Samsung Galaxy A17 vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra

Our Verdict: Samsung Galaxy A17 has the clearer spec argument against Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, led by lower current contract pricing and the lower SIM-free starting price. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra answers with a larger 8" screen and a higher-resolution 200 megapixels rear camera, so it should not be dismissed if screen space or display sharpness matters most. Choose Samsung Galaxy A17 for overall price; go for Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra when screen space or display sharpness are the bigger pull.

The A17 is the cheaper one to own: around £261 over a typical contract, £1254 less than the Z Fold8 Ultra.

Screen
6.7" 8"
Display
Super AMOLED LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2
Resolution
1080 x 2340 1968 x 2184
Pixels Per Inch
385 367
Rear Camera
50 Megapixels 200 Megapixels
Front Camera
13 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Chipset
Exynos 1330 (5 nm) Qualcomm SM8850-1-AD Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm)
Battery
5,000 mAh 5,000 mAh
Storage
128GB 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
OS
Android 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 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7
Bluetooth
5.3 with A2DP, LE 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Dimensions
164.4 x 77.9 x 7.5 mm 161.4 x 123.9 x 4.9 mm
Weight
192 grams 215 grams
Water Resistance
IP54, dust and splash resistant IP48 dust and water resistant (dust > 1mm; immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Contracts
£5.00/mo (£125.00 upfront) £44.99/mo (£449.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£139.99 £1846.99

Prices updated 10 August 2026

Samsung Galaxy A17 Samsung Galaxy A17 Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra
Screen 6.7" 8"
Display Super AMOLED LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2
Resolution 1080 x 2340 1968 x 2184
Pixels Per Inch 385 367
Rear Camera 50 Megapixels 200 Megapixels
Front Camera 13 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Chipset Exynos 1330 (5 nm) Qualcomm SM8850-1-AD Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm)
Battery 5,000 mAh 5,000 mAh
Storage 128GB 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
OS Android 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 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7
Bluetooth 5.3 with A2DP, LE 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Dimensions 164.4 x 77.9 x 7.5 mm 161.4 x 123.9 x 4.9 mm
Weight 192 grams 215 grams
Water Resistance IP54, dust and splash resistant IP48 dust and water resistant (dust > 1mm; immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Contracts £5.00/mo
£125.00 upfront
£44.99/mo
£449.00 upfront
SIM-free £139.99 £1846.99
Prices updated 10 August 2026
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Samsung Galaxy A17
Samsung Galaxy A17

24 Months

128GB

Black

300GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£5 per month, £125 upfront.

Use code: 30JNOFF (£30 off)

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra

24 Months

256GB

Graphite

100GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£44.99 per month, £449 upfront.

Use code: FLIPFOLD50 (£50 off)

Related Comparisons

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Samsung Galaxy A17 or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra cheaper on contract?

Based on total cost of ownership, the Samsung Galaxy A17 is cheaper on contract at £261.00 over the life of the deal from £5.00 per month with £125.00 upfront.

Which has the better screen, the Samsung Galaxy A17 or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra?

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra has the bigger screen at 8" compared to the Samsung Galaxy A17's 6.7", the Samsung Galaxy A17 has the sharper display at 385 pixels per inch versus 367, and the Samsung Galaxy A17 uses a Super AMOLED 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 Samsung Galaxy A17 or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra?

The Samsung Galaxy A17 features a 50 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 Samsung Galaxy A17 or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra?

The Samsung Galaxy A17 is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £139.99.

What storage options are available for the Samsung Galaxy A17 and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra?

The Samsung Galaxy A17 is available in 128GB, while the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra comes in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB.

What processors do the Samsung Galaxy A17 and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra use?

The Samsung Galaxy A17 is powered by the Exynos 1330 (5 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 Samsung Galaxy A17 or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra?

The Samsung Galaxy A17 is the more portable of the two: it's 23g lighter at 192 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 164.4 x 77.9 x 7.5 mm, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra is slimmer at 4.9mm thick.

Which is more water resistant, the Samsung Galaxy A17 or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra?

The Samsung Galaxy A17 is rated IP54, dust and splash resistant, 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 Samsung Galaxy A17 and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra run?

Both phones run Android.