The final couple of months have seen the arrival of some critically high-profile book-style foldable units, with manufacturers like Samsung, Motorola and Honor trying to set the usual earlier than the approaching launch of Apple’s first foldable, which some count on shall be referred to as iPhone Ultra.
I’ve acquired the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, the Honor Magic V6 and the Motorola Razr Fold lined up for testing — three of essentially the most premium foldables of the 12 months, every aiming for a similar highlight. All of them promise massive screens, massive versatility and large leaps ahead, however when you begin residing with them, the variations come into focus quick.
I’m placing them by way of the identical checks: design, cameras, battery life, multitasking and on a regular basis use. By the top, one in all these foldables will stand out because the clear winner — not due to hype, however as a result of it genuinely earns the spot.
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Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs Razr Fold vs Magic V6: Design
By way of design, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 feels prefer it’s lastly cracked the code on what a guide‑type foldable ought to be, although its brief‑and‑huge design received’t be for everybody. Closed, it measures 153.5 x 68.1 x 12.1mm, which makes it noticeably shorter than most slab telephones however nonetheless principally as huge as a Galaxy S26 Extremely. That width offers the duvet display a extra pure really feel for typing and scrolling, even when the squat form takes a day or two to get used to.
At 201g, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is the lightest in its class, and whenever you pair that with sharp, squared‑off corners, it makes the gadget really feel considerably extra trendy than the opposite two foldables on this face‑off. As for its hinge, it opens with a clear, assured movement and unfolds virtually completely flat. On prime of that, Samsung’s titanium plate and gapless micro‑perforated show stack have drastically minimised the crease — you’ll be able to nonetheless really feel it for those who go in search of it, however visually it’s so faint that you simply overlook it’s there inside minutes. Mixed with a brand new anti‑reflective coating, the Z Fold 8’s fundamental show appears to be like extra like a single sheet of glass than a foldable display. For me, it’s the primary time a foldable has felt this seamless.
Motorola’s Razr Fold takes a really totally different path, leaning into toughness slightly than class. It’s noticeably heavier at 243 grams, and you’re feeling that further weight the second you decide it up, however it’s the type of heft that makes the cellphone appear extra sturdy. It boasts a titanium interior plate, chrome steel hinge and Gorilla Glass Ceramic 3, all contributing to a chassis that feels bolstered in a approach most foldables don’t. Even when opened, the Razr Fold stays impressively skinny at 4.55mm, although its crease is way extra noticeable than on the Galaxy Z Fold 8.
The Razr Fold’s hinge doesn’t have the snappy, virtually playful movement of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 — it’s firmer, extra deliberate, constructed to carry its place slightly than glide. And whereas the Razr Fold technically shares the identical IP48/IP49 safety class as Samsung, its general development feels extra rugged and fewer fragile. It’s not essentially the most fashionable or pocket‑pleasant design, however it’s the one that offers you essentially the most confidence that it’ll survive getting used like a traditional cellphone slightly than a fragile gadget.
In the meantime, Honor’s Magic V6 sits someplace within the center. It’s clear, understated, and really skinny — 8.75mm closed, 4mm open — and whereas the massive spherical digicam array retains it from wanting as modern as Samsung’s gadget, it nonetheless feels extra balanced than the Razr Fold. Its “Tremendous Metal” hinge is properly engineered, and its use of anti‑reflective silicon nitride layers offers each shows a gentle, matte look that’s straightforward on the eyes. The crease is 44% shallower than its predecessor, the Magic V5, although it is nonetheless pretty noticeable, each in feel and look. It is also between its rivals when it comes to heft, weighing in at 219 grams.
By way of visible attraction, the white Magic V6 I am testing is clear however a little bit medical — particularly in comparison with the crimson vegan leather-based model proven in our palms‑on overview. In different phrases, it’s modern, but in addition a little bit boring. That stated, there’s one ingredient of the Magic V6’s design that genuinely stands above its rivals: it’s the one foldable on this face-off that gives stylus assist. Higher nonetheless, it reportedly works on each the interior and outer shows. I wasn’t capable of check this myself, however it’s positive to be a significant promoting level for anybody nonetheless annoyed that Samsung eliminated the characteristic from its Fold lineup. It additionally boasts an IP68/IP69 mud and water resistance ranking, placing it forward of its rivals in that regard.
Line all three up, and the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is the one one which nails each sensible design metric directly: thinness, weight, hinge really feel, crease discount and pocketability. It’s the foldable that feels essentially the most polished and essentially the most easy to dwell with day‑to‑day — not as a result of it’s flashy, however as a result of it lastly behaves like a traditional cellphone whenever you need it to, and a giant display whenever you want it.
