A MBLM divulgou seu estudo anual mais recente sobre as marcas que tem as “conexões mais íntimas” com seus clientes — avaliando o grau de apego dos consumidores a empresas específicas.

Embora geralmente bem colocada nesse ranking, neste ano a Apple não ficou em uma posição muito prestigiada: a empresa está agora na sétima colocação da lista (e em segundo lugar no ranking do setor).

Com isso, pela primeira vez, ela foi ultrapassada pela sua rival Samsung (que ocupa a terceira posição geral e a primeira em tecnologia).

Na avaliação da MBLM, a Apple tem um quociente de relacionamento de 55,5, sendo que seu arquétipo mais forte é o “ritual”.

A Apple tem 15% dos usuários na fase de compartilhamento, 7% na de vínculo e 4% na de fusão. Dos consumidores que escrevem sobre a Apple, 25,5% têm algum tipo de intimidade com a marca.

A MBLM faz essa medição examinando as conexões emocionais dos usuários com uma marca, incluindo as características de seu vínculo em categorias como nostalgia, indulgência e identidade. O estudo deste ano abrangeu 425 marcas em 23 setores.

via AppleInsider

Faltam poucas horas para o evento especial “Surprise and shine”, no qual a Apple deverá apresentar oficialmente seu primeiro iPhone dobrável — chamado nos rumores mais recentes de “iPhone Duo”, embora parte da imprensa ainda trate o produto como “iPhone Ultra”. E, no momento em que todos os olhos se voltam para Cupertino, um executivo da Samsung aproveitou para dar uma “dica” pública à concorrente.

Em entrevista à revista WIRED, Hee-Cheul Moon, chefe do grupo de P&D Mecânico Avançado da Samsung, afirmou que a chegada da Apple ao mercado de dobráveis é vista com bons olhos internamente — e até como uma validação do trabalho que a companhia coreana vem fazendo há sete anos nessa categoria.

Ao ser questionado sobre o que diria à Apple antes da estreia do rival, Moon foi direto: “A chave para entregar o maior valor ao cliente nesse mercado é o peso do aparelho.” E completou dizendo que essa não é uma equação simples de resolver.

Segundo estimativas, o dobrável da Apple deverá pesar entre 230 e 241 gramas — mais que o iPhone 17 Pro Max (233g) e bem acima dos 201g do Galaxy Z Fold8, o modelo mais leve já lançado pela Samsung na linha principal. Para chegar a esse número, a empresa afirma ter revisado cerca de 270 componentes e mais de 180 peças auxiliares do aparelho, eliminando 15 delas, redesenhando a placa de circuito interna e usinando a placa de suporte da tela a cerca de 0,2mm de espessura — mudança viabilizada por um novo filme de liga de titânio, batizado de “Flex Titanium”, que a Samsung diz ajudar a manter a tela mais plana e a conter o avanço do vinco ao longo do tempo.

Resta saber se a Apple — que, ao que tudo indica, investiu pesado no desenvolvimento da dobradiça do “iPhone Duo” — conseguirá equilibrar a robustez buscada com um peso mais competitivo, ou se o “conselho” da Samsung vai se confirmar como o principal ponto fraco do novo aparelho.

A sul-coreana também postou um vídeo intitulado “Welcome to Foldables” (“Bem-vinda aos Dobráveis”), provavelmente como forma de provocação à Apple:

A resposta, pelo menos para boa parte dessas dúvidas, virá já nas próximas horas.

Durante uma conferência de imprensa em Seul, a OpenAI revelou que está a investigar e a produzir conjuntamente com a Samsung os próximos chips de inferência da empresa, numa altura em que os utilizadores empresariais do ChatGPT na Coreia do Sul cresceram 28 vezes num ano.

The post OpenAI reforça parceria com a Samsung no desenvolvimento de chips de nova geração appeared first on Tek Notícias.

Leading chipmakers Samsung Electronics and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. announced plans to adopt ASML’s latest chipmaking machines in the next several years—and they also joined Intel in agreeing to a crucial technology change that could boost chip production on the new machines by 40 percent.

This signifies the semiconductor industry’s broader embrace of high NA EUV photolithography technology that can cost up to $400 million per machine and is only provided by the Dutch technology company ASML, Bloomberg reports. The technology would allow chip designers to implement even smaller features in potentially more powerful and efficient next-generation chips produced for AI data centers and consumer electronics such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops.

