Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8: The not-so-new form factor

Anyone interested in the Galaxy Z Fold8 should therefore also take a look at other clamshell foldables. The Google Pixel Fold is particularly exciting; with it, Google launched its first foldable smartphone in 2023. From the start, it featured a wider outer display than Samsung’s Fold models at the time, bringing it closer to the classic smartphone format. The unfolded display remained large enough, however, to offer the advantages of a tablet. Even back then, its similarity to the Oppo Find N2 concept was highlighted.

Oppo had taken a similar approach even earlier. The Find N, unveiled in 2021, featured a 5.49-inch outer display and a 7.1-inch inner display. The aspect ratio was particularly unusual: the unfolded display was nearly square, offering a large viewing area without making the device extremely narrow when closed. Oppo’s explicit goal was to create a foldable that could be operated like a normal smartphone even when closed.

This is exactly where the connection to the Fold8 lies. Samsung has now also opted for a wider cover display and a less extreme aspect ratio. This makes the device more comfortable to use without sacrificing the advantage of the large interior screen. The Fold8’s form factor is thus less of a radical reinvention and more of a logical evolution of an idea that other manufacturers experimented with years ago.

However, anyone looking for alternatives should also consider availability. Oppo initially launched its Find N exclusively in China. This highlights a fundamental problem with many foldables: technically interesting devices aren’t always officially available in Europe. The situation has been similar so far with current foldables like the Huawei Pura X Max or the Xiaomi 18 Fold.

The Galaxy Z Fold8 (buy it here on Amazon) therefore excels particularly in areas where Samsung can leverage its experience: software, update support, and the overall package’s suitability for everyday use. The form factor itself, however, isn’t unique to Samsung. Google and Oppo have long proven that a wider foldable can work; Samsung is now making this idea attractive and accessible to a broader market.