Samsung's new foldable flagship, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, comes with a premium price tag and the promise of camera quality worthy of the Ultra name. However, an in-depth test by Tom's Guide compared its camera setup with that of the Galaxy S26 Ultra, revealing substantial differences that photography enthusiasts cannot ignore.
Camera specifications compared
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra boasts a 200MP main sensor with an f/1.7 aperture and a 50MP f/1.9 ultrawide camera, but only a single 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom. The Galaxy S26 Ultra, on the other hand, offers the same 200MP main sensor but with a wider f/1.4 aperture, an identical ultrawide, and dual telephoto lenses, including a 50MP shooter with 5x optical zoom. These technical differences translate into better low-light performance and longer telephoto reach for the S26 Ultra.
Detail and color in practical tests
In the 200MP full-resolution test, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra surprisingly outperformed the S26 Ultra in sharpness and detail, with clearer definition across many areas of the image. In terms of color, both devices produced vivid and natural tones, with the S26 Ultra slightly favoring warmer temperatures. The contest ended in a tie, proving that in good lighting conditions the two phones are very close.
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Ultrawide and dynamic range
With the same 50MP ultrawide sensor, the two phones produced almost identical sharpness and distortion levels. However, the Galaxy S26 Ultra displayed slightly superior exposure and shadow handling, with a wider dynamic range that preserved details in both highlights and shadows. This advantage was evident in the park photo, where the S26 Ultra achieved a more natural balance.
Portrait and selfie comparison
In portrait tests, the Galaxy S26 Ultra captured finer details, such as fabric texture and subject contours, thanks to sharper rendering. Selfies, on the other hand, were a near tie, with both phones delivering detailed and well-exposed images even in challenging lighting. Despite the S26 Ultra's 12MP front camera outclassing the dual 10MP shooters on paper, the practical difference is minimal.
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Low-light performance
The night test highlighted the advantage of the S26 Ultra's f/1.4 aperture, which let in significantly more light and produced brighter, more detailed images than the Z Fold 8 Ultra's f/1.7 lens. The backyard scene appeared more luminous and less noisy on the S26 Ultra, while the foldable showed deeper shadows and a less impressive overall result. This is a critical aspect for those who frequently shoot in dim environments.
Zoom and telephoto
In the zoom test, the gap became evident. The Galaxy S26 Ultra, with its 50MP telephoto and 5x optical zoom, delivered superior quality at longer distances, keeping details sharp. The Z Fold 8 Ultra, limited to 3x optical zoom, showed a clear loss of definition beyond that point. For users who love photographing distant subjects, the S26 Ultra remains the better choice.
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Final thoughts
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is an impressive device, but its camera system does not live up to the Ultra moniker when compared to the Galaxy S26 Ultra. If photography is your top priority, the S26 Ultra offers superior zoom, low-light, and dynamic range performance. For those seeking a foldable, the Z Fold 8 Ultra remains a viable option, with camera output that often approaches the traditional flagship. The choice depends on personal priorities: if you want the absolute best, the S26 Ultra is the answer. If the flexibility of the foldable form factor is essential, the Z Fold 8 Ultra won't disappoint, but with some trade-offs.