ASML’s EUV (extreme ultraviolet) lithography machines enable chipmakers to use powerful laser light to imprint patterns in silicon wafers, layer by layer, and gradually form the computer circuitry that makes silicon chips work. Compared to older deep ultraviolet lithography, EUV technology harnesses a more powerful source of light with a shorter wavelength to create even smaller features on silicon wafers.

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Leading chipmakers Samsung Electronics and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. announced plans to adopt ASML’s latest chipmaking machines in the next several years—and they also joined Intel in agreeing to a crucial technology change that could boost chip production on the new machines by 40 percent.

This signifies the semiconductor industry’s broader embrace of high NA EUV photolithography technology that can cost up to $400 million per machine and is only provided by the Dutch technology company ASML, Bloomberg reports. The technology would allow chip designers to implement even smaller features in potentially more powerful and efficient next-generation chips produced for AI data centers and consumer electronics such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops.

ASML’s EUV (extreme ultraviolet) lithography machines enable chipmakers to use powerful laser light to imprint patterns in silicon wafers, layer by layer, and gradually form the computer circuitry that makes silicon chips work. Compared to older deep ultraviolet lithography, EUV technology harnesses a more powerful source of light with a shorter wavelength to create even smaller features on silicon wafers.

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Ads and tracking have turned TVs into privacy nightmares. Both are so widespread among smart TVs that I’ve written a guide for avoiding them. One recommendation in that guide is to use a computer monitor. But in recent years, monitors have become more capable of pushing ads and tracking users.

Without more straightforward approaches from vendors, such as easily comprehensible privacy policies and avoiding inappropriate ads, monitors are dangerously encroaching into smart-TV-like territory.

LG monitors’ McAfee ads

LG lost some trust after a recent report that some of its monitors installed McAfee pop-up ads onto connected computers. Since at least 2024, some of these displays installed an app, LG Monitor App Installer, onto connected computers under the cover of driver updates installed through Windows Update.

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Samsung has largely defined the foldable phone category, but it's no longer alone in releasing flexible devices. Google, Motorola, and a raft of Chinese OEMs have their own take on this form factor. Is the new Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra really "ultra" enough to remain on top?

This phone doesn't have the wide frame of the new Z Fold 8, instead matching the approximate size and shape of the company’s last few tablet-style foldables. The Z Fold 8 Ultra is not a big leap, but it continues Samsung's pattern of iterative foldable improvements. At this point, there's very little left to improve. The compromises of going with a foldable over a regular flat phone have largely been erased with the Z Fold 8 Ultra. Well, except for the price.

Flatter and a little better

Foldables used to be real pocket-busters, almost like carrying two phones glued together. Samsung has successively shaved a few millimeters off every year, taking a leap last year with the Z Fold 7. The Z Fold 8 Ultra is even a bit slimmer than that phone, but the difference is basically imperceptible. It still has the same buttons in the same places, including a fingerprint sensor in the power button.

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Fomos procurar quais os smartphones com as melhores câmaras à venda em Portugal, dividindo-os em duas categorias, sem limite de preço e até 500 euros. Explicamos também quais os critérios que deve ter em contra na hora de escolher.

The post Dos modelos premium aos mais “económicos”: 12 smartphones com as melhores câmaras que pode comprar em Portugal appeared first on Tek Notícias.

ICONE A SFONDO QUASI NERO

DURABILITY TEST PER IL SAMSUNG GALAXY Z FOLD8

Serão realmente os smartphones topo de gama que oferecem o melhor valor-desempenho? Ou existem equipamentos a preços mais acessíveis que acabam por se destacar? O ranking da AnTuTu foca-se exatamente neste tema.

The post Quais são os smartphones com a melhor relação entre preço e desempenho? Veja os modelos que se destacam appeared first on Tek Notícias.

Samsung is preparing to expand its Fan Edition lineup with the upcoming Galaxy S26 FE, and newly leaked specifications suggest the device will bring a flagship-style display, upgraded performance, and a larger battery while maintaining the value-focused positioning of the FE series.

