Apple iPhone 17 vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra

Our Verdict: Apple iPhone 17 and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra suit different priorities. The Samsung is stronger for display quality, helped by a larger 8-inch screen, its LTPO AMOLED 2X panel, and a higher-resolution 200MP rear camera, while the iPhone is better suited to a sharper 458 PPI display, its LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED panel, and a lighter 177g body. A bigger mAh figure is useful context, but real battery life still depends on software and chipset efficiency. Software may decide it too: the iPhone keeps you in Apple's iOS ecosystem, while the Samsung is the Android choice. Choose the Samsung for display quality; choose the iPhone if portability matters more.

Over a full contract, the iPhone 17 works out around £785 all-in, about £770 less than the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra.

Expert Rating
4.5
12 reviews
4.2
6 reviews
Screen
6.3" 8"
Display
LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2
Resolution
1206 x 2622 1968 x 2184
Pixels Per Inch
458 367
Rear Camera
48 Megapixels 200 Megapixels
Front Camera
18 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A19 Pro Qualcomm SM8850-1-AD Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm)
Battery
3,692 mAh 5,000 mAh
Storage
256GB, 512GB 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
OS
Apple iOS Android
SIM Type
nano-SIM and e-SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity
Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7
Bluetooth
6.0, A2DP, LE 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Dimensions
149.6 x 71.5 x 7.95 mm 161.4 x 123.9 x 4.9 mm
Weight
177 grams 215 grams
Water Resistance
IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP48 dust and water resistant (dust > 1mm; immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Contracts
£29.99/mo (£39.00 upfront) £44.99/mo (£449.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£619.00 £1846.99
Apple iPhone 17 Apple iPhone 17 Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra
Expert Rating 4.5
12 reviews
4.2
6 reviews
Screen 6.3" 8"
Display LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2
Resolution 1206 x 2622 1968 x 2184
Pixels Per Inch 458 367
Rear Camera 48 Megapixels 200 Megapixels
Front Camera 18 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A19 Pro Qualcomm SM8850-1-AD Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm)
Battery 3,692 mAh 5,000 mAh
Storage 256GB, 512GB 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
OS Apple iOS Android
SIM Type nano-SIM and e-SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7
Bluetooth 6.0, A2DP, LE 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Dimensions 149.6 x 71.5 x 7.95 mm 161.4 x 123.9 x 4.9 mm
Weight 177 grams 215 grams
Water Resistance IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP48 dust and water resistant (dust > 1mm; immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Contracts £29.99/mo
£39.00 upfront
£44.99/mo
£449.00 upfront
SIM-free £619.00 £1846.99
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Apple iPhone 17
Apple iPhone 17

24 Months

256GB

Black

Refurbished

250GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£29.99 per month, £39 upfront.

Use code: SAVING10 (£10 off)

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra

24 Months

256GB

Violet Shadow

100GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£44.99 per month, £449 upfront.

Use code: SUMMER10 (£10 off)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Apple iPhone 17 or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra cheaper on contract?

Based on total cost of ownership, the Apple iPhone 17 is cheaper on contract at £784.76 over the life of the deal from £29.99 per month with £39.00 upfront.

Which has the better screen, the Apple iPhone 17 or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra?

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra has the bigger screen at 8" compared to the Apple iPhone 17's 6.3", the Apple iPhone 17 has the sharper display at 458 pixels per inch versus 367, and the Apple iPhone 17 uses a LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED panel while the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra has a LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2.

Which has the better camera, the Apple iPhone 17 or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra?

The Apple iPhone 17 features a 48 Megapixels rear camera, while the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra has a 200 Megapixels rear camera. Both devices also have front-facing cameras for selfies and video calls.

Which is cheaper to buy SIM-free, the Apple iPhone 17 or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra?

The Apple iPhone 17 is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £619.00.

What storage options are available for the Apple iPhone 17 and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra?

The Apple iPhone 17 is available in 256GB, 512GB, while the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra comes in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB.

What processors do the Apple iPhone 17 and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra use?

The Apple iPhone 17 is powered by the Apple A19 Pro, while the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra uses the Qualcomm SM8850-1-AD Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm).

Which is easier to carry and hold, the Apple iPhone 17 or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra?

The Apple iPhone 17 is the more portable of the two: it's 38g lighter at 177 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 149.6 x 71.5 x 7.95 mm, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra is slimmer at 4.9mm thick.

Which is more water resistant, the Apple iPhone 17 or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra?

The Apple iPhone 17 is rated IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins), while the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra is rated IP48 dust and water resistant (dust > 1mm; immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min).

What operating system do the Apple iPhone 17 and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra run?

The Apple iPhone 17 runs Apple iOS and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra runs Android. This is one of the biggest factors when choosing between the two, as each ecosystem has its own apps, services and features.