears to reinforce that enthusiasm. Samsung confirmed that preorders for the Galaxy Z Fold 8 in South Korea outperformed not only its previous foldables, but also the Galaxy S26 series and the record-setting Galaxy Note 10 duo. The device has also been well received in reviews, with releases describing the handset as comfortable to use and difficult to set aside once experienced.
Apple retains significant advantages heading into its foldable launch, including its ecosystem, brand loyalty and forthcoming iOS 27 updates, all of which typically help any iPhone sell strongly. Even so, there is a growing chance the iPhone Ultra could underperform in the manner of the iPhone Air, the iPhone 16 Plus and the iPhone 13 mini.
Samsung has already confirmed that Galaxy Z Fold 8 preorders in South Korea set a new record, surpassing every previous foldable and the Galaxy Note 10 duo.
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Image: phonearena.com