According to a report from WinFuture, the Samsung Galaxy S26 FE is expected to launch in early September 2026. The leaked details reveal information about the phone’s design, display, chipset, cameras, battery, and connectivity features.

Slim Design with IP68 Water Resistance

The Galaxy S26 FE is expected to continue Samsung’s lightweight premium design approach. The device reportedly measures as thin as 7.4mm and weighs approximately 193g, making it relatively slim for a smartphone with a large display and high-capacity battery.

The phone is also expected to feature IP68-rated dust and water resistance, providing protection against accidental splashes and exposure to water.

Samsung is reportedly planning three color options for the Galaxy S26 FE:

• Graphite (Dark Gray)
• Pistachio (Green)
• Blueberry (Purple)

These color choices suggest Samsung is targeting users who want a more stylish alternative to traditional flagship smartphone designs.

6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X Display with 120Hz Refresh Rate

The Galaxy S26 FE is expected to feature a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, offering a premium viewing experience similar to Samsung’s higher-end Galaxy models.

According to the leaked specifications, the display will include:

• Resolution: 2340 × 1080 pixels
• Refresh rate: 120Hz
• Typical brightness: Around 1,200 nits
• Peak brightness: Up to 1,900 nits in high-brightness mode

The high refresh rate should provide smoother scrolling, improved gaming responsiveness, and better animations, while the high brightness level will help improve outdoor visibility.

Exynos 2500 and Snapdragon Variants Expected

Performance will reportedly be one of the key upgrades of the Galaxy S26 FE. European models are expected to use Samsung’s Exynos 2500 processor, featuring a ten-core CPU design with a maximum clock speed of 3.3GHz.

Meanwhile, certification documents reportedly indicate that the US version of the Galaxy S26 FE may feature a Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset, continuing Samsung’s strategy of offering different processors depending on market availability.

The device is expected to include:

• 8GB RAM
• 128GB storage
• 256GB storage option

While the RAM capacity remains focused on efficiency rather than extreme specifications, the combination of a modern flagship-level chipset and optimized software should provide smooth everyday performance.

Triple Camera System with 8K Video Support

The Galaxy S26 FE is expected to feature a versatile triple-camera setup designed for photography and video recording.

The leaked camera specifications include:

Main Camera

• 50MP sensor
• f/1.8 aperture
• Optical image stabilization (OIS)
• Supports up to 8K video recording at 30fps
• Supports 4K recording at 60fps

Ultra-Wide Camera

• 12MP sensor
• f/2.2 aperture

Telephoto Camera

• 8MP sensor
• f/2.4 aperture
• Supports 3x optical zoom

For selfies and video calls, the phone is expected to feature a:

• 12MP front camera
• f/2.2 aperture

The camera setup suggests Samsung is aiming to deliver a balanced photography experience, combining high-resolution main imaging with ultra-wide and zoom capabilities.

Larger 4,900mAh Battery with 45W Fast Charging

Battery life is another area where the Galaxy S26 FE is expected to improve. The smartphone will reportedly include a 4,900mAh battery, paired with 45W wired fast charging.

According to the European EPREL energy database information mentioned in the report, the device may achieve:

• Up to 50 hours of typical usage time
• Battery durability rating of 1,200 charging cycles

The larger battery capacity should help the phone deliver extended daily usage, especially when combined with Samsung’s display efficiency and chipset optimizations.

Modern Connectivity Features

The Galaxy S26 FE is expected to support a range of updated connectivity technologies, including:

• Bluetooth 5.4
• Wi-Fi 6
• NFC
• Dual physical nano-SIM support

These features should provide compatibility with modern wireless accessories, faster network connections, and convenient mobile payment functions.

Samsung Galaxy S26 FE Expected Specifications

Galaxy S26 FE: A More Affordable Flagship Alternative?

The Samsung Galaxy S26 FE appears set to continue the company’s Fan Edition philosophy by bringing several flagship-inspired features to a more accessible price segment.

With a 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED display, flagship-class processors, OIS camera system, 45W charging, and IP68 protection, the Galaxy S26 FE could become an attractive option for users who want premium features without moving to Samsung’s most expensive Galaxy S26 series models.

Samsung has not officially confirmed the Galaxy S26 FE launch date or final specifications yet, so some details may change before the official release. However, if the leaked information proves accurate, the Galaxy S26 FE could become one of the most competitive premium mid-range smartphones of 2026.

