Samsung's new foldable shape finally makes sense

Samsung's latest foldable phones, the Galaxy Z Fold8 and Z Fold8 Ultra, mark a significant departure from the company's previous foldable designs. For nearly a decade, Samsung's foldable line maintained a tall, narrow cover screen that mimicked a traditional smartphone, but the new devices adopt a shorter and wider form factor. This change, according to early reviews, makes the Fold8 more comfortable to use and encourages users to actually unfold the device more often. The Fold8's hinge is easier to open, reducing the friction that previously made users stick to the cover screen. The wider shape also allows for better multitasking, with the ability to run three apps side by side, and provides a more tablet-like experience when opened, despite showing slightly less content in each app at a glance. The Fold8 Ultra, while featuring a taller display and a larger 5,000 mAh battery, suffers from the same issues as older models: the cover screen is harder to reach across, and the hinge requires more effort, making users less likely to unfold it. The Ultra also costs $200 more, though both phones are priced around $2,000. Battery life on the Ultra is stronger, but the Fold8 still manages five to six hours of screen-on time. The camera system is where the Ultra loses out, though the review does not specify details. Overall, the Fold8 is praised as immensely nicer to use, with more breathing room and a design that finally feels right for a folding phone.