After a month with the Galaxy Z Fold 8, every other Android phone feels wrong

I’ve had the Galaxy Z Fold 8 for nearly a month now, and I’ve purposely avoided using any other phone during that time. I had high hopes — and expectations — for the phone even before its launch, primarily because I have long wanted to use small phones that don’t feel sub-premium. What I didn’t expect was how hard it would hit me to switch back to a “regular” phone.

Every moment I have spent with the Fold 8 has changed my perception of what a phone should feel like in the hand. Rather than thinking of the Fold 8 in terms such as “short,” “stout,” or “wide,” I have come to feel that every other phone is too tall and unwieldy. For that reason, I don’t see myself (willingly) giving up the Fold 8 — or returning to phones with displays bigger than 6.7 inches, which, unfortunately, has become the norm for a flagship Android experience.

Before I dive into my reasons in detail, I’d love for you to tell me what you think of the Fold 8’s shape.

My admiration for the Fold 8 is boundless

I don’t consider myself a foldable novice; I’ve used most Samsung foldables over the years and have seen them progress from distinctive and groundbreaking to commonplace, even in non-tech-concentrated surroundings near me. So, when I was mentally preparing to use the Galaxy Z Fold 8, I wasn’t guided by the fact that it was “just another folding phone.”

Instead, the compass that sparked my curiosity and a strong desire to use the Fold was its new shape. As I wrote above, I had high expectations for the squatter design to meet my needs for entertainment, reading, and internet browsing without awkward banding or scaling issues of regular book-style foldable — while still folding back into a compact package that fits easily in my pocket.

And I’m extremely pleased that the Fold 8 has delivered exactly what I hoped for, and I feel so because of a few reasons. For one, I’m not a fan of watching long-form videos, shows, or movies on tiny screens (and I’ve been trying to cut back on my appetite for short-form content anyway). So my go-to device for watching content previously, for times when I’m not rotting in front of the TV, would be a tablet or an 11-inch iPad Pro. At times, that can feel jarring because of the bulk and dimensions, which absolutely require using both hands if you plan to keep holding the iPad.

An iPad Mini, perhaps, would be a better fit for this use case. But if I go that route, it becomes “the other device” I have to carry alongside my phone, not something I can use to replace it. Another viable candidate for this role would be a standard book-style foldable, but despite the several generations of Folds from Samsung, or other brands such as OnePlus, vivo, and even underdogs like TECNO that I’ve used, I’ve never grown fond of empty black bands on both sides of a video being played.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 addresses these concerns about banding and optimal use of space across both screens, and I appreciated that from the get-go.

Another reason the Galaxy Z Fold earns my utter respect is the inner screen, which makes reading more enjoyable. When unfolded, the screen mimics the shape and size of a regular novel — or even a Kindle — which instantly makes it feel like the natural way to read. And while a Kindle perfectly serves that purpose, its mobile apps offer one feature that an actual e-reader doesn’t — vertical scrolling. The ability substantially boosts reading without interruptions, especially for minds like mine that are attuned to vertical scrolling

Meanwhile, the Fold 8, when folded back, makes for a perfect small phone. It fits nicely in the hands, allows for effortless scrolling, and reaches the farthest keys on the keyboard. Reaching the top edge to expand notifications or quick settings does not automatically induce anxiety about the phone potentially falling out of the hand — even with a case installed. And that’s such a secure feeling that I rarely feel with other devices.

The Fold 8 redefined ‘normal’ for me

In comparison, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra or the OnePlus 15, my previous daily drivers, satisfy my needs for entertainment and performance. What they don’t offer is the comfort of keeping just one hand engaged.

But beyond that, the feeling that keeps coming back is how tall these phones feel — and that’s something I hadn’t imagined earlier or prepared for. Before I used the Fold 8, I expected it to be shorter than regular phones. Instead, it redefined what “regular” phone height is for me. Every time I switch from the Fold 8 to another device, I can’t help but notice that phone is too long — or be reminded of the unusually tall Motorola phones from the One series.

