Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra vs Motorola Razr Fold: Which premium foldable should you get?

Samsung/Motorola/ZDNETFollow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.Samsung just held its 2026 Unpacked event, where the tech giant unveiled its new smartphone series, headlined by the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra the company's most powerful foldable to date. Building on seven generations of innovation, the flagship combines a powerful processor, a larger battery, a lightweight design, and a wider inner display to deliver a user experience few provide.Also: The best flip phones of 2026: I compared Samsung and Motorola's top modelsAs impressive as it may be, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra faces stiff competition from the 2026 Motorola Razr Fold. It is a compelling alternative to Samsung's offerings, boasting similar features such as high-end hardware and vibrant panels. I'd even argue that Motorola's device is better in certain areas.The question remains: which should you buy? I compared the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra to the Motorola Razr Fold across multiple categories. SpecificationsSamsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 UltraMotorola Razr Fold (2026)Displays6.5-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X (2520 x 1080) 120Hz / 8-inch QXGA+ AMOLED (2504 x 2256) 120Hz6.6-inch LTPO pOLED (2520 x 1080) 165Hz / 8.1-inch LTPO pOLED (2484 x 2232) 120HzWeight215g243gProcessorQualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for GalaxyQualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 5RAM/Storage12GB / 256GB, 512GB | 16GB / 1TB16GB / 512GBBattery5,000mAh6,000mAhRear cameras200MP main, 50MP ultrawide, 10MP telephoto (3x optical zoom)50MP wide, 50MP ultrawide/macro, 50MP telephotoFront cameras10MP (cover and main)20MP (cover), 32MP (main)Connectivity5G5GPriceStarting at $2,099Starting at $1,900 You should buy the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra if... Kerry Wan/ZDNET 1. You want better performanceIf performance is your top priority, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is the stronger choice as it is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. The chipset features a third-generation Oryon CPU with clock speeds up to 4.74GHz, an Adreno GPU, and a next-generation Hexagon NPU designed to enhance AI models. According to Qualcomm, the platform delivers 20% faster CPU performance and 23% faster GPU performance than the Snapdragon 8 Elite, making it well-suited for multitasking, mobile gaming, and general productivity.Also: Android backups count toward your 15GB Google storage limit now - how to check your settingsSamsung also has an advantage in storage options. While the Motorola Razr Fold is only available with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra comes in 12GB RAM with a 256GB SSD, 12GB RAM with a 512GB SSD, and 16GB RAM with a 1TB SSD. This combination of a high-end processor and multiple storage options makes Samsung's device feel almost like a mini-workstation rather than a foldable phone. 2. You want a lightweight deviceAt just 215 grams, it's nearly 30 grams lighter than the Motorola Razr Fold, which weighs 243 grams. While that may not seem like much on paper, it's instantly noticeable during everyday use when you're holding the phone for extended periods to read, browse the internet, or watch videos. The Z Fold 8 Ultra is also slightly smaller, measuring 158.4 x 143.2 x 4.1 mm when unfolded, making it easier to hold in one hand. Adam Doud/ZDNETWhat's great is that it still boasts a huge eight-inch inner display. This amount of width provides a more spacious workspace, giving productivity apps like spreadsheets, web browsers, and writing apps extra horizontal space. Split-screen apps feel less cramped, and online content can take advantage of this larger canvas for a more immersive experience. 3. You want access to robust AISamsung has spent several years building a robust ecosystem of AI features for its mobile devices. And the large panels enable users to fully leverage this comprehensive platform. For brevity, I won't go over every AI feature on the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, but I will highlight a few standouts Samsung mentioned.Also: This Android 17 setting logs suspicious activity on your phone for troubleshooting - turn it on ASAPYou have Now Brief, which provides personalized notifications tailored to your routines, interests, and daily needs. It even provides insights into device security, so you can stay on top of potential risks and malware entry points. Now Nudge is an assistant that surfaces contextually relevant suggestions inside text threads. For example, the tool will recommend checking your calendar to ensure you're available on a certain date or finding a restaurant online.As part of the One UI 9.0 update, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra will house a new AI Assistant Activity dashboard, providing a universal overview of all AI automations running on the phone. You won't have to hop from app to app in order to see what's going on. You should buy the 2026 Motorola Razr if... Cesar Cadenas/ZDNET 1. You want a better batterySamsung gave the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra a large 5,000 mAh battery. That's a significant improvement over the previous generation and will translate to longer runtimes. However, it still falls short of the Razr Fold, which packs a 6,000m mAh battery. Yes, that size difference makes a big difference.Review: Motorola Razr Fold (2026)When I reviewed the Razr Fold, I put it through my standard battery test by running a nonstop YouTube livestream on both the cover and inner displays. Using the cover screen, the phone lasted an impressive 31 hours on a single charge. Switching to the larger inner display, it still lasted just under 24 hours. Cesar Cadenas/ZDNETTo this day, it is the longest-lasting foldable I've tested. Motorola extends its lead with 80W wired charging, nearly double that of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra's 45W charging speed. Faster charging means less time waiting by a power outlet and more time actually using the phone. 2. You want better camerasWhen it comes to the cameras, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra technically has the better main camera. It's a 200MP lens, allowing the device to capture exceptional detail. The Razr Fold, on the other hand, beats it in every other area.All three cameras on the Razr Fold are 50MP. Whether you're shooting wide landscapes with the ultrawide lens, 16:9 photos with the main, or far-off subjects with the telephoto option, image quality is consistently great. The 50MP telephoto camera quickly became my favorite of the three during testing. It produced sharp, detailed zoom shots from a distance. I was able to easily read text on faraway signs and capture details that other smartphone cameras struggle to preserve Cesar Cadenas/ZDNETThe Razr Fold also has the advantage when it comes to selfies. Motorola's model has a 20MP selfie lens on the cover screen and a 32MP on the inner display. On the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, both front-facing cameras are 10MP, so the level of detail isn't as high. 3. You want better screensIt may surprise you, but the Motorola Razr Fold has the better displays. First off, both panels are larger. The cover screen is 6.6 inches, while the inner screen is 8.1 inches. Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra has a 6.5-inch cover screen and an 8-inch inner screen. A tenth of an inch may not sound like much, but in practice, it creates a roomier experience. App spacing will be slightly less cramped.Also: AT&T's new business plan includes 'unlimited' hotspot data - and starts at $75 per lineAdditionally, the cover screen on Motorola's model runs at a smooth 165Hz refresh rate, compared to the 120Hz panel on the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. The higher refresh rate will make web browsing and on-screen animations feel significantly more fluid. Supported games will be more responsive. Another area where the Razr Fold stands out is its screen technology. Both of its displays use LTPO pOLED panels, which dynamically adjust the refresh rate to what's on screen.So if you're watching a movie, the refresh rate will increase to boost performance. While you're reading an article or doing another less demanding task, the rate will decrease to preserve battery life. It delivers excellent visual performance without sacrificing efficiency. Featured reviews