Luxury comes in a shell: the passport-sized foldable is here

Furthermore, there has been a substantial improvement in the hinges, which, being made of titanium, appear more robust than those of the previous eight generations, and the whole device is just as thin – if not thinner – than a standard smartphone.

This means that the Fold 8 fits easily into a jacket pocket and can be carried in a bag. This confirms just how much of a game-changer the new Galaxy Z Fold 8 is in a sector that is rather static and lacking in innovation.

It must be said that it resembles a product that arrived in Italia sporadically and almost on the sly, which was an Oppo model, but here the aim was to create a luxury item that would represent a technological breakthrough and stay one step ahead of all other manufacturers.

Let’s not hide behind the fact that Apple is set to launch its foldable phones in September, and it’s inevitable that we’ll see the usual hype, with the marketing narrative making Apple’s foldables look like the invention of the year.

Let’s get a bit ahead of ourselves and remember that the foldable iPhone, which is on its way, will feature Samsung display technology and a similar form factor, but what matters and will make the difference is not so much the brand, but the exclusive artificial intelligence features that Samsung offers and Apple does not provide adequately.

Is it the perfect device? No, not quite, but it’s a clear step up on what we’ve seen in previous generations – and it’s also featured on the Flip and the Fold Ultra.

Firstly, the crease is still visible, even if it’s starting to become barely noticeable. Obviously, the mere fact that it’s there unsettles the fragile minds of nerds like me. The other thing I’m not so keen on, from a very quick first look, is that some apps don’t adapt to the different screen orientations – whether the device is open, in portrait or landscape mode. However, in any case, it’s an excellent gadget for entertainment and perhaps even the all-too-inevitable compulsive scrolling. You can watch a film in peace, perhaps on a plane – and, incidentally, the passport-sized format makes for a perfect combination. And you can even work on an Excel spreadsheet or a PDF with a suitable, presbyopia-friendly display.

The new Fold8 makes a strong first impression with its weight – or rather, its extreme lightness: in fact, it tips the scales at just 201 grams, making it the lightest clamshell foldable the company has ever produced. But the real difference lies in the redesign of the displays.

When closed, it features a 5.5-inch screen with a 10:16 aspect ratio, ideal for replying to messages on the fly or scrolling through social media without that cramped feeling typical of older models. Once opened, you’re presented with a 7.6-inch display in a 4:3.5 aspect ratio, designed for watching videos, playing games or even reading e-books by simply rotating the device.

The design utilises Flex Titanium technology, a combination of alloys that makes the hinge open more smoothly and significantly reduces the central crease. On the camera front, there’s a dual 50-megapixel sensor that promises sharp shots in all conditions, complemented by smart features for recording simultaneously from both sides of the screen or automatically tracking subjects in videos.

To take home the Galaxy Z Fold8, it will cost you 2,100 euros for the 256GB model, €2,300 for the 512GB version, rising to €2,700 for the top-of-the-range 1TB model.