Apple iPhone Air vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra

Our Verdict: For Apple iPhone Air versus Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, the recommendation depends mostly on what you want from the hardware. The Samsung is ahead for display quality, with a larger 8-inch screen, its LTPO AMOLED 2X panel, and a higher-resolution 200MP rear camera; the iPhone is the better match for a sharper 444 PPI display, its LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED panel, and a lighter 165g 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. The Samsung is the better fit for display quality, while the iPhone is the one to consider for portability.

The iPhone Air is the cheaper one to own: around £838 over a typical contract, £687 less than the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra.

Expert Rating
3.9
12 reviews
4.3
8 reviews
Screen
6.5" 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
444 367
Rear Camera
48 Megapixels 200 Megapixels
Front Camera
18 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A19 Pro (3 nm) Qualcomm SM8850-1-AD Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm)
Battery
3,149 mAh 5,000 mAh
Storage
256GB, 512GB, 1TB 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
OS
Apple iOS Android
SIM Type
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
156.2 x 74.7 x 5.6 mm 161.4 x 123.9 x 4.9 mm
Weight
165 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 (£89.00 upfront) £25.00/mo (£905.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£599.99 £1799.00
Apple iPhone Air Apple iPhone Air Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra
Expert Rating 3.9
12 reviews
4.3
8 reviews
Screen 6.5" 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 444 367
Rear Camera 48 Megapixels 200 Megapixels
Front Camera 18 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A19 Pro (3 nm) Qualcomm SM8850-1-AD Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm)
Battery 3,149 mAh 5,000 mAh
Storage 256GB, 512GB, 1TB 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
OS Apple iOS Android
SIM Type 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 156.2 x 74.7 x 5.6 mm 161.4 x 123.9 x 4.9 mm
Weight 165 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
£89.00 upfront
£25.00/mo
£905.00 upfront
SIM-free £599.99 £1799.00
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Apple iPhone Air
Apple iPhone Air

24 Months

256GB

Cloud White

Refurbished

200GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£29.99 a month, £89 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

£25 a month, £905 upfront.

Use code: 30JNOFF (£30 off)

Related Comparisons

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Based on total cost of ownership, the Apple iPhone Air is cheaper on contract at £838.36 over the life of the deal from £29.99 per month with £89.00 upfront.

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

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra has the bigger screen at 8" compared to the Apple iPhone Air's 6.5", the Apple iPhone Air has the sharper display at 444 pixels per inch versus 367, and the Apple iPhone Air 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 Air or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra?

The Apple iPhone Air 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 Air or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra?

The Apple iPhone Air is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £599.99.

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

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

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

The Apple iPhone Air is powered by the Apple A19 Pro (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 Air or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra?

The Apple iPhone Air is the more portable of the two: it's 50g lighter at 165 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 156.2 x 74.7 x 5.6 mm, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra is slimmer at 4.9mm thick.

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

The Apple iPhone Air 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 Air and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra run?

The Apple iPhone Air 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.