The post Samsung Galaxy S26 FE Specifications Revealed: Exynos 2500/Snapdragon Chip, 8GB RAM and 4,900mAh Battery appeared first on IGeeKphone China Phone, Tablet PC, VR, RC Drone News, Reviews.

The Galaxy Z Fold8 combines flagship performance, a versatile foldable display, and improved One UI 9, but its high price and ecosystem compromises make the decision more complicated.

The Galaxy Z Fold8 arrives at an interesting point in the evolution of foldable smartphones. Samsung has had several generations to refine the concept, and the Fold8 represents the company’s latest attempt to make a foldable feel less like an experimental alternative and more like a legitimate flagship. With a new generation of Snapdragon hardware, updated software, a redesigned chassis, and a growing collection of AI features, there is plenty here to evaluate beyond the novelty of having a phone that folds.

For this review, I wanted to look at the Fold8 as a smartphone I could actually live with rather than simply evaluating its specifications. That means looking at its performance, battery life, software, cameras, design, and everyday usability while also considering where it fits among the other flagship phones available today.

About the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 is Samsung’s latest flagship foldable smartphone, combining the portability of a traditional smartphone with a 7.6-inch foldable display that provides a much larger workspace when opened. The Fold8 features a slimmer and lighter design than previous generations, a 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2X cover and inner display, and is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy processor. It also includes a 50MP wide camera, 50MP ultra-wide camera, and a range of Galaxy AI features designed to make multitasking, communication, photography, and everyday productivity easier.

With up to 1TB of storage and 16GB of RAM, the Galaxy Z Fold8 is positioned as both a premium smartphone and a compact productivity device. Its large inner display makes it particularly suited to multitasking, content consumption, document editing, and other tasks that benefit from additional screen space, while its redesigned hinge and thinner profile make it more practical to carry throughout the day.

Features & Specs

Weight & Size

• Cover Display Dimension: 5.5”
• Main Display Dimension: 7.6”
• Weight: 201g

Camera

• Wide: 50.0 MP
• Ultra Wide: 50.0 MP
• Front: 10.0 MP (Cover) + 10.0 MP HID (Main)
• Zoom: Optical Quality Zoom 2x, Digital Zoom up to 10x

Battery

• 4800 mAh
• Up to 26 hours of video playback

Processor

• Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy

Display

• Cover Display Resolution: 1972 x 1248 WUXGA + Dynamic AMOLED 2X
• Main Display Resolution: 1848 x 2448 QXGA+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X

Storage Options

• 256 GB
• 512 GB
• 1 TB

Memory

• 12 GB (256 GB + 512 GB models)
• 16 GB (1 TB model)

Durability

• Frame: Armor Aluminum Frame

Glass

• Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 3 / Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2

Water Resistance

• IP48

Connectivity

• 5G
• WiFi

Galaxy Exclusives

• Samsung Care+
• Samsung Health
• Samsung Wallet

User Experience

Specifications and benchmark numbers only tell part of the story with a device like the Galaxy Z Fold8. A foldable can have all the right hardware on paper, but what matters is how that hardware comes together when you actually use the phone every day. After spending time with the Fold8, there are several things about the experience that stood out to me.

First of all, the Galaxy Z Fold8 has a bright display that does an excellent job of hiding the crease in most lighting conditions. When the screen is on, the crease is almost impossible to see, which makes the display feel much more like a traditional smartphone screen than I expected.

The hinge also feels tight and well made. Samsung has put a significant amount of R&D into the hinge, including testing how many times it can be opened and closed, and that engineering is apparent in the way it feels during everyday use.

The glass on the front of the phone is nice, although it does not seem to be as scratch-resistant as the glass on the iPhone. If you take care of the phone or use a screen protector, I don’t expect this to be a major issue. The enter screen can potentially scratch, but this isn’t necessarily Samsung’s fault. It is simply where we are with current screen technology. We haven’t quite caught up with what we want to be able to do with glass while maintaining the durability we expect from it.

A Form Factor That Works

Using the wider form factor has been a joy for my eyes. I’ve been noticing that I have to squint when looking at text on my iPhone, but text renders comfortably on the Fold8’s larger display. Reading on this phone has been a joy.

