Samsung’s latest foldables change the battery story: the Galaxy Z Fold8 and Fold8 Ultra increase capacity while remaining no heavier than the Fold7, and the Galaxy Z Flip8 keeps the Flip7’s battery and playback rating in a thinner, lighter body. All three models use silicon‑carbon batteries and include faster wired and wireless charging options on the Fold8 models.
Galaxy Z Fold8 battery gains and charging
The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra carries a 5,000 mAh battery (typical value; rated minimum 4,854 mAh) and is rated for up to 27 hours of video playback. The Galaxy Z Fold8 uses a 4,800 mAh battery (typical value; rated minimum 4,660 mAh) and is rated for up to 26 hours of video playback. Both Fold8 models support up to 45W wired charging (45W charger sold separately) and up to 20W wireless charging (20W wireless charger sold separately). Despite the larger batteries, the Fold8 Ultra weighs the same as the Fold7 at 215 g and is slightly thinner when unfolded (4.1 mm versus 4.2 mm), while the Fold8 weighs 201 g — 14 g less than the Fold7.
For quick top-ups, Samsung estimates 30 minutes of charging can take the Fold8 Ultra to about 67% and the Fold8 to about 63%.
Galaxy Z Flip8: same capacity, thinner and lighter
The Galaxy Z Flip8 retains the Flip7’s 4,300 mAh battery (typical value; rated minimum 4,174 mAh) and the same rated video playback of up to 31 hours, while becoming thinner and lighter. Folded thickness falls from 13.7 mm on the Flip7 to 13.1 mm on the Flip8, and weight drops from 188 g to 180 g. The Flip8 supports up to 25W wired charging (25W charger sold separately) and up to 15W wireless charging (15W wireless charger sold separately). Samsung estimates 30 minutes of charging will bring the Flip8 to around 55%.
How battery life has evolved across generations
Galaxy Z Fold history: the Fold4, Fold5, Fold6 and Fold7 all used 4,400 mAh batteries, yet rated video playback rose from up to 20 hours on the Fold4 to up to 24 hours on the Fold7. The Fold8 and Fold8 Ultra increase capacity to 4,800 mAh and 5,000 mAh respectively, with playback ratings rising to 26 and 27 hours.
Galaxy Z Flip history: the Flip4 and Flip5 had 3,700 mAh batteries (19 and 20 hours of rated playback). Capacity rose to 4,000 mAh with the Flip6 (up to 23 hours), then to 4,300 mAh with the Flip7 (up to 31 hours). The Flip8 keeps the 4,300 mAh capacity and 31‑hour playback rating.
The most notable single jump in the Flip line came between the Flip6 and Flip7, when capacity increased by 300 mAh (4,000 to 4,300 mAh) while rated video playback rose from 23 to 31 hours.
How Samsung measures video playback and what the figures mean
Samsung’s rated video playback is measured by continuously playing a 720p video file stored on the device’s main screen, with Bluetooth earphones connected, LTE enabled and the phone at default settings. The figure provides a consistent way to compare generations, but actual battery life will vary with screen brightness, signal strength, apps used and time spent on the larger folded display.
Battery chemistry, design and practical trade-offs
All three phones use silicon‑carbon batteries; Samsung highlights this chemistry as an enabler for fitting larger or equally large batteries into designs that are thinner or not heavier than previous models. Examples from the new line include the Fold8 Ultra — 5,000 mAh while matching the Fold7’s 215 g weight and becoming slightly thinner when unfolded — and the Fold8, at 201 g the company describes as the world’s lightest book‑style foldable phone while carrying 400 mAh more battery than the Fold7. The Flip8 preserves the Flip7’s battery capacity and playback rating while reducing folded thickness and weight.
Wireless PowerShare is available on all three models, allowing the phone to charge compatible accessories from its back.
Overall, the Fold8 and Fold8 Ultra combine larger batteries and faster 45W wired charging with unchanged or reduced weight versus the Fold7, while the Flip8 keeps the previous generation’s battery and playback performance in a thinner, lighter package.
