I’m not concerned about the thickness of the Galaxy Z Fold 8, and these two foldable devices illustrate precisely why.

      Each year, manufacturers of foldable phones take great pride in reducing the thickness of their latest models by a small fraction of a millimeter. Samsung exemplifies this trend, offering some of the sleekest flexible devices on the market. While older foldables were bulky and heavy, the latest versions are now reaching sizes comparable to standard flagship phones.

      After using the Motorola Razr Fold and Honor Magic V6 and comparing them to Samsung’s new Galaxy Z Fold 8, I've realized that the most valued hardware aspects are not necessarily related to which phone is the slimmest. I would prefer to sacrifice a little width for a more practical hinge and a larger battery.

      Motorola has made its extra thickness worthwhile.

      The Motorola Razr Fold, when closed, measures 9.89mm thick, making it about a millimeter thicker than its ultra-slim competitors like the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Honor Magic V6. It also weighs more at 243 grams, which I noticed during my review. However, I was impressed by how much Motorola managed to include in this device.

      Its 6,000mAh battery provided an average screen-on time of around seven hours in mixed usage and often lasted into the next afternoon before needing a recharge. Additionally, it features 80W wired charging and 50W wireless charging. One of my main worries about Motorola’s initial book-style foldable was its hinge, but it turned out to be one of its strongest features.

      The hinge offers sufficient resistance to instill confidence, and tests have revealed that it remains stable at nearly any angle without noticeable wobbling. I can prop the Razr Fold up for photos, utilize the Moto Pen Ultra as a remote shutter, set it to tent mode, or adjust the two halves as needed. Additionally, Motorola designed a desk experience leveraging the tent position.

      This versatility was something I quickly missed using the Galaxy Z Fold 8. Though the device is exceptionally crafted and feels incredibly premium, its impressive thinness appears to come at the cost of hinge flexibility.

      Honor demonstrates that thinness doesn't need to compromise functionality.

      In contrast, the Magic V6 measures just 8.75mm when folded and 4mm when unfolded in its slimmest configuration, yet it houses a 6,660mAh silicon-carbon battery. Honor also provides 80W wired and 66W wireless charging. Most importantly, this level of thinness was achieved without compromising the hinge's functionality. In our Digital Trends review, the Magic V6 maintained a reliable range between approximately 50 and 140 degrees. It snaps firmly when fully opened or closed but still allows for a functional range in between.

      A focus on making phones thinner should stem from engineering advancements. I want a slimmer device that maintains battery life, durability, and the distinct features that set foldables apart from traditional phones.

      Samsung presents a strong case for thinness, but…

      To Samsung’s credit, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is perhaps the best example of why reducing the thickness of a foldable is beneficial. In our hands-on experience, we praised how significantly more pocket-friendly it has become. Weighing just 201 grams, it's lighter than many standard flagships like the iPhone 17 Pro, and the smaller 5.5-inch cover display makes it easier to use with one hand. When opened, the 7.6-inch 4:3 display provides a more natural aspect ratio for movies, games, books, and other content compared to the squarer screens typical in book-style foldables.

      Therefore, this newfound thinness is advantageous. The Fold 8 is more convenient to carry and handle, and its redesigned proportions genuinely enhance usability. However, my concern arises when the pursuit of a slimmer form factor begins to detract from other elements of the experience. The standard Galaxy Z Fold 8 is equipped with a 4,800mAh battery, while the Fold 8 Ultra has a 5,000mAh capacity. In comparison, Motorola fits a 6,000mAh battery into the Razr Fold, and Honor offers even more with the Magic V6. Currently, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 provides approximately 6 hours of screen-on time, which is decent but still lags behind the Razr Fold and Magic V6.

      Additionally, the regular Z Fold 8 has eliminated Flex Mode, a feature retained only by the Fold 8 Ultra. This change may relate to the new hinge design and crease-control focus, but it is one you'll notice right away. The Razr Fold is only slightly thicker than the standard Fold 8, yet Motorola still manages to provide a 6,000mAh battery and a hinge sturdy enough to hold various angles.

      Foldables are sufficiently thin.

      I’m not suggesting that manufacturers return to the bulky first-generation foldable phones or halt innovation, as seen with the Z Fold 8 Ultra. Making these devices thinner and lighter has undoubtedly been crucial to their advancement.