The phone is smaller than an iPhone Pro Max when it is closed, yet the screen still feels like you’re reading from a much larger display. The combination of its compact closed form and large inner display is one of the things I have enjoyed most about using the Fold8.

If you’re an Apple fan, this form factor could be particularly interesting when Apple eventually releases its own foldable iPhone coming up in a month. The Fold8 provides a good example of what a larger foldable phone can offer without requiring you to carry a tablet-sized device.

Typing

Typing on the Fold8 has been a joy, both open and closed. The wider body when the phone is closed gives me a better grip while texting.

One of my concerns was that typing with the phone open would feel unwieldy, similar to typing on an iPad mini. Instead, the split design of the keyboard felt natural after just a few minutes of use and has been very comfortable.

That was one of the surprises of using the Fold8. I expected the larger screen to make typing more awkward, but Samsung’s approach to the keyboard makes good use of the additional screen real estate.

Setup and Connectivity

When setting up the phone, I wanted to test the transfer option between Android devices. Unfortunately, this is where I ran into a problem. The phone would get so far into the transfer process and then fail.

This may have been related to the Google Pixel I was transferring from, but I also ran into an issue when trying to transfer my eSIM. I was ultimately unable to complete the transfer and had to have a brand-new eSIM sent to me via email.

The setup experience wasn’t as seamless as I had hoped, although I don’t necessarily think the transfer issue can be attributed entirely to Samsung.

Samsung’s Magnetic Case

I’m currently using Samsung’s magnetic case with the Fold8. This case is designed only to fit on the back of the phone. It isn’t intended to protect the front or sides. Its primary purpose is to provide MagSafe-style charging and compatibility with magnetic accessories.

When using this case, the phone actually feels lighter than my iPhone Pro Max with a thin case attached to it. That’s an impressive difference considering how much more screen the Fold8 provides when opened.

The magnetic functionality also gives the Fold8 access to a range of charging options and MagSafe-style accessories, which adds another layer of flexibility to the phone.

Performance and Software

Overall, I am very excited about the hardware in this phone. The Snapdragon processor is extremely fast, and the phone comes with a 12GB of RAM. If you keep the phone for more than a year, I expect that combination to make it a relatively future-proof device.

The software experience has also surprised me.

The last time I used a Samsung device, I believe we were on One UI 6 or 7, and I wasn’t a huge fan of it. With One UI 9 and Android 17, the experience feels much more polished. The software feels stable and much more visually appealing than I remember.

I can see how casual iPhone and Pixel users could be tempted to switch to Samsung because of the Fold8. There is a lot to like here, particularly when you combine the hardware with the improved One UI experience.

That said, there are small things I miss from iOS.

For example, I frequently take screenshots, and copying text from a screenshot is incredibly simple on an iPhone. I also miss being able to tap text within an image and select it directly. If this functionality is available in Android 17, I haven’t been able to find the setting that enables it.

These may sound like small things, but when you use a particular operating system for years, those small conveniences add up.

Ecosystem Matters

Having my phone work seamlessly with my Mac, iPad, Apple TV, and the other devices in my Apple ecosystem is another factor that is difficult to overlook. Those little conveniences can turn an otherwise excellent hardware experience into more of a challenge when you move outside of that ecosystem.

For someone who is already heavily invested in Apple, the Fold8 would require giving up some of those conveniences. The hardware may be compelling enough to make that worthwhile, but it is something potential buyers should consider before making the switch.

The same is true for Google users. If you enjoy the Google ecosystem, it is worth remembering that Google has an event coming up on Wednesday where it is expected to introduce its next generation of foldable devices, while Apple is expected to make its own announcements the following month.

Pixel vs. Fold8

For me, the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL has been my secondary phone. It is a great flagship testing phone and has worked well for my second number.

However, as my primary device, as much as I enjoy the new form factor and the speed of the hardware in the Fold8, it can’t push my iPhone into the secondary position. What it has done is knock the Pixel down a spot and taken its place as my secondary phone.

That puts me at something of a crossroads.

I enjoy the bare-bones approach of Google Pixel phones, but that more stripped-down version of Android can sometimes feel a little plain. I previously strongly disliked Samsung’s One UI, but the current version feels much more stable and visually appealing.

