If you look at the specs of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, the brand's new Galaxy Z Fold 7 successor, you'll see a phone that's pretty similar to the older model.

We're getting a few new camera tools, and a tweak to how the AI tools — sorry, "Agentic Experiences" — work, but the phone doesn't reinvent the wheel or massively change its specs.

Given how expensive foldables can be, that might put some buyers off.

However, a few less-flashy changes to this new phone, and features of its wider sibling the Galaxy Z Fold 8, could make them the most tempting-to-buy foldables from Samsung yet.

I've used the new phone for a day, and an unsung change is why I'm happy to keep using it.

Samsung has one massive flex

And it'll make your phone much more durable

Like most phone fans, I can't use a foldable without worrying about its longevity, which stems from the original Galaxy Fold's disastrous display issues.

Years later, I've still tested phones that have had obvious screen creases or creaked when they're folded. When I played about with the Honor Magic V6, its noticeable crease scared me off.

But, with the Galaxy Z Fold 8 series, Samsung has clearly made durability a focus. Case in point, its new Flex Titanium technology promises the brand's longest-lasting foldables to date.

This tech, introduced in new mobiles, incorporates titanium-alloy film and titanium plate layers into the screen panel, under the OLED, glass, and protective layers.

At a press briefing, Samsung said the titanium-alloy film is 30% the width of a human hair. So it doesn't add much to the foldable's size.

Yet these layers are intended to add plenty of protection to the phone screen, so they're less at risk of damage from a small bump or drop.

These features aren't to be discounted

Even if you don't use them

I don't imagine many people buy a new smartphone for its durability (unless you're intentionally buying a rugged phone).

True, some aren't ready to buy a foldable phone for durability concerns, but I don't imagine it's the primary motivation for most buyers.

Whenever I've spoken to non-tech-journalist owners of foldables, durability is usually at the bottom of their list.

Instead, fans tend to buy these devices for a range of other reasons.

I've heard owners cite the large display width, compact folded size, or unique flex features as the main reasons they consider these phones.

Those are all features which can and do get upgraded with new iterations, and the Galaxy Z Fold 8's focus on durability instead of specs shows a change of pace for the brand.

I imagine some phone fans will discount the new series as iterative updates instead of paying due attention to the titanium upgrades. And that'd do a disservice to these new mobiles.

A screen upgrade also deserves attention

Another tiny feature that you love to see

The titanium injection isn't the only small Galaxy Z Fold 8 feature that piqued my interest. Samsung has also added an anti-reflective-glare layer to the displays of its new foldables.

Again, this isn't a headline-grabbing feature. But it's the kind of tool that will dramatically improve using the phone, especially if you're outside a lot of the time.

There's likely not a single person on the planet who hasn't squinted to see their phone's screen at some point, blinded by the sun or a bright light. It's part and parcel of the smartphone experience.

While there are some software features which can help you fight outdoor screen glare, they're only half measures, and usually increase the battery drain of your mobile.

I've yet to truly put the Galaxy Z Fold 8 or 8 Ultra through their paces, so I can't say just how well the anti-reflective glare works in combatting sunlight.

Still, Samsung has a reputation for useful screen features, so I'm holding out hope.

I'm talking about the Galaxy S26 Ultra's Privacy Display, which worked wonderfully — so much so that I thought Samsung would use it in the Z Fold 8 devices.

These upgrades extend to the Flip 8 too

A hardy new flip phone

The Galaxy Z Fold phones aren't the only models to have seen design refinements as their most appealing upgrades. The Flip 8 is no different.

According to Samsung, the Galaxy Z Flip 8 is smaller than the Z Flip 7. At 6.1mm thick, it's 13.1% thinner, and at 180g it's also 3.9% lighter than the older model.

This phone also enjoys some durability upgrades, across the hinge and screen, to ensure it'll last longer.

In the press briefing, however, Samsung didn't go into specifics on what these upgrades were — though titanium wasn't mentioned.

With changes and tweaks like this, you won't need to refuse to unflip the phone any more; you can rest easy that it'll last longer.

A foldable that's easier to buy

While smartphone buyers might not be screaming from the rafters about the Galaxy Z Fold 8 series' durability tweaks, Samsung and foldable fans might.

These enhancements mean the phones are easier to buy, as you can pick one up without worrying that it'll quickly break.

And given that many refused to buy the Galaxy Z Fold 8 unless durability was a focus, I see Titanium Flex placating the fans.