Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 vs Apple iPhone Duo: which should you buy?

Our pick

Galaxy Z Fold8 for 8K video in a thinner foldable
iPhone Duo for Apple Pencil support and better dust protection

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8

$1,599.99 (256GB)

Get it if

You use an Android phone.
You shoot 8K video.
You prefer the thinner foldable: 9.7 mm closed and 4.5 mm open.

Buy at Best Buy$1,599.99

Checked Nov 15, 2026 · We may earn a commission.

Apple iPhone Duo

$1,999 (256GB)

Get it if

You use an iPhone.
You want to write or sketch with Apple Pencil on the inner screen.
You want better dust protection: IP68 to the Fold8’s IP48.

Buy at Apple$1,999

Checked Nov 15, 2026 · We may earn a commission.

Get the Galaxy Z Fold8 if you want 8K video recording, Android, and the thinner foldable: 9.7 mm closed to the Duo's 11.3 mm. Get the iPhone Duo if you want Apple Pencil support, better dust protection (IP68 to the Fold8’s IP48) and iOS.

What's different

Chip
Galaxy Z Fold8Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy
iPhone DuoA20 Pro
The Galaxy Z Fold8 runs Android 17 with One UI 9 on a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy processor. The iPhone Duo runs iOS on Apple's A20 Pro chip.
Top video recording
Galaxy Z Fold8 (leads)8K
iPhone Duo4K
The Galaxy Z Fold8 records video in 8K from its main and Ultra Wide cameras. The iPhone Duo tops out at 4K.
Only the iPhone Duo works with a pen
The iPhone Duo supports Apple Pencil (USB-C), so you can write and sketch on its 7.6-inch inner screen. The Galaxy Z Fold8 does not support the S Pen.
Water and dust rating
Galaxy Z Fold8IP48
iPhone Duo (leads)IP68
Apple rates the iPhone Duo IP68 for splash, water and dust. Samsung rates the Fold8 IP48.
Thickness
Galaxy Z Fold89.7 mm closed, 4.5 mm open
iPhone Duo11.3 mm closed, 5.2 mm open
The Galaxy Z Fold8 weighs 201 g (7.09 oz) to the iPhone Duo's 254 g (8.96 oz), and it is 9.7 mm thick closed and 4.5 mm open; the Duo is 11.3 mm and 5.2 mm.
Battery ratings, by Samsung's and Apple's own tests
Samsung rates the Fold8 for up to 26 hours of video playback; Apple rates the iPhone Duo for up to 31 hours on the inner screen and 44 on the cover screen. Samsung and Apple each run their own test, so the figures are not set against each other.

What's the same

A 7.6-inch inner screen that folds open like a small tablet, and a cover screen of about 5.5 inches
A dual rear camera: a wide main camera with 2x optical-quality zoom and an Ultra Wide, with no separate telephoto lens
A fingerprint sensor for unlocking
256GB of storage to start

Tale of the Tape

Galaxy Z Fold8

iPhone Duo

Galaxy Z Fold8: 8K ✓ Top video recordingiPhone Duo: 4K
Galaxy Z Fold8: No S Pen support StylusiPhone Duo: Apple Pencil (USB-C) ✓
Galaxy Z Fold8: IP48 Water and dust ratingiPhone Duo: IP68 ✓
Galaxy Z Fold8: Up to 26 hrs Video playback (rated)iPhone Duo: Up to 31 hrs (inner screen), 44 hrs (cover screen)
Galaxy Z Fold8: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy ChipiPhone Duo: A20 Pro
Galaxy Z Fold8: Android 17, One UI 9 SoftwareiPhone Duo: iOS
Galaxy Z Fold8: 9.7 mm closed, 4.5 mm open ThicknessiPhone Duo: 11.3 mm closed, 5.2 mm open
Galaxy Z Fold8: 201 g (7.09 oz) WeightiPhone Duo: 254 g (8.96 oz)

FAQs

Which should you buy, the Galaxy Z Fold8 or the iPhone Duo?

The Galaxy Z Fold8 if you want 8K video in a thinner foldable; the iPhone Duo if you want Apple Pencil support and better dust protection.

Which has better battery life, the Galaxy Z Fold8 or the iPhone Duo?

Neither can be called the winner from the rated figures: Samsung rates the Fold8 for up to 26 hours of video playback and Apple rates the Duo for up to 31 hours on the inner screen and 44 on the cover screen, each by its own test.

Which records higher-resolution video, the Galaxy Z Fold8 or the iPhone Duo?

The Galaxy Z Fold8 records 8K from its main and Ultra Wide cameras, where the iPhone Duo tops out at 4K.

Which is lighter, the Galaxy Z Fold8 or the iPhone Duo?

The Galaxy Z Fold8, at 201 g (7.09 oz) to the iPhone Duo's 254 g (8.96 oz). It is also thinner, 9.7 mm closed to the Duo's 11.3 mm.