Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra vs. Galaxy Z Fold 6: This one is better - in every conceivable way

ZDNETFollow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.So, you have a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6, and you're eyeing the latest foldable flagship from Samsung. That's fair. Two years is a long time to own a phone -- though it's not as long as the average phone ownership period, which is actually flirting with 3.5 years, according to popular phone reseller SellCell. Maybe you want to take advantage of a trade-in offer to get the upgrade. Whatever the case, you are leaning toward getting the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. It's a remarkable phone, to be sure. Also: Everything announced at Samsung Unpacked 2026: New foldables, smartwatches, moreThe Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 is no slouch, though, and it holds two distinct advantages over the latest phone. But will those advantages keep your loyalty when compared with everything the Z Fold 8 Ultra brings to the table? It's a familiar form factor for you; it has the same square inner screen and multitasking capabilities. But it brings a lot more to the table, so here are some reasons why you might want to upgrade and some reasons why you might want to hold onto it for one more year. SpecificationsSamsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 UltraSamsung Galaxy Z Fold 6Cover display 6.5-inch AMOLED 120Hz / 8-inch AMOLED 120Hz with 3,000 nits brightness 6.3-inch LTPO AMOLED 120Hz / 8-inch AMOLED 120Hz with 2,600 nits brightness Weight 215g 239g Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 RAM/Storage 12GB / 256GB, 12GB / 512GB, 16GB / 1TB 12GB / 256GB, 12GB / 512GB, 12GB / 1TB Battery 5,000mAh with 45W charging 4,400mAh with 25W charging Rear cameras 200MP main, 50MP ultrawide, 10MP telephoto (2x optical) 50MP wide, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP telephoto (3x optical) Front cameras 10MP (cover and main) 10MP/4MP under-screen cameras (cover and main) Connectivity 5G 5G Price Starting at $2,099 Starting at $639.89 (renewed) You should buy the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra if... Kerry Wan/ZDNET1. You can take advantage of a trade-in or financingBuying this phone outright is hard to justify when the price sits at $2,099.99. There are reasons for the price -- RAM shortages, tariffs, and all sorts of complexity make this an expensive machine. Fortunately, you live in the US, where trade-ins and carrier deals take precedence. There's a good chance you'll be able to pick this phone up for a couple of Netflixes per month, which, for many, is far more doable. That makes this phone very attractive indeed. Also: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra vs. Z Fold 7: After a year of usage, I'm ready to upgradeSamsung also has great trade-in deals for people who are upgrading from one Samsung device to the next. So, if that's something you can take advantage of, it's an even better deal. There is a lot to love in this phone, so if you can manage it financially, it will be a welcome improvement. 2. You want better... everything If the S Pen is a reason to keep your current Z Fold 6, then everything else is a reason to pull the trigger. You get better screens, better cameras, more power, a better build, and more. When you zoom out, it's very obvious which of these phones is the better offering, and it's really not even close. Also: I tested the 100x zoom cameras of Samsung, Google, and Motorola phones - this model wonWhat the Z Fold 7 represented was mostly a fundamental -- and overdue -- shift in Samsung's design philosophy. The closed phone feels like using a typical smartphone, which is decidedly not the case when holding the Fold 6. You get a lot of extra width and a lot less depth behind the phone, and it makes using the phone a ridiculously better experience. Keep the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 if... Prakhar Khanna/ZDNET1. You don't have an extra $2,000 lying aroundThe first, best, and almost only reason you really need to hold onto the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 is that you already own it. It's bought and -- probably -- paid for by now. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra has an eye-wateringly high price. Even if you didn't already own it and wanted to buy it renewed from Amazon, it is less than one-third of the price of the Z Fold 8 Ultra. I'm not saying that the Z Fold 8 Ultra isn't worth the money -- that's between you and your accountant.Also: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Z Flip 8: Is a foldable or a flip the better option?The fact of the matter is that the Z Fold 6 is still a great phone. It does everything the Z Fold 8 Ultra promises -- multitasking, power, and a much larger screen that slips into your pocket. It's easy to look at what's new and want it badly, but don't let it sour your opinion of the great phone you already have.2. You want S Pen supportIf you're looking for the killer feature for some people, the S Pen may be it. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 is the last Samsung foldable that supports an S Pen, or any stylus, for that matter. Passive styluses still work, of course, but if you want the dedicated functionality of Samsung's S Pen, this is the phone to get.Also: The best Samsung phones to buy in 2025The expansive canvas of a Samsung foldable really makes a lot of sense for the S Pen. Drawing and tapping on the screen with precision is something that has attracted users since the original Galaxy Note. The Z Fold 6 even has a dedicated case that stores the S Pen if you need it. The case slots the pen into the back of the phone, and it makes a good grip when you're holding the phone open. Plus, the bump on the back of the case levels out the phone when it lies on a table. Overall, it's a killer accessory for the Fold 6. Writer's choiceFor me, it's not even close. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is a much better phone in every conceivable way, except for the S Pen. I used the Z Fold 6 for a year with an S Pen case, and while I used the S Pen occasionally, it was so infrequent that I wouldn't even notice not having it. Your mileage may vary, but for the reasons listed here, and probably a dozen others, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is my phone of choice. Featured