I thought losing Flex Mode would ruin the Galaxy Z Fold 8 — I was completely wrong

When I first heard of Samsung’s plans to make a wide Galaxy Z Fold 8, I knew I’d want one in my pocket. The 16:10 cover screen and 4:3 main screen aspect ratios sounded perfect for widescreen content consumption, and made for a compact form factor when shut. Before I bought a Galaxy Z Fold 8 for myself, I skimmed the spec sheet and looked for any notable downgrades. Neither the slightly smaller battery nor the rear dual-camera system disappointed me, but the lack of Flex Mode initially stunned me.

Flex Mode allows you to prop up a foldable like a laptop. It uses a mix of hardware that keeps the hinge in a fixed position and software that makes the most of the split-screen UI. I’ve been using Flex Mode on Samsung foldables since the Galaxy Z Flip 3, and it became my preferred way to watch videos on a table or desk.