Ultimately, both devices are running Android, and your data belongs to either Samsung, Google, or both depending on the services you use. With the Google Pixel, you have options such as GrapheneOS, while there are also Android debloating tools that can be used on the Fold8 to remove some of the software you don’t want.

For example, tools such as Universal Android Debloater Next Generation and ADB AppControl can give experienced users more control over what is installed and running on their device.

For most people, the default experience will be perfectly fine. It’s simply nice to know that tools exist to give you more control if you need it.

Overall Feel

After spending time with the Fold8, I’m very impressed with the hardware. The display is bright, the crease is surprisingly easy to ignore, the hinge feels solid, and the phone is comfortable to hold and use.

The rounded corners are a nice touch, although I think a more pronounced curve could have made the phone slightly more comfortable to hold for long periods. This is a relatively minor complaint, but when you’re using a device this large for extended periods, small ergonomic details matter.

The biggest consideration for me isn’t whether the Fold8 is a good phone. It absolutely is. The question is whether its excellent hardware and improved software experience are enough to overcome the ecosystem conveniences I get from using an iPhone.

For me, the answer is no, at least as my primary phone. But the Fold8 has absolutely earned its place as my secondary device, replacing the Pixel 10 Pro XL in that role.

Benchmark Testing

To get a better understanding of how the Galaxy Z Fold8 performs beyond everyday use, I ran a series of industry-standard benchmarks covering CPU performance, GPU performance, artificial intelligence, everyday productivity, battery life, and sustained graphics performance. These tests provide a consistent way to measure the hardware and compare the results with Samsung’s published performance claims.

Benchmarks don’t necessarily represent how a phone will perform during every real-world task, but they can reveal the capabilities of the processor, GPU, NPU, memory subsystem, and battery. They can also help determine whether a device can maintain its performance under sustained workloads rather than simply delivering a high score during a short test.

Geekbench 7

Geekbench 7 provides a standardized way to measure CPU and GPU performance. The CPU tests are particularly useful for evaluating the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy’s ability to handle both single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads. Single-core performance is important for many everyday tasks, while multi-core performance becomes more important when several demanding processes are running simultaneously.

The Galaxy Z Fold8 produced a single-core score of 3,056 and a multi-core score of 9,629.

Geekbench 7 CPU

• Single-Core: 3,056
• Multi-Core: 9,629

These results provide a useful baseline for the Fold8’s overall processing capability and help demonstrate whether Samsung’s flagship hardware delivers the level of performance expected from the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy.

Geekbench 7 also includes a GPU compute test. Rather than measuring traditional gaming performance, this test evaluates how effectively the GPU handles compute workloads.

Geekbench 7 GPU

• OpenCL: 17,377

The OpenCL result gives us another way to evaluate the Adreno GPU and provides a useful point of comparison with other flagship smartphones. While it shouldn’t be treated as a direct representation of gaming frame rates, it helps establish how much computational power is available for GPU-accelerated workloads.

Geekbench AI

The Fold8’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy isn’t only designed to deliver high CPU and GPU performance. Samsung also places considerable emphasis on AI capabilities, making Geekbench AI an especially relevant benchmark for this phone.

Geekbench AI measures machine-learning performance across different hardware acceleration paths. Running the benchmark using the CPU, GPU, NNAPI, and Qualcomm’s QNN framework helps show how the phone handles AI workloads depending on which processing hardware is being used.

CPU

Geekbench AI CPU

• Single Precision: 2,552
• Half Precision: 4,109
• Quantized: 6,153

The CPU results provide a baseline for AI workloads without relying on the phone’s dedicated AI acceleration hardware. These numbers are useful for understanding how the Snapdragon processor handles AI tasks when they are executed through the general-purpose CPU.

GPU

Geekbench AI GPU

• Single Precision: 2,984
• Half Precision: 4,576
• Quantized: 4,082

The GPU results demonstrate how the Fold8 handles AI workloads using its graphics processor. This is particularly relevant for applications that can take advantage of GPU acceleration rather than relying entirely on the CPU or dedicated NPU.

