The Galaxy Z Fold 8 doesn’t actually have MagSafe built in — Samsung only offers the magnet functionality through their own „Magnet Cases“ instead (they obviously can’t use the MagSafe name, that belongs to Apple). So I wanted to know for sure: how strong is Samsung’s magnet system really, compared directly to genuine MagSafe on the iPhone 17 Pro Max? Measured with a real pull-force gauge, not just by feel.
The Test Setup
I tested three setups: Samsung’s official Clear Magnet Case (55 euros), a military-standard case from Subcase (90 euros), and the iPhone 17 Pro Max itself — once completely bare, and once with a prototype case I can’t reveal yet. My reference point was the previous record from my power bank test: the Anker Nano needed a full kilogram of pull force before it came off the iPhone.
Samsung Clear Magnet Case: 0.94 Kilograms
With the original Samsung case (which I also reviewed critically in my separate breakdown of which case protects best), it took 0.94 kilograms of pull force to release the Fold 8 from the stand. A solid result, but still below the Anker reference value from the iPhone.
Subcase Military Case: 1.52 Kilograms — Noticeably Stronger
Things got a lot more interesting with the 90-euro Subcase: 1.52 kilograms of pull force, noticeably stronger hold than Samsung’s official solution — and even beating my previous Anker reference value on the iPhone. Without a case, this simply doesn’t work on the Fold 8 at all; the body itself is barely magnetic, far too weak to actually hold anything.
And the iPhone?
With the iPhone 17 Pro Max completely bare, I measured 1.27 kilograms — already stronger than both Samsung solutions. With a prototype case I can’t name just yet, that number jumped to an impressive 2 kilograms. A result that genuinely surprised me too.
My Verdict
Genuine MagSafe on the iPhone remains stronger than anything Samsung currently offers for the Z Fold 8 — which makes sense, since the technology comes from Apple after all. But with the right third-party case, like this Subcase military option, you can get impressively close to iPhone-level strength and even beat my previous benchmark. For everyday use like a car mount, Samsung’s own case is easily strong enough — but if you want maximum holding power, a third-party option is worth the extra cost, even at 90 euros.
By the way, if you’re looking to properly protect your iPhone alongside all this Fold 8 testing, it’s also worth checking out my current iPhone 17 Pro screen protector rankings — especially since MagSafe accessories getting attached and removed constantly is exactly the kind of wear that makes extra screen protection worthwhile.
The full case test video with protection and feel ratings for every Fold 8 option is still coming — until then, which case are you currently using on your Fold 8? Let me know in the comments.