Everyone’s raving about the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, and it’s not hard to see why. The wider 4:3 aspect ratio of the folding display makes the Galaxy Z Fold 8 a joy to use unfolded, in both portrait and landscape mode. Samsung’s One UI software is magnificent on foldables, and this phone can run up to eight apps at once. But the foldable is not without its flaws.
Specifically, it’s difficult to live without Qi2 magnets. The lack of Flex mode is worth talking about, but I find this drawback easily overcome. When you want to prop up the Galaxy Z Fold 8 by itself, tent mode is a viable alternative, and the springier hinge is a net positive. However, you really want to use this phone’s 7.6-inch folding display for content consumption. To do that, you’ll need two accessories.
A thin MagSafe case unlocks Qi2 charging
Samsung didn’t include magnets, but you can add them
Samsung stubbornly refuses to include magnets inside its smartphones, and this trend continues with the Galaxy Z Fold 8. While the phone is technically “Qi2 Ready,” this term only refers to its charging speeds. The phone supports 20W fast wireless charging — slightly faster than the base Qi2 15W spec, but not quite as quick as the top Qi2.2 25W spec. This is speedy enough to charge the Galaxy Z Fold 8’s 4,800mAh battery, although it won’t help you connect to chargers and accessories.
I’m reluctant to use foldable cases for two key reasons. For one, folding phones are already thicker and heavier than their traditional smartphone counterparts, and a case adds even more thickness and weight. The practicality of cases designed for a phone that folds in half proved to be another issue. Historically, foldable cases have been clunky, two-part atrocities that relied on adhesive to attach to your folding phone.
But after using foldable cases with the Galaxy Z Fold 8, I’m happy to report that they’ve gotten better. I primarily used the official Samsung Carbon Magnet case with the Galaxy Z Fold 8, and I absolutely loved it. The case has a controversial design, as it only protects the back half of your phone. That sounds bad at first, but this design keeps the case extremely thin and light while avoiding the pitfalls of typical foldable cases. Despite the thin design, the Carbon Magnet Case has Qi2 magnets.
The reason to skip the Samsung Carbon Magnet case is its $110 price tag. I get that this is a premium case that comes with two anti-reflective screen protectors, but Samsung, this thing is too expensive. I bought the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and the Samsung Carbon Magnet case with my own money, as these are my daily drivers — not review units. That said, if you want a more reasonable option, the Spigen Air Fit Pro case adds MagSafe and full-coverage protection for around $30.
- Brand
-
Spigen
- Material
-
Plastic
- Wireless Charging Support
-
Yes, MagSafe
Spigen’s Air Fit Pro case for the Galaxy Z Fold 8 adds MagSafe compatibility, hinge protection, and camera protection to the foldable without too much extra bulk.
A compact MagSafe stand is a must
Without Flex mode, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 needs a stand
As I’ve alluded to, I prefer to use my phones, and especially foldables, caseless. The reason why I’m willing to add a case to the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is to make the most of its 7.6-inch folding screen. Flex mode is a nice feature to have, but it’s a bit overhyped. After all, if you use Flex mode to watch videos on a Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, you’re viewing a smaller video than you’d see with a traditional phone. Foldable phones are worth their high prices for their expansive inner screens, and you want to use them whenever you can.
A basic MagSafe case and an affordable kickstand are all you need to do just that. For the first week that I used the Galaxy Z Fold 8, I relied exclusively on tent mode. This viewing mode involves propping the Galaxy Z Fold 8 up like a tent and watching video on the cover screen. If I wanted to use the large Galaxy Z Fold 8 main screen to watch a video, I had to lay the device flat.
The experience, too, fell flat. This is a phone designed first and format for content consumption, as the 4:3 folding display aspect ratio is better suited to 16:9 video playback. Without a way to prop the Galaxy Z Fold 8 up for watching videos while out and about, the value proposition disappeared. Things clicked when I added a MagSafe case and a companion kickstand.
You won’t be able to use just any kickstand with the Galaxy Z Fold 8. Due to the short and stout form factor of this phone, it won’t work with many MagSafe accessories. Even with a MagSafe case, the magnetic ring sits just under the Galaxy Z Fold 8’s rear camera system. Use a MagSafe accessory that’s too tall, and it’ll interfere with the rear cameras. Use one that’s too long at the bottom, and it’ll protrude past the end of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 chassis.
I settled on Casetify’s Snappy Grip stand, which is essentially the size of a MagSafe ring itself. The compact design and the 5.8mm thickness of this Casetify kickstand is a perfect fit for the Galaxy Z Fold 8. And to my surprise, this stand has no problem supporting the Galaxy Z Fold 8 when unfolded. It’s thin enough that I occasionally leave the stand on my phone, and it doesn’t impact daily use at all because of its collapsible nature.
A kickstand is an accessory I rarely use with slab phones, but for foldables, it makes all the difference. I can prop up the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and enjoy the gorgeous main screen from anywhere.
- Material
-
5.8mm thin plastic
- Compatible Devices
-
MagSafe and Qi2
- Color(s)
-
Custom colors
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is better with accessories
No, you shouldn’t just buy a Pixel 11 Pro Fold or iPhone Duo
You’re probably wondering why you should buy a $1,899 phone that needs accessories to perfect the experience. Well, if MagSafe is a core feature in your book, maybe you shouldn’t. But the Galaxy Z Fold 8 measures 9.7mm thick and weighs 201 grams. It’s much thinner and lighter than the two other foldables with built-in Qi2 magnets: the Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold and the iPhone Duo. In fact, my Carbon Magnet Case adds Qi2 magnets to my Galaxy Z Fold 8, and the entire package is still thinner and lighter than the iPhone Duo.
Samsung prioritized keeping the Galaxy Z Fold 8 thin and light over adding features like Qi2 magnets. I’m not sure if I would’ve made the same choice, but I at least understand why. By making these accessories optional, you can run the Galaxy Z Fold 8 with a case and kickstand when you need it, and keep it thin and light when you don’t. That’s a level of flexibility no other foldable offers.