NNAPI

Geekbench AI NNAPI

• Single Precision: 670
• Half Precision: 646
• Quantized: 1,476

NNAPI, or Android’s Neural Networks API, provides a standardized way for Android applications to access available neural-network acceleration hardware. These results help show how AI workloads can perform through Android’s broader machine-learning framework.

QNN

Geekbench AI QNN

• Single Precision: 659
• Half Precision: 27,041
• Quantized: 67,208

The QNN results are particularly interesting because QNN is Qualcomm’s neural-network framework and is designed to take advantage of Qualcomm’s AI hardware. The dramatic increase in the half-precision and quantized results compared with the CPU, GPU, and NNAPI results highlights the difference between general-purpose AI processing and the specialized acceleration available through Qualcomm’s QNN framework.

The 67,208 quantized QNN score is especially noteworthy. Quantized models use reduced numerical precision to make AI workloads more efficient, which is important for running AI features locally on a smartphone while minimizing power consumption and processing overhead.

These results don’t mean that every AI application will achieve anything close to the Geekbench AI scores. Applications use different models and APIs, and software optimization plays a significant role. However, they provide evidence that the Fold8 has the specialized hardware needed to support the local AI processing Samsung is promoting with this generation of Galaxy devices.

PCMark for Android

PCMark provides a different perspective than Geekbench because its Work benchmark is designed around common smartphone tasks rather than isolated processor workloads.

For this test, the Galaxy Z Fold8 achieved a PCMark Work 3.1 score of 20,546.

PCMark Work 3.1

• Overall: 20,546

PCMark Work 3.1 evaluates tasks representative of everyday smartphone use, including web browsing, document and data manipulation, image editing, and other productivity-oriented workloads. This makes it useful for putting the synthetic CPU and GPU results into a more practical context.

A strong Geekbench score tells us that the processor is powerful. A strong PCMark score helps demonstrate how that hardware translates into everyday productivity.

3DMark

To evaluate the Galaxy Z Fold8’s sustained graphics performance, I ran 3DMark’s Wild Life Extreme Stress Test. Unlike a standard benchmark that measures peak performance during a relatively short workload, the Stress Test repeatedly runs the same demanding graphics workload to determine how well the phone maintains performance as it heats up.

The Galaxy Z Fold8 produced the following results:

3DMark Wild Life Extreme Stress Test

• Best Loop Score: 5,949
• Lowest Loop Score: 3,037
• Stability: 51%

The most notable result here is the difference between the best and lowest loop scores. The Fold8 started with a score of 5,949 but dropped to 3,037 during the later loops. That’s a reduction of approximately 49% from its best performance.

The resulting 51% stability rating indicates that the phone was unable to maintain anywhere near its initial level of GPU performance throughout the extended workload. This is important because it demonstrates the difference between peak performance and sustained performance. The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy is capable of delivering very strong graphics performance, but when the GPU is pushed continuously, thermal limitations have a significant impact on how much of that performance can be sustained.

This doesn’t mean the Fold8 will constantly operate at half of its benchmark performance during normal use. Everyday tasks typically don’t place the same continuous load on the GPU that a stress test does. Gaming sessions, however, can create workloads that are much closer to this type of sustained testing, particularly with demanding 3D titles.

For Samsung’s performance claims, the result provides an important qualification. The Fold8 clearly has the hardware necessary to deliver flagship-level peak performance, but the Stress Test shows that sustained performance is considerably lower than peak performance under prolonged heavy workloads. That’s not unusual for a thin, powerful smartphone, but it is something potential buyers should keep in mind if they intend to use the Fold8 for extended gaming or other graphics-intensive tasks.

What the Results Tell Us

Taken together, these benchmarks show that the Galaxy Z Fold8 has the hardware to deliver a true flagship-level experience. The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy provides strong CPU and GPU performance, while the Geekbench AI results, particularly through QNN, demonstrate the potential of Qualcomm’s dedicated AI hardware. The PCMark Work 3.1 score of 20,546 also shows that this performance translates well to everyday productivity workloads.

The 3DMark Wild Life Extreme Stress Test provides an important look at what happens when that hardware is pushed for an extended period. While the Fold8 achieved a strong Best Loop Score of 5,949, its Lowest Loop Score fell to 3,037, resulting in 51% stability. This shows that sustained GPU performance is considerably lower than peak performance under a prolonged, demanding workload. While most users won’t place this kind of continuous load on the phone, it is worth considering for extended gaming sessions or other graphics-intensive tasks.

