Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra’s side fingerprint sensor challenges under-display scanners

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Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra has brought attention to an overlooked part of smartphone design: the fingerprint sensor. While premium phones such as the Galaxy S26 Ultra continue to use in-display fingerprint readers, Samsung’s latest foldables place the scanner on the side-mounted power button. Samsung officially lists the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra and Galaxy Z Fold8 among its devices with side-mounted fingerprint scanners.

The approach is less futuristic on paper, but a recent hands-on assessment highlighted how the physical sensor can make biometric setup feel quicker and more natural. The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra is priced at ₹1,99,999 in India, putting the fingerprint experience on a flagship device where small usability details can have a noticeable impact.

Key Highlights

• Side-mounted power-button fingerprint sensor

• Quick registration with fewer finger movements

• Easy one-handed access on foldable design

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra puts hardware first

The fingerprint sensor on the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra sits on the side-mounted power key, allowing the thumb to naturally reach it while holding the folded phone. Samsung has retained the same basic placement on the standard Galaxy Z Fold8.

According to the hands-on assessment that prompted the comparison, registering a fingerprint on the Z Fold series does not require repeatedly lifting and repositioning the finger. Instead, the finger can remain on the sensor while being moved around, reducing the number of interruptions during setup.

That contrasts with the Galaxy S26 Ultra, which uses an in-display ultrasonic fingerprint reader. Samsung’s official support documentation confirms the S26 Ultra belongs to its in-display fingerprint range, while the Z Fold8 Ultra uses the side button.

Side sensor changes the fingerprint setup experience

Fingerprint registration is a small part of setting up a smartphone, but it can influence the first impression of a device. The side-mounted approach removes some of the positioning prompts commonly associated with registering an in-display sensor.

The comparison also suggests that speed does not necessarily come at the expense of accuracy. The reviewer found comparable accuracy between the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Galaxy S26 Ultra and Google Pixel 11 Pro during regular use.

The difference is therefore more about interaction than biometric capability. A physical sensor provides a defined location that can be found by touch, while an under-display reader requires the user to position a finger over a particular area of the screen.

Samsung’s foldables make a case for physical controls

The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra’s approach also highlights a broader design question around hardware buttons versus increasingly invisible smartphone components. Samsung has moved many biometric systems beneath displays, but its latest foldables demonstrate that a physical control can remain practical on an expensive modern phone.

Samsung launched the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra in India as part of its 2026 foldable lineup, with the device combining a foldable form factor and flagship hardware.

For users who prioritise fingerprint unlocking, the side-mounted implementation offers a familiar interaction without giving up the large, uninterrupted foldable display. It may not make under-display technology obsolete, but it shows why a well-placed physical sensor remains relevant in 2026.