That fleeting feeling lasts only a few seconds, but it’s like a constant reminder that phones can be useful without being humongous. Fewer brands truly understand that, and I’m glad we’re finally seeing a resurgence of Android phones that aren’t massive yet offer the same specifications. Samsung is also expected to bring back a smaller Ultra-grade flagship in the form of the Galaxy S27 Pro for people who don’t want foldables.

But while I love the experience now, all the affection didn’t come with some initial work in this relationship.

Getting used to the Fold 8 bent my brain a little

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 transformed my perception of what a phone should look and feel like. After a month with the phone, the wider aspect ratio feels more gratifying than any regular-sized slab phone. I’m glad I can securely grip the Fold 8 with one hand and keep my other hand free for multitasking (while engaging with the physical world).

But at the same time, the Fold 8 has reshaped a lot of my muscle-memory habits. Getting used to the shape, especially the inner screen, came with some initial friction. While using the Fold 8 unfolded and held in portrait mode — which I do a lot — I initially struggled to reach the power or volume buttons instinctively. It is probably because I couldn’t immediately register that this wasn’t a standard phone and therefore expected those buttons to be on the right edge, not at the top or bottom.

It’s the same feeling as frequently alternating between vehicles with a manual and an automatic gearbox — or even a left-hand drive and a right-hand drive — and watching your brain glitch in real time.

That friction, thankfully, has subsided as I spend more time with the Fold 8, and I no longer find myself grappling with button placement. It’s another micro-skill mastered, not a habit truly changed.

I still feel a bit downcast that certain less popular apps still don’t adapt well to the screen, but there’s a promising shift from bigger developers, including Meta. And while I hate to credit an iPhone for it, the iPhone Duo’s arrival means more developers will be eagerly adapting their apps to this format

A pinch of nostalgia for the perfect taste

This one’s a bit personal and may not appeal to everyone, but I dearly miss BlackBerry phones. I bought a used Curve briefly before the company  — and before that, a Nokia X2-01, simply because I was so smitten by the QWERTY keyboard

Newer phones, no matter how exciting or novel they feel, do not offer a similar experience. But I’ve found the Galaxy Z Fold 8 to come uncannily close.

Typing on the Fold 8 — after some adjustments to Gboard’s height — oddly evokes the sensation of typing on a keyboard. Of course, the touchscreen can never match the tactile supremacy of a physical keyboard; the Fold 8 delivers part of the experience, thanks to the screen’s size and shape when the keyboard is expanded.

So, using the Fold 8 is not just convenient for single-hand typing, but also exceptionally gripping with both hands.

Now that I’ve settled, I don’t want to go back

I’m not overstating it when I say this, but I’m awestruck by the Fold 8. After reviewing several dozens of devices at launch, this one feels the most satisfying, despite its quirks and the initial learning curve. And I don’t see my fascination ending soon.

What I have witnessed vanish, meanwhile, is my understanding that only colossal phones actually satisfy one’s need for a good premium experience. The Fold 8 is easily one of the phones I place in the highest tier among all devices I have used over several years. Perhaps the last phone that truly made me feel this excited was the Galaxy Z Flip 3 (for being the first Flip with a truly usable outer screen). While I can appreciate other phones that offer excellent cameras, superfast charging, or multi-day batteries, I don’t love them as much as the Fold 8 — and I’m not ashamed to admit it.

What I can admit is that the Fold 8 is not for everyone. Price aside, I do believe the cameras could have been much better, but it’s great to see other brands filling that void. I still feel a bit reluctant to jump ship because I’m fairly comfortable with One UI (and strongly feel it’s the best Android skin in 2026).

But if you, like me, can settle for a camera that doesn’t always aim to outpace a DSLR’s image quality, can accept some quirks, and, more importantly, want a compact phone that feels more liberating than a mighty slab but without the heft, I would really encourage to you to consider the Fold 8. I think you’ll love it.