No benchmark can completely reproduce the way someone uses a smartphone. However, by combining CPU, GPU, AI, productivity, and sustained-performance testing, we get a much more complete picture of what the Galaxy Z Fold8’s hardware is capable of. The results largely support Samsung’s positioning of the Fold8 as a high-performance flagship, while also showing that peak performance and sustained performance are two very different things.

Conclusion

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 has left me with a somewhat unexpected conclusion. I went into this review expecting to evaluate another generation of Samsung’s foldable hardware, but I came away genuinely impressed by how mature the overall experience has become. The hardware is excellent, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy provides plenty of performance, the displays are impressive, and One UI 9 is considerably more polished than I remember from my previous experiences with Samsung.

The Fold8 also demonstrated why foldable smartphones continue to be interesting. The larger inner display isn’t simply a novelty. For reading, typing, multitasking, and working with content, it can fundamentally change how you use a smartphone. At the same time, the device remains relatively compact when closed, making the form factor surprisingly practical.

The biggest drawback is the price. The Fold8 is an expensive smartphone, and while the hardware helps justify some of that premium, buyers need to decide whether the foldable form factor provides enough additional value to warrant the cost. The 3DMark results also show that while the Fold8 delivers excellent peak performance, sustained GPU performance can drop considerably under prolonged workloads.

The Galaxy Z Fold8 isn’t perfect, and it doesn’t have to be. What matters is that Samsung has continued refining the concept rather than simply making a phone that folds. The Fold8 feels like a mature flagship with a different approach to what a smartphone can be. For users who want a larger screen without carrying a tablet, it is one of the most compelling options available. For those deeply invested in another ecosystem, however, the decision is more complicated.

For me, the Fold8 doesn’t replace my iPhone. It does something arguably more interesting: it made me enjoy using a Samsung phone.

For more information, visit Samsung.com

NTT Docomo and Samsung Electronics validated AI-RAN technology which optimises user experience at an individual level to cut service issues, a feat the pair asserted is an important step towards predictive architecture expected to be prevalent in 6G.

The companies explained the technology tested in a trial earlier this year in Japan uses AI to analyse a user’s movement patterns and behaviour to predict potential service degradation before it happens.

Rather than applying the same network configuration to every device connected to a base station, the technology tested is meant to tailor each user’s experience depending on real-time network conditions and their expected actions.

The companies noted the traditional approach led to connectivity drops in areas of weak signal and other degradation issues, stating increased demand for high bandwidth services meant users increasingly required greater stability.

Validation tests for the AI-RAN optimisation technology reduced the frequency of data rate degradation from 13% to 7%.

The companies expect the technology to “usher in an era where networks autonomously recognise user contexts and service requirements, delivering optimal communication environments”, stating it is an important step towards predictive network operations.

They added this is needed as “AI-driven network optimisation becomes increasingly prevalent in the 6G network”.

JinGuk Jeong, EVP and head of the Advanced Communications Research Centre at Samsung Electronics, said “by shifting our research focus from overall cell performance to AI-driven individual user considerations, we have demonstrated the potential for enhanced perceived quality at the user level”.

The executive added through further collaboration with its partner, it would “continue securing core technologies for future communications centred around users”.

Samsung and NTT added they also developed a related data collection process to minimise the network burden during optimisation.

The post Samsung, NTT add a personal touch to AI-RAN tests appeared first on Mobile World Live.

Novel squat Android opens to an iPad-like screen for video or multitasking, with plenty of power and battery life

Samsung’s latest folding phone breaks the mould with a squat, passport-like shape reminiscent of the Blackberry, which opens up to become a tablet similar to an iPad mini. It is certainly a better shape for a tablet than other designs, but is a short and wide phone when closed a compromise too far?

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is an entirely new variant in Samsung’s foldable family for this year launched alongside the Z Fold 8 Ultra with a more familiar candy bar shape. Both folders are extremely expensive, with the Fold 8 starting at £1,699 (€1,999/$1,899.99/A$2,699) and the Fold 8 Ultra at £1,899 (€2,199/$2,099.99/A$2,999), with RAMageddon driving up prices even at the top of the market.