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The Galaxy A57 5G is the lower-cost conventional phone; the Galaxy Z Fold8 is a much pricier foldable built around a larger screen that opens to 7.6 inches. At the cited U.S. launch prices, the A57 starts at $549.99 and the 256GB Fold8 is listed at $1,899.99—a $1,350 difference. These are launch-price references, not verified October 2026 sale prices.
Galaxy A57 vs Z Fold 8: price and availability
Samsung announced a U.S. starting price of $549.99 for the Galaxy A57 5G, with U.S. availability scheduled to begin April 9, 2026. Tom’s Guide lists the 256GB Galaxy Z Fold8 at $1,899.99 in the U.S. The difference is $1,350, and the Fold8 costs about 3.45 times the A57’s starting price. The configurations are not storage-matched, and prices or promotions may have changed. Samsung Newsroom US and Tom’s Guide are the sources for those figures.
Tom’s Guide also lists Fold8 prices of £1,699 in the U.K. and AU$2,699 in Australia for 256GB; 512GB is listed at $2,099.99/£1,869/AU$2,999, and 1TB at $2,499.99/£2,209/AU$3,599. These are market-specific listings from that publication, not figures to convert or compare directly across currencies. Samsung Mobile Press announced sales beginning August 7, 2026, in select markets before global expansion. Check local availability, carrier or regional model details, and current prices before buying. Samsung Mobile Press
Specifications at a glance
| Specification | Galaxy A57 5G | Galaxy Z Fold8 |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. price cited | $549.99 starting price (Samsung) | $1,899.99 for 256GB (Tom’s Guide) |
| Design and displays | Conventional smartphone with Super AMOLED+ display and Vision Booster (Samsung) | Foldable with 5.5-inch cover display and 7.6-inch main display; Samsung describes the unfolded screen as 4:3 and the cover screen as 10:16 |
| Processor | Samsung describes upgraded CPU, GPU, and NPU; the cited information does not establish a region-specific chip name | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Mobile Platform for Galaxy |
| Rear cameras | 50MP wide, 8MP ultra-wide, and 5MP macro | Dual 50MP wide and ultra-wide cameras; no dedicated telephoto camera according to Tom’s Guide |
| Front cameras | 12MP | 10MP cover and 10MP main-screen cameras |
| Battery capacity | 5,000mAh typical | 4,800mAh typical; 4,660mAh rated |
| Water and dust rating | IP68 | IP48 |
| Software details established here | Up to six generations of Android OS/One UI upgrades and up to six years of security updates | Android 17 and One UI 9 listed in Samsung’s specification table; no support duration established here |
| Charging | Super Fast Charging 2.0; Samsung says up to 60% in around 30 minutes | Up to 45W wired and 20W wireless; Samsung says the 45W adapter is sold separately |
Specifications are drawn from Samsung’s A57 specifications, Samsung’s U.S. announcement, Samsung’s Fold8 specifications, Samsung Mobile Press, and Tom’s Guide’s Fold8 review. Regional configurations can differ.
#1 Best Overall
- PRIVACY DISPLAY: Automatically hide your screen from those beside you. The built-in privacy display can be preset¹ to turn on when receiving notifications, typing passwords, or using specific apps
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist² with Galaxy AI.³ Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- NIGHTS, CAPTURED CLEARLY: From gigs to city lights, record and capture moments after dark with clarity using Nightography so your photos and videos stay crisp and clear on your Samsung Galaxy
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile phone, whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more⁴
- HELP THAT KEEPS UP: Stay in the moment while Now Nudge with Galaxy AI helps you respond faster and stay organized with smart suggestions⁵ that appear exactly when you need them on your phone
Which screen and design fit your use?
Galaxy A57: familiar, one-screen phone
The A57 has a conventional smartphone shape and a Super AMOLED+ display. It is the straightforward option if you want a single-screen phone rather than a device that unfolds into a larger workspace.
Galaxy Z Fold8: phone that opens into a larger display
The Fold8 has a 5.5-inch cover display for use while closed and a 7.6-inch main display when open. The larger canvas may suit reading, video, games, or multitasking; the cover screen supports ordinary phone use without unfolding. Consider whether the folded size and handling feel comfortable for your daily routine. Samsung specifies the main display’s 4:3 unfolded orientation and the cover display’s 10:16 ratio.
Rank #2
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Camera differences: more lenses versus a foldable flagship
The A57’s rear setup gives you three listed camera types: wide, ultra-wide, and macro. The Fold8 has two rear cameras, both 50MP, for wide and ultra-wide shots. Tom’s Guide notes that it has no dedicated telephoto camera. A higher megapixel count does not by itself establish which phone takes better photos; camera performance cannot be determined from resolution alone.
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Battery capacity and battery-life claims
Samsung lists a 5,000mAh typical battery for the A57 and says it can last up to two days. For the Fold8, Samsung lists 4,800mAh typical capacity (4,660mAh rated) and claims up to 26 hours of continuous video playback under its stated internal test conditions. Those manufacturer claims use different descriptions and are not equivalent endurance tests. In a separate test, Tom’s Guide measured 12 hours 19 minutes for Fold8 web surfing over 5G; that is the publication’s result under its test method, not a guarantee of everyday runtime.
Rank #3
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist¹ with Galaxy AI.² Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more³
- FAST. POWERFUL. AI-READY: Power through your day with AI-accelerated performance from our fastest, smoothest and most powerful Galaxy processor yet, built to keep up with everything you do
- IMMENSELY IMMERSIVE: No matter where you are or what you’re watching, your favorite videos and more come to life with the vibrant display on Galaxy S26
- FIT EVERYONE IN THE SHOT: Group selfies are easier on your Samsung phone with a wider front camera⁴ that captures more of the scene, so no one gets left out of the moment
Durability, software support, and charging
Water and dust resistance
Samsung lists IP68 for the A57 and IP48 for the Fold8. Samsung’s Fold8 footnote describes freshwater submersion testing and cautions against beach or pool use. IP48 should not be read as the same dust-resistance level as IP68. Treat care of the Fold8’s foldable screen as part of the ownership decision, without assuming a failure rate from the rating alone.
Software support
Samsung promises the A57 up to six generations of Android OS/One UI upgrades and up to six years of security updates. Samsung’s cited Fold8 specification table lists Android 17 and One UI 9, but the sources cited here do not establish a Fold8 support-duration promise.
Rank #4
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Charging
The A57 supports Super Fast Charging 2.0; Samsung says it can reach up to 60% in around 30 minutes. The Fold8 supports up to 45W wired and 20W wireless charging. Samsung says the 45W adapter is sold separately, so check local adapter and cable compatibility if you need one.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with other CDMA carriers, and it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
- Camera: 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro). Battery: 5000 mAh, non-removable | A power adapter is NOT included.
Which Samsung phone should you buy?
- Choose the A57 if: you want the lower starting price, a conventional phone design, a three-camera rear array including macro, IP68, and Samsung’s stated A57 software-support commitment.
- Consider the Fold8 if: you will make regular use of its 7.6-inch unfolded display, want a phone-and-larger-screen format, or prioritize its listed flagship processor and dual 50MP rear cameras enough to justify the much higher cited price.
- Compare your local offer carefully: the prices cited come from different sources and configurations. Current discounts, storage, carrier versions, and market availability can change the practical price gap.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
