If you’re planning to get your hands on Samsung’s latest, squattest foldable, just know that they may not last through as many hits at the charging station as your previous Samsung flagship phone.
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 family of devices is Samsung’s first lineup with silicon carbide batteries. This type of battery material is more heat resistant and therefore more resilient and efficient. The battery type also normally holds more of a charge than the same-sized lithium ion battery. The problem is that, according to EU regulatory documents first reported by 9to5Google, Samsung’s new phones also won’t maintain their full charge after just 1,200 charging cycles.
After those 1,200 charging cycles, the batteries reportedly lose 20% capacity. For comparison, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is rated for 2,000 charging cycles before losing battery life. The Galaxy Z Fold 8, Z Fold 8 Ultra, and the Z Flip 8 all suffer from this battery health downgrade.
It’s not like Samsung is losing to the competition with this move. Google’s Pixel 10 Pro is only rated for 1,000 charging cycles before the battery loses its potency. Apple’s phones like the iPhone 17 Pro also stick to the standard 1,000 charging cycles. That may change with the iPhone 18 Pro Max, with leaks noting Apple may upgrade the battery to extend its lifespan.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 has a larger, 4,800mAh battery than the Z Fold 7. The Z Fold 8 Ultra packs in a massive 5,000mAh battery, which means even after a few years when the battery degrades, the phone may still get you through a day. Neither the Ultra nor non-Ultra variants include a magnetic ring for any kind of MagSafe battery pack, which means you’ll either have to buy a case with a ring or find other ways to give your device a charge if you’re low on juice when out and about.
Silicon carbide batteries may not prove as resilient as older battery types, so as the technology becomes the norm, we can expect our batteries to lose out in longevity. Samsung promises you’ll get seven years of software updates for its flagship devices, but the phone may not last you quite as long as that older Galaxy phone you’re switching from.
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