WINNER: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8
Runner-up: Honor Magic V6
Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs Razr Fold vs Magic V6: Cameras
Given that every one three foldables are premium units, it’s not shocking that they will all take good photographs. That stated, one persistently delivered nice snaps in my testing. Samsung performs it secure, Motorola pushes forward in methods I didn’t count on, and Honor lands someplace within the center — however which one takes the images crown?
|
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 |
Motorola Razr Fold |
Honor Magic V6 |
|
|
Primary Digital camera |
50MP (f/1.8) |
50MP (f/1.6) |
50MP (f/1.6) |
|
Ultrawide Digital camera |
50MP (f/1.9) |
50MP (f/2.0) |
50MP (f/2.2) |
|
Telephoto Cameras |
N/A |
50MP (f/2.4)(periscope telephoto) |
64MP (f/2.5) (periscope telephoto) |
|
Zoom Vary |
As much as 10x Digital Zoom |
As much as 100x Tremendous Zoom professional, 3x Optical Zoom |
As much as 100x Digital Zoom, 3x Optical Zoom |
|
Selfie Cameras |
Cowl: 10MP (f/2.2) Internal: 10 MP (f/2.2) |
Cowl: 20MP (f/2.4) Internal: 32MP (f/2.4) |
Cowl: 20MP (f/2.2) |
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 delivers a digicam expertise that feels acquainted however polished. The 2 50MP rear cameras produce wealthy colours and glorious dynamic vary, and the upgraded ultrawide is noticeably sharper than final 12 months’s mannequin. Low‑mild photographs additionally come out brighter and sharper, with higher management over noise and blown‑out highlights. The one actual disadvantage is zoom — and not using a telephoto lens, element drops off rapidly when you push previous 4x, making the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Extremely a greater choice for individuals who worth that extra.
The Motorola Razr Fold is the one which genuinely stunned me. Its triple‑50MP setup produces crisp, vibrant photographs with way more texture than I anticipated, and the 3x optical telephoto immediately offers it an edge over the opposite two. Motorola’s Tremendous Zoom Professional additionally works higher than I anticipated, protecting lengthy‑vary pictures surprisingly clear. Low‑mild efficiency is powerful as properly, with balanced exposures that keep away from Samsung’s occasional brightness push.
Honor’s Magic V6 sits someplace between the opposite two. The {hardware} is powerful — a 50MP fundamental, 50MP ultrawide and a 64MP periscope telephoto with 3x optical zoom — and Honor’s AiMAGE Colour Engine usually produces pure, correct colors. The telephoto lens offers the V6 first rate attain, however the tuning doesn’t really feel fairly as assured as Samsung’s or as punchy as Motorola’s. I additionally seen a little bit of synthetic “sweetening” in portrait pictures, with pores and skin smoothing that’s extra aggressive than I’d favor. It’s a succesful digicam system, simply not the standout characteristic of the cellphone.
Throughout all three, the Razr Fold nonetheless comes out on prime. Honor’s 64MP periscope telephoto offers the Magic V6 actual attain, and Samsung stays robust in dynamic vary and low‑mild, however Motorola’s outcomes are persistently sharper, cleaner and extra assured throughout each state of affairs. It’s the foldable I’d attain for if cameras matter most.
WINNER: Motorola Razr Fold
Runner-up: Honor Magic V6
Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs Razr Fold vs Magic V6: Battery life
Battery life is among the largest sensible variations amongst these three foldables. All of them can comfortably final a day, however how a lot they’ve left at bedtime varies. Samsung lastly feels dependable, Motorola pushes endurance additional than anybody else, and Honor’s big battery delivers surprisingly robust leads to my very own testing.
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 is essentially the most balanced of the bunch. The transfer to a 4,800 mAh silicon‑carbon battery pays off: in Tom’s Information’s 5G internet‑browsing check, it lasted 12 hours and 19 minutes, a strong soar from the Fold 7’s 10:44. In day‑to‑day use, I might get by way of a full day of e-mail, photographs and music and nonetheless find yourself across the 50% mark. Charging is quicker too — 70% in half-hour — and in contrast to the others, you’ll be able to hit these speeds with any customary fast-charging adapter you’ll discover on Amazon, not a proprietary brick.
The Motorola Razr Fold is the endurance monster. Motorola suits a 6,000 mAh battery inside a physique that doesn’t really feel any heavier, and the outcomes are wild. Tom’s Information measured 14 hours and 44 minutes, the most effective battery lifetime of any guide‑type foldable they’ve examined. Charging is equally spectacular: 42% in quarter-hour and 75% in half-hour with 80W wired charging — however you’ll want both Motorola’s 80W TurboPower charger, which isn’t included within the field in Australia and which I don’t have entry to, or an excellent quick charging adapter (100w or above, in keeping with on-line customers) to achieve these headline numbers.
Honor’s Magic V6 goes even greater in capability with a 6,600 mAh silicon‑carbon battery, the biggest of any foldable proper now. Tom’s Information hasn’t run its full battery check but, however in my very own PCMark Work 3.0 battery check, the V6 lasted slightly below 14 hours, placing it proper in keeping with Motorola’s glorious endurance. It additionally helps 80W wired and 66W wi-fi charging, although you’ll want Honor‑permitted chargers to achieve these peak speeds. It’s a genuinely lengthy‑lasting gadget, and the massive battery pays off.
