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The Galaxy S25 Edge is the thinner, lighter conventional phone; the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra is a heavier foldable that opens into a much larger screen and adds a dedicated 3× telephoto camera. In a US storefront snapshot dated October 7, 2026, their 256GB list prices were $1,099.99 and $2,099.99—a $1,000 difference. Choose between them first by deciding whether portability or an expansive foldable display matters more.
How the designs and displays compare
The S25 Edge is a conventional smartphone with a 6.7-inch display. The Z Fold8 Ultra has a 6.5-inch cover display for use while closed and an 8.0-inch main display when unfolded. Samsung lists both displays at up to 120 Hz. The Fold8 Ultra’s inner screen provides a larger workspace, while the S25 Edge avoids the extra bulk of a folding design.
| Specification | Galaxy S25 Edge | Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Form | Conventional smartphone | Book-style foldable with cover and inner screens |
| Display | 6.7-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 1–120 Hz | 8.0-inch QXGA+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X main display, 1–120 Hz |
| Cover display | None | 6.5-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 1–120 Hz |
| Dimensions | 158.2 × 75.6 × 5.8 mm | Folded: 158.4 × 72.8 × 8.9 mm; unfolded: 143.2 × 158.4 × 4.1 mm |
| Weight | 163 g | 215 g |
The Fold8 Ultra weighs 52 g more. Its 4.1 mm unfolded thickness is a measurement that excludes the main-screen frame, so it is not directly comparable to the S25 Edge’s 5.8 mm closed-body thickness. Samsung identifies these figures in its S25 Edge specifications and Fold8 Ultra specifications.
Camera hardware: the Fold8 Ultra adds optical zoom
| Camera | Galaxy S25 Edge | Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Rear wide | 200 MP with optical image stabilization (OIS) | 200 MP with OIS |
| Rear ultra-wide | 12 MP with autofocus | 50 MP |
| Rear telephoto | None listed | 10 MP with 3× optical zoom |
| Front/cover cameras | 12 MP front | 10 MP cover camera and 10 MP main-screen camera |
The Fold8 Ultra offers a dedicated telephoto camera with 3× optical zoom; Samsung lists no telephoto lens for the S25 Edge. The S25 Edge still has a high-resolution main camera and an ultra-wide camera. Megapixel counts alone do not establish which phone takes better photos, and these specifications do not substitute for a direct image-quality test.
#1 Best Overall
- 6.7" LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, 480Hz PWM, HDR10+, 3120x1440px Quad HD+, Android 15, up to 7 major Android upgrades, One UI 7
- 256GB, 12GB RAM, No SD Card Slot, Qualcomm SM8750-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm), Octa-Core, Adreno 830 GPU, 3900mAh Battery
- Rear Camera: 200MP, f/1.7, wide + 12MP, f/2.2, ultrawide, Digital Zoom up to 10x, Front Camera: 12MP, f/2.2, wide
- 2G: 850/900/1800/1900, 3G: UMTS 1(2100)/2(1900)/4(AWS)/5(850)/8(900), 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/14/18/19/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/39/40/41/48/66/71, 5G: 1/2/5/7/25/28/41/66/71/77/78/257/258/260/261 - Nano-SIM + eSIM
- US Model – Global Connectivity – Compatible with Most GSM Carriers like T-Mobile, AT&T, MetroPCS, etc. Will Also work with CDMA Carriers Such as Verizon, Sprint.
Battery and charging differences
Samsung lists a typical 3,900 mAh battery for the S25 Edge and a typical 5,000 mAh dual battery for the Fold8 Ultra. Typical capacity is not a runtime measurement: it does not establish how many hours either phone will last in a particular person’s use.
| Charging specification | Galaxy S25 Edge | Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Wired charging claim | Up to 55% in around 30 minutes with a separate 25W adapter | Up to 67% in around 30 minutes with a separate 45W adapter and 3A USB-C cable |
| Wireless charging | Fast wireless charging; Wireless PowerShare | 20W fast wireless charging; Wireless PowerShare |
The wired-charge percentages are Samsung’s internal laboratory claims under its stated test conditions, not independent comparative results. Both required adapters are sold separately according to Samsung’s specifications.
Rank #2
- 6.7" LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, 480Hz PWM, HDR10+, 3120x1440px Quad HD+, Android 15, up to 7 major Android upgrades, One UI 7
- 256GB, 12GB RAM, No SD Card Slot, Qualcomm SM8750-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm), Octa-Core, Adreno 830 GPU, 3900mAh Battery
- Rear Camera: 200MP, f/1.7, wide + 12MP, f/2.2, ultrawide, Digital Zoom up to 10x, Front Camera: 12MP, f/2.2, wide
- 2G: 850/900/1800/1900, 3G: UMTS 1(2100)/2(1900)/4(AWS)/5(850)/8(900), 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/14/18/19/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/39/40/41/48/66/71, 5G: 1/2/5/7/25/28/41/66/71/77/78/257/258/260/261 - Nano-SIM + eSIM
- US Model – Global Connectivity – Compatible with Most GSM Carriers like T-Mobile, AT&T, MetroPCS, etc. Will Also work with CDMA Carriers Such as Verizon, Straight Talk.
