The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 (2026) supports Expert RAW in DNG format and has no mechanical shutter — the image counter stored in each DNG file records total electronic captures. Drop an Expert RAW DNG file to read it instantly.
Check Image Counter →The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 (released July 2026) is Samsung’s eighth-generation book-style foldable smartphone, powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 — the same chip found in the Galaxy S26 series. The main inner Flex Window display grows to 8.5 inches, while the cover display measures 6.5 inches. The redesigned hinge offers a flatter fold profile and the same 200,000-fold durability rating as its predecessors. Second-generation Galaxy AI camera enhancements deliver improved subject isolation, Nightography processing, and Zoom Anywhere on the foldable form factor.
Like all Samsung Galaxy foldables, the Z Fold 8 uses CMOS electronic readout only. There is no mechanical focal-plane shutter. The image counter embedded in Expert RAW DNG files provides a reliable indicator of total usage intensity.
| Model | Release | Main Display | Chip | RAW Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galaxy Z Fold 8 | 2026 | 8.5″ Flex Window | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 | Expert RAW (DNG) |
| Galaxy Z Fold 7 | 2025 | 8.2″ Flex Window | Snapdragon 8 Elite | Expert RAW (DNG) |
| Galaxy Z Fold 6 | 2024 | 7.6″ Flex Window | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Expert RAW (DNG) |
| Galaxy S26 Ultra | 2026 | 6.9″ flat | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 | Expert RAW (DNG) |
.dng extension.exiftool -ImageNumber yourfile.dng to read the counter from the command line.| What to Check | How |
|---|---|
| Battery health | Settings → Battery and device care → Battery. Samsung reports charge cycle count and health %; below 80% warrants consideration |
| Hinge mechanism | Open and close the fold 20–30 times. The Z Fold 8 hinge is rated for 200,000 folds; feel for grinding or uneven resistance indicating early wear |
| Inner 8.5″ display | Check the fold crease, inspect for screen burn on the status bar and gesture navigation area, and look for delamination along the fold line |
| Cover 6.5″ display | Inspect for scratches and test touch responsiveness; the cover display handles most one-handed interactions |
| Camera lenses | Check all rear lenses for scratches or fogging; test each focal length in turn |
| Chassis integrity | Inspect the frame edges and corners for dents or stress marks that could affect the hinge seal and IPX8 water resistance |
| Image counter | High count (>50,000) indicates intensive camera use — useful context, not a failure signal |
No. All Samsung Galaxy foldables use CMOS electronic readout only. There is no focal-plane shutter mechanism in the Z Fold 8.
Install Samsung Expert RAW from the Galaxy Store and enable RAW capture. The native Camera app Pro mode may also save DNG files depending on your Galaxy OS version.
The Z Fold 8 upgrades to the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 (vs Snapdragon 8 Elite on the Z Fold 7), expands the inner display to 8.5 inches (from 8.2 inches), and refines the hinge for a flatter closed profile. Galaxy AI camera features receive second-generation improvements. Both models use Expert RAW DNG with the same image counter format.
No. The image counter is stored in persistent device memory and cannot be reset by a factory reset or firmware update.
The S26 Ultra has a 200 MP main camera and a four-camera rear system with a built-in S Pen — designed for dedicated photography use. The Z Fold 8 offers a refined triple-camera system in its foldable chassis, prioritising the large inner display experience. For photography-first use, the S26 Ultra leads; for versatility as a camera/tablet hybrid, the Z Fold 8 is unmatched.