Apple iPhone 17e vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra

Our Verdict: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra takes the clearest hardware lead over Apple iPhone 17e. Its case rests on a larger 8" screen, a higher-resolution 200MP rear camera, and an LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 display. The counterargument for Apple iPhone 17e is cost: it is the cheaper contract option by about £890. Choose Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra if tablet-like screen space is worth paying for; choose Apple iPhone 17e if the better deal is the deciding factor.

Over a full contract, the iPhone 17e works out around £660 all-in, about £788 less than the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra.

Screen
6.1" 8"
Display
Super Retina XDR OLED LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2
Resolution
1170 x 2532 1968 x 2184
Pixels Per Inch
457 367
Rear Camera
48 Megapixels 200 Megapixels
Front Camera
12 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A19 (3 nm) Qualcomm SM8850-1-AD Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm)
Battery
4,005 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/6 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7
Bluetooth
5.3, A2DP, LE 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Dimensions
146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm 161.4 x 123.9 x 4.9 mm
Weight
169 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
£25.99/mo (£0.00 upfront) £60.33/mo (£0.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£539.99 £1846.99

Prices updated 12 August 2026

Apple iPhone 17e Apple iPhone 17e Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra
Screen 6.1" 8"
Display Super Retina XDR OLED LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2
Resolution 1170 x 2532 1968 x 2184
Pixels Per Inch 457 367
Rear Camera 48 Megapixels 200 Megapixels
Front Camera 12 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A19 (3 nm) Qualcomm SM8850-1-AD Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm)
Battery 4,005 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/6 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7
Bluetooth 5.3, A2DP, LE 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Dimensions 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm 161.4 x 123.9 x 4.9 mm
Weight 169 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 £25.99/mo
£0.00 upfront
£60.33/mo
£0.00 upfront
SIM-free £539.99 £1846.99
Prices updated 12 August 2026
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Apple iPhone 17e
Apple iPhone 17e

24 Months

256GB

White

30GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£25.99 per month, with FREE phone.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra

24 Months

256GB

Graphite

30GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£60.33 per month, with FREE phone.

Related Comparisons

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Based on total cost of ownership, the Apple iPhone 17e is cheaper on contract at £659.76 over the life of the deal from £25.99 per month with £0.00 upfront.

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

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra has the bigger screen at 8" compared to the Apple iPhone 17e's 6.1", the Apple iPhone 17e has the sharper display at 457 pixels per inch versus 367, and the Apple iPhone 17e uses a 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 17e or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra?

The Apple iPhone 17e 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 17e or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra?

The Apple iPhone 17e is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £539.99.

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

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

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

The Apple iPhone 17e is powered by the Apple A19 (3 nm), 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 17e or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra?

The Apple iPhone 17e is the more portable of the two: it's 46g lighter at 169 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra is slimmer at 4.9mm thick.

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

The Apple iPhone 17e 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 17e and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra run?

The Apple iPhone 17e 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.