Foldables Tested: Samsung Dominates Speed, Faces Signal Woes

Ahead of the upcoming iPhone Duo launch, a comprehensive benchmark report from Ookla evaluates the performance of leading Android foldable devices. The study highlights the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra as the top performer in download and upload speeds, with the base Fold8 model also showing strong results. However, the Fold8 series did not match the signal quality performance of its slab counterpart, the Galaxy S26 Ultra. The Galaxy Z Fold6 emerged with the best overall signal quality scores across different conditions.

The report also notes temperature performance, with the Galaxy Z Fold7 running coolest and the Flip6 the hottest. Trends show Samsung has improved speed and signal strength with each generation, but curiously, newer models like the Fold8 and Fold8 Ultra have regressed in signal strength under poor conditions compared to the Fold6. Additionally, the Fold8 and Fold8 Ultra experienced a decline in throttling performance due to overheating, unlike the Fold7. Samsung continues to dominate the foldable market, holding over 77% of the share, though competitors are making inroads.