Samsung announced its latest foldable smartphones last week, and the lineup includes the Galaxy Z Fold8, a device that’s close to what we expect Apple’s foldable “iPhone Ultra” to look like when it comes out later this year. MacRumors videographer Dan Barbera has been testing Samsung’s new foldable, and the wide 4:3 display shows off the iPhone Ultra perfectly.
Unlike most of Samsung’s Galaxy Folds, the Z Fold8 is wider with a tablet-like look and feel when unfolded. It’s 5.5 inches when closed and 7.6 inches when open, and those are roughly the same dimensions we’ve seen rumored for the iPhone Ultra. It’s not as tall or narrow as Samsung’s other foldable smartphones, and it feels like using an iPad mini.
A wide open display is better for running two apps side by side, and it’s a better screen size for watching videos. The 5.5-inch cover display is perfect for viewing notifications, responding to texts, and responding to emails, and the wide display is perfect for tasks that may use screen real estate.
Samsung’s wrap is our best look yet at what it will be like to use the iPhone Ultra, and where the shortcomings may lie. The book form factor isn’t the best for direct video, and some apps aren’t designed for the screen size. Apple is working on automatic resizing so that apps match the iPad-like design, so it may be in a better position than Samsung on the software side.
Samsung’s device only has two camera lenses and not the best camera technology the company has, and that’s what we expect from the iPhone Ultra as well. A telephoto lens is unlikely, and the drop in camera quality could be one of the biggest downsides to choosing the iPhone Ultra over the iPhone 18 Pro this fall. Face ID will also be missing, and the return to Touch ID on smartphones is a big change.
Apple’s design should be almost flawless with a strong hinge, and Samsung has used new hinge technology for the Z Fold8. Samsung says the new device reduces the crease and makes it harder to hear than previous models, but is still clearly visible in certain light. It will be interesting to see how Apple’s fold compares.
Samsung didn’t come out with this wide-screen foldable smartphone until rumors suggested it was a design Apple was planning to use. Samsung and Apple both have a history of adopting features after the other company comes out with something new, but Samsung seems to follow Apple more often. It seems that Apple has taken a stance and the details have leaked out, leading Samsung to make a similar device. Samsung was able to sell before Apple because Samsung has been making foldable smartphones for years.
Rumors about Apple-style folding began around March 2018, and Samsung’s first foldable came out in 2019. Samsung had seven years to choose a wide design like the one Apple chooses, but they didn’t introduce the form factor until a few months before Apple’s foldable was rumored to be coming.
Samsung is unlikely to entice iPhone users to choose the iPhone Ultra when it comes out because most people tend to stick with the preferred operating system, but it could stop Galaxy users from switching to Apple’s tablet-like design. The iPad-like 4:3 display works, and the iPhone Ultra will sell well, even at a price around $2,000. Samsung has priced the Z Fold8 at $1,900, but rumors suggest that Apple could charge $2,500.
Apple knows that the iPhone Ultra will shock people with its sticker, and that’s probably one of the reasons why it recently introduced the Apple Upgrade. Apple Upgrade allows you to lease a smartphone at a lower monthly price than you could get through the iPhone Upgrade Program, and it will help Apple sell the new iPhone.
Dan went into the tests expecting that the rumored price would keep the iPhone Ultra niche, but after using the Galaxy Z Fold8 and showing other people the design, he is now convinced that the iPhone Ultra will be very good.