Throughout all three, the Razr Fold nonetheless feels just like the endurance king because of its mixture of runtime and charging pace. Samsung delivers reliable all‑day life with sooner prime‑ups on customary chargers, and Honor’s huge battery offers it spectacular stamina, however the Razr Fold is the foldable I’d belief most once I’m away from a charger.
WINNER: Motorola Razr Fold
Runner-up: Honor Magic V6
Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs Razr Fold vs Magic V6: Multitasking
On the subject of multitasking, what actually separates these three foldables isn’t the scale of their screens — it’s the software program expertise. Samsung is the one one which feels prefer it’s been iterating on multitasking for years, and the Z Fold 8 is a testomony to that. The second you open two apps aspect‑by‑aspect, the whole lot snaps into place with a type of smoothness that the Razr Fold and Magic V6 don’t fairly match.
On the Galaxy Z Fold 8, multitasking feels pure. The broader 4:3 interior show offers apps room to breathe, however it’s Samsung’s software program polish that makes the distinction. Dragging an app into break up‑display is on the spot, resizing home windows is clean, and the brand new AI‑powered ideas — just like the Calendar icon that seems when somebody messages you about plans — make it really feel just like the cellphone is actually serving to you get work achieved. It’s the one foldable right here the place working a number of apps directly looks like a core a part of the expertise slightly than a characteristic buried in menus. Admittedly, the added top of the Z Fold 8 Extremely makes it higher suited to working three or extra apps directly, however for 2 apps aspect‑by‑aspect, the Z Fold 8 is good.
Motorola’s Razr Fold is quick, and the Snapdragon 8 Elite retains the whole lot responsive, however the multitasking instruments aren’t as refined. Break up‑display works and is completely usable, however the narrower structure and less complicated window controls make it really feel extra like a cellphone doing its finest slightly than a tool designed round productiveness. It’s nice for fast aspect‑by‑aspect duties, however it doesn’t encourage deeper multitasking the best way Samsung does.
Honor’s Magic V6 offers you loads of display actual property, and its floating home windows and break up‑display choices are succesful, however the software program doesn’t really feel as cohesive. Some apps don’t adapt as cleanly, and the workflow lacks the small high quality‑of‑life touches that make Samsung’s strategy really feel easy. It’s highly effective, however not as intuitive.
Throughout all three, Samsung is the multitasking standout. Motorola is quick however much less versatile, and Honor has the area however not the identical polish. If you need a foldable that genuinely feels constructed for productiveness, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is the one which carried out finest for me.
WINNER: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8
Runner-up: Motorola Razr Fold
Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs Razr Fold vs Magic V6: On a regular basis use
Of the three foldables examined right here, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 felt essentially the most pure for me to make use of on a day-to-day foundation. It boasts a stage of refinement that may solely come from a number of generations of folding units. The outer show is lastly huge sufficient that you would be able to keep there for many duties with out feeling cramped, and the anti‑reflective coating makes each screens simpler to view open air. At this stage, you possibly can say that Samsung’s strategy to foldables feels predictable, however that’s not a foul factor — it simply signifies that the training curve that comes with utilizing a foldable is a factor of the previous. Apps usually behave the way you count on them to, gestures really feel pure, and the entire gadget has a rock-solid stage of polish that makes it really feel like a traditional cellphone that occurs to unfold into one thing greater. And although I resisted its new dimensions at first, the Z Fold 8’s passport-like form and slim design place the gadget in an ideal candy spot for each pocketability and unfolded use.
The Razr Fold is the subsequent finest in on a regular basis use. It’s mild, straightforward to hold, and Motorola’s outer show is genuinely useful for fast interactions. The software program stays out of your approach, and the cellphone feels relaxed in a approach Samsung’s extra structured strategy doesn’t. It’s not fairly as polished — from time to time an app received’t scale completely, or a structure will really feel a bit tight — however more often than not it’s a pleasure to make use of.
Honor’s Magic V6 is a special story. The {hardware} is nice, however the software program typically feels prefer it’s borrowing concepts from iOS, which may make on a regular basis use really feel a little bit unfamiliar for those who’ve spent years inside Android’s typical rhythms. Some gestures behave in a different way than you count on, sure menus have that Apple‑type rounded translucency, and some system animations lean extra towards wanting fairly than serving to you get someplace sooner. None of that is inherently flawed — it’s only a totally different strategy — however it may well really feel barely awkward till you regulate.
OVERALL WINNER: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8
Runner-up: Motorola Razr Fold
Of the three, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 feels essentially the most pure in on a regular basis use. The Razr Fold is a powerful second because of its nice digicam system and pleasant, sturdy design, whereas the Magic V6 is highly effective however feels higher suited to followers of Apple’s software program. If you need a foldable that behaves like an awesome cellphone first and a giant display second, Samsung is the one which will get it proper.
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