Durability, storage, software, and connectivity
| Specification | Galaxy S25 Edge | Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Water resistance rating | IP68 | IP48 |
| Memory and storage | 12 GB RAM; 256 GB or 512 GB | 12 GB RAM with 256 GB or 512 GB; 16 GB RAM with 1 TB |
| Chip platform | Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform for Galaxy | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Mobile Platform for Galaxy |
| Software at announcement/specification publication | Android 15, One UI 7 | Android 17, One UI 9 |
| Listed connectivity | 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 | 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0 |
IP68 and IP48 are different ratings; do not treat them as interchangeable guarantees of protection. Check Samsung’s local product information for the applicable rating qualifications. Samsung also notes that configurations and features may vary by market. Confirm local network bands, carrier support, and storage availability before buying.
US price difference for matching 256GB models
Samsung’s US storefront snapshot accessed October 7, 2026, listed the 256GB Fold8 Ultra at $2,099.99 and a promotional price of $1,799.99. A Samsung US search result showed the 256GB S25 Edge at $1,099.99, but its store page could not be fetched. Using the two list-price figures, the Fold8 Ultra is $1,000 more. This is a dated US comparison, not a guaranteed current price or a global MSRP.
Rank #3
- SUPER SLIM. SUPER LIGHT: Galaxy S25 Edge is surprisingly light and our slimmest S Series phone yet. You’ll want to show off this sleek, super-slim design that slips easily into your pocket or bag without bulking things up.
- OUR POWERFUL 200MP CAMERA ON OUR SLIMMEST S SERIES PHONE: Capture every memory in stunning clarity with our highest-resolution camera on a Galaxy phone. Galaxy S25 Edge features a 200MP camera to preserve your memories with professional-level detail.
- MORE POWER TO YOU: Reimagine what’s possible with Galaxy S25 Edge, featuring our most powerful processor yet. Effortlessly translate your calls, slow down a video or edit your photos without skipping a beat
- NOT SLIM ON TOUGHNESS: Don’t let the sleek form of Galaxy S25 Edge fool you — this phone is tough too. With a titanium build and a Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 face, S25 Edge is as strong as it is stylish
- VIRTUAL ASSISTANT, PERSONAL HELP: Streamline your day with an assistant that gets you. Ask it to Google search for a pet-friendly vegan restaurant nearby and text it to your friend — your Galaxy S25 Edge handles multiple tasks with a single ask.²
| Storage | Galaxy S25 Edge US price shown | Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra US list price | Fold8 Ultra promotion shown |
|---|---|---|---|
| 256 GB | $1,099.99, shown in Samsung US search result; page fetch failed | $2,099.99 | $1,799.99 |
| 512 GB | $1,299.99, shown in Samsung US search result; page fetch failed | $2,299.99 | $1,999.99 |
| 1 TB | Not stated in the cited Samsung US search result | $2,699.99 | $2,399.99 |
Prices and promotions can change, and carrier offers, color choices, stock, and delivery vary. Check the live listings for the exact model and storage configuration before purchase: Samsung US Fold8 Ultra storefront and Samsung US S25 Edge listing.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which phone fits your priorities?
- Choose the S25 Edge if portability comes first. It weighs 163 g and has a 5.8 mm listed thickness, with a conventional 6.7-inch screen.
- Choose the Z Fold8 Ultra if you want a larger unfolded workspace. Its 8.0-inch inner display is substantially larger than the S25 Edge’s display, while its 6.5-inch cover screen remains available when folded.
- Favor the Fold8 Ultra for camera versatility on paper. Its rear setup adds a 3× optical telephoto lens; specifications alone do not establish overall image quality.
- Compare exact live prices and storage. The cited $1,000 gap is the US 256GB list-price difference in a snapshot, not necessarily the gap after current discounts.
Samsung announced the Fold8 series on July 22, 2026. Samsung Newsroom India reported sales beginning August 7 in select markets, with rollout across 106 markets; availability and configurations depend on location. See Samsung Newsroom India’s launch and availability notice.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- 6.7" LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, 480Hz PWM, HDR10+, 3120x1440px Quad HD+, Android 15, up to 7 major Android upgrades, One UI 7
- 512GB, 12GB RAM, No SD Card Slot, Qualcomm SM8750-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm), Octa-Core, Adreno 830 GPU, 3900mAh Battery
- Rear Camera: 200MP, f/1.7, wide + 12MP, f/2.2, ultrawide, Digital Zoom up to 10x, Front Camera: 12MP, f/2.2, wide
- 2G: 850/900/1800/1900, 3G: UMTS 1(2100)/2(1900)/4(AWS)/5(850)/8(900), 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/14/18/19/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/39/40/41/48/66/71, 5G: 1/2/5/7/25/28/41/66/71/77/78/257/258/260/261 - Nano-SIM + eSIM
- US Model – Global Connectivity – Compatible with Most GSM Carriers like T-Mobile, AT&T, MetroPCS, etc. Will Also work with CDMA Carriers Such as Verizon, Straight Talk.
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.
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