Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra and Apple’s first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, are competing for consumers seeking a premium foldable smartphone, with both devices offering large displays, flagship processors and advanced features.
While Samsung has years of experience developing foldable smartphones, Apple is making its entry into the market with a device designed to combine the traditional iPhone experience with a larger, tablet-style display.
Here is how the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra compares with the iPhone Duo.
Display
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra features an 8-inch internal AMOLED display paired with a 6.5-inch cover screen.
The iPhone Duo comes with a 7.6-inch internal OLED display and a 5.4-inch external screen.
Samsung therefore has the edge for users who prioritise screen size. The larger unfolded display is particularly useful for browsing the web, streaming videos, editing documents and running multiple apps at the same time.
Performance
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy processor, while the iPhone Duo uses Apple’s latest A20 Pro chip.
Both processors are designed to handle demanding applications, gaming and artificial intelligence tasks.
However, a definitive performance winner will depend on independent benchmark results and real-world testing.
Camera
Samsung has the more versatile camera system on paper.
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra features a 200MP primary camera, a 50MP ultrawide camera and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom.
The iPhone Duo has two 48MP rear cameras.
While megapixel counts alone do not determine image quality, Samsung’s dedicated telephoto lens gives the Fold 8 Ultra an advantage for users who frequently photograph distant subjects.
Apple, however, has a strong reputation for computational photography and video recording, so the iPhone Duo could remain highly competitive despite having fewer cameras.
Battery
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is equipped with a 5,000mAh battery.
Apple uses a dual-cell battery design in the iPhone Duo and has focused on delivering all-day battery life despite its slim foldable design.
Samsung has the advantage in battery capacity on paper, but real-world endurance will depend on factors such as software optimisation, processor efficiency, screen brightness and usage patterns.
Multitasking and productivity
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra has a clear advantage when it comes to multitasking and productivity.
Samsung has spent years refining its foldable software, allowing users to run multiple applications simultaneously on the large internal display.
When unfolded, the Fold 8 Ultra can function almost like a compact tablet, making it an attractive option for users who rely heavily on their smartphones for work.
Apple has introduced software features tailored to the larger display of the iPhone Duo, but Samsung’s longer experience gives it an advantage in foldable multitasking.
Durability
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra carries an IP48 rating, while the iPhone Duo has an IP68 rating.
This gives Apple’s device an advantage in terms of dust and water resistance.
Durability remains an important consideration when buying a foldable smartphone because the flexible display and hinge introduce additional mechanical complexity compared with conventional phones.
Price
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra starts at around $2,100, while the iPhone Duo has a starting price of approximately $1,999.
Apple’s first foldable iPhone is therefore slightly cheaper at launch.
However, prices in markets such as Nigeria can vary significantly from US launch prices because of taxes, import duties, exchange rates and retailer margins.
Which one should you buy?
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is the better option for users who prioritise productivity, multitasking, camera versatility and a larger internal display.
Samsung’s experience in the foldable market also gives buyers access to a more established foldable platform.
The iPhone Duo, meanwhile, is likely to appeal most to existing Apple users who want a foldable smartphone without leaving the iOS ecosystem.
For consumers who already use products such as a MacBook, Apple Watch or AirPods, the iPhone Duo could offer a more seamless experience by keeping their devices within the Apple ecosystem.
Ultimately, the better choice depends on the user’s priorities: Samsung has the advantage in foldable productivity and versatility, while Apple’s device could be the more attractive option for consumers already deeply invested in the iPhone ecosystem.
