After using the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra for several days, one question keeps surfacing: is it really worth spending nearly $2,000 on a foldable of this caliber, especially considering the performance of its telephoto lens? The device boasts an 8-inch internal display, a next-gen Snapdragon processor, and a 200MP main camera. Yet the 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom raises eyebrows. In a market where competitors like the Motorola Razr Fold offer innovative solutions, Samsung chose to stick with a camera system that, while competent, doesn't fully justify the premium price.
Does the 10MP Telephoto Lens Meet Expectations?
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra features a telephoto lens with f/2.4 aperture and optical stabilization. In practical tests, 3x shots are sharp in good light but suffer in low-light conditions. Digital zoom beyond 5x introduces noticeable noise. Compared to the iPhone 18 Pro, which offers a 12MP telephoto with variable aperture, Samsung's sensor appears less versatile. Opting for a 10MP sensor rather than a more advanced periscope seems a compromise to keep costs and thickness down.
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Comparison with Direct Competitors
The Motorola Razr Fold, launched a few weeks earlier, integrates a periscope system with 5x optical zoom, surpassing the Fold 8 Ultra in photographic flexibility. Even generative AI is making inroads into computational photography, but Samsung has yet to incorporate advanced AI features for zoom enhancement. The price difference between the two devices is minimal, yet the Razr Fold offers a clearly superior telephoto. For photography enthusiasts, this could be a deciding factor.
A Trade-Off Between Portability and Optical Quality
Samsung designed the Fold 8 Ultra to be thin and light, with a folded thickness of 13.4mm. Incorporating a periscope module would have increased dimensions, hurting usability. However, many users expect the best from an ultra-premium device. According to Wikipedia, the Galaxy Z Fold series has always focused on form factor innovation, but the camera has remained a weak point. The Fold 8 Ultra's telephoto represents an incremental improvement, not a generational leap.
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Ultimately, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is an exceptional device for productivity and multitasking, but its telephoto lens leaves the user with a doubt: is the premium worth paying for a camera that doesn't excel at zoom? The answer depends on personal priorities. For occasional shooters, it may suffice. For enthusiasts, perhaps it's better to wait for the next iteration or turn to the competition.
Source: https://www.androidauthority.com/samsung-galaxy-z-fold-8-ultra-hands-on-3689949
