Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra Wins Camera Test Despite Telephoto Weakness

Samsung's latest foldable maintains its premium crown in overall imaging, but a new challenger has exposed a critical weakness in its zoom capabilities. In a side-by-side camera comparison conducted at a Lego event, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra emerged as the overall winner over the Motorola Razr Fold, though not without some surprising setbacks.

Android Police journalist Andy Boxall put both 2026 flagships through their paces, focusing heavily on their shared 3x optical zoom capabilities. The results were mixed: the Motorola Razr Fold significantly outperformed the Samsung in indoor 3x telephoto shots, delivering sharper focus, more detail, and more vibrant colors. However, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra reclaimed the lead in outdoor 3x zoom performance and dominated in main camera results, offering superior white balance and exposure that resulted in greater overall image realism.

The Hardware Gap

The performance disparity is particularly striking when looking at the hardware specifications. The Motorola Razr Fold, priced at $1,900, utilizes a 50MP periscope telephoto lens for its 3x zoom, alongside a 50MP main (f/1.6) and 50MP wide sensor. In contrast, the more expensive Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra—which carries a $2,100 price tag—pairs a massive 200MP main sensor (f/1.7) and a 50MP wide lens with a modest 10MP telephoto lens for its 3x optical zoom.

Why the Results Matter

These findings highlight a paradoxical gap in the high-end foldable market. Despite being $200 cheaper, the Razr Fold's higher-resolution telephoto sensor allows it to beat the premium Samsung device in specific indoor scenarios. As Andy Boxall noted, the Motorola "has the Z Fold 8 Ultra's telephoto zoom beaten indoors," illustrating a clear case where raw sensor resolution provides a tangible advantage in challenging light.

However, Samsung's victory in the overall test suggests that image processing and main sensor quality still carry more weight for the average user than specialized zoom performance. The Z Fold 8 Ultra's ability to maintain realism in outdoor lighting and its superior primary sensor performance keep it ahead in versatility, even if its telephoto hardware feels dated by comparison.

Looking Ahead

While the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra takes the trophy, the test serves as a warning for Samsung regarding its zoom hardware. Boxall emphasized that the results illustrate how the 10MP 3x telephoto lens underperforms relative to the rest of the device's premium kit. As competitors like Motorola integrate higher-resolution periscope lenses into their foldables, Samsung may need to upgrade its telephoto specs to justify its higher price point in future iterations.