Every Samsung Fold Compared

Linus Tech Tips

17,028 views • yesterday Save 6 min 4 min read

Video Summary

Samsung's Galaxy Fold journey began with a device "filled with compromises," featuring a tiny screen for typing and a downgraded camera. Despite its flaws, the original Fold offered a "wow factor" and a media consumption experience akin to a tablet, making it a conversation starter. Subsequent generations brought significant upgrades: the Z Fold 2 introduced a brighter, notch-less display and a vastly improved hinge, while the Fold 3 achieved IPX8 water resistance and an under-display camera, finally offering a "no compromises experience."

The Fold 4 enhanced usability with a wider outer screen and camera upgrades, but the Fold 5 revolutionized pocketability by folding flat and boosting peak brightness. The Fold 6 introduced RCS messaging and a lighter design, though its sharp corners proved controversial. The Fold 7 addressed ergonomics with reduced weight and thickness, feeling like a regular phone that transforms into a tablet, and introduced Quick Share for cross-platform compatibility. The latest Fold 8 and Fold 8 Ultra continue this evolution with improved battery life, brighter screens, and enhanced crease reduction, aiming to perfect the foldable experience.

Short Highlights

The original Galaxy Fold was a "device filled with compromises" but offered a "wow factor" and tablet-like media consumption.
The Z Fold 2 brought major improvements, including a brighter screen, hole-punch camera, and a vastly improved hinge.
The Fold 3 achieved "no compromises" with IPX8 water resistance and an under-display camera.
The Fold 5 introduced a flat-folding design and significantly increased peak brightness.
The Fold 7 focused on ergonomics, reducing weight and thickness for a more conventional feel.
The Fold 8 and Fold 8 Ultra offer enhanced battery life, brighter displays, and improved crease reduction.

Key Details

The Original Fold: A Glimpse of the Future [0:18]

The earliest Galaxy Fold models featured great cover screens and nearly creaseless inner screens but were plagued by usability issues.
Typing on the small inner screen was a "major problem," and the main camera was a "huge downgrade" compared to other flagships.
Despite significant compromises, the device was loved for its "media consumption beast" capabilities and "wow factor."

"Once I went fold, for me, there was just no going back."

Z Fold 2: Major Upgrades [1:48]

The Z Fold 2 introduced "major improvements to the inner screen," making it brighter and eliminating the "screen like jello effects."
It featured a hole-punch camera instead of a notch and a dramatically improved hinge that allowed it to "open at any angle."
Key additions included a "giant 4500 milliamp hour battery" and an integrated fingerprint sensor.

"Samsung eliminated the screen like jello effects that you got when you were scrolling through webpages."

Fold 3: The "No Compromises" Era [3:25]

This generation was the first foldable with "IPX8 water resistance," allowing use near water without worry.
It introduced the first under-display camera, eliminating notches and hole punches.
The Fold 3 also brought "really great software optimization" and support for the S Pen.

"This was the first foldable to hit the market with IPX8 water resistance."

Fold 5: Folding Flat and Brighter [5:13]

The Fold 5 was the first to "actually fold flat," significantly improving pocketability and ergonomics.
It featured boosted peak brightness up to "1700 nits" on both displays, enhancing media consumption and outdoor usage.
The device boasted fast charging and a powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor that "walked all over competing folds."

"This was the first fold to actually fold flat, instead of having a small gap at the hinge."

Fold 7: Ergonomics and Refinement [7:15]

Samsung "dramatically improved, both the weight of this device and the thickness," making it feel like a regular phone when folded.
It introduced Quick Share with cross-platform compatibility for easy sharing with AirDrop users.
Despite some criticisms regarding battery and camera compared to the S25 Ultra, its usability for tasks like spreadsheets was highlighted.

"This was the first fold, that really just felt like using a regular old candy bar phone, whenever it was folded."

Fold 8 & 8 Ultra: The Latest Evolution [8:41]

The Fold 8 features a "four by three aspect ratio" for reduced black bars and improved battery life.
It boasts a "markedly improved crease" compared to previous generations and boosted screen brightness to "3000 nits."
The Fold 8 Ultra adds improved anti-glare performance and a "titanium film layer" for enhanced durability.

"For me, the biggest improvement here though, is that now this tablet that you carry around in your pocket, has, here, I'm gonna try and catch this in the light, a markedly improved crease."