Samsung’s latest foldables are having a benchmark controversy, right out of the gate (Updated)

TL;DR Samsung just launched its latest foldables, the Galaxy Z Fold 8, Z Fold 8 Ultra, and Z Flip 8. Units currently in the hand of testers are refusing to install popular benchmark apps. Samsung confirms to Android Authority that it’s aware of this behavior, and is working to resolve it.

Update, July 23, 2026 (1:21 PM ET): After installing Samsung’s software fix, Android Authority can confirm that the company’s new foldables are no longer blocked from installing benchmark apps through the Play Store. Original article, July 23, 2026 (12:37 PM ET): Benchmark figures are a bit of a double-edged sword. On one hand, it’s incredibly useful to be able to summarize a phone’s capabilities in the form of a few easily comparable numbers.

But the flip side of that is a mire of misleading tests, oversimplifications, and that lingering specter of benchmark manipulation . Nonetheless, every time we come across a compelling new phone — like any of Samsung’s latest foldables — we’re at least curious what the benchmark performance would look like. But with the Galaxy Z8 series, Samsung appears to be taking deliberate steps to block benchmark apps.