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Motorola could have kickstarted the fashionable flip cellphone, however Samsung popularized it, and for years the Galaxy Z Flip collection was the usual for a classy, pocketable foldable. Now that the Galaxy Z Flip 8 is out, it arrives at a tumultuous time for each flip telephones and smartphones usually.
On the plus facet, the Galaxy Z Flip 8 undercuts and is, in some methods, the higher purchase than Motorola’s Razr Extremely 2026, one thing I by no means thought I might say. And regardless of rumors suggesting the Flip 8 often is the final of its variety from Samsung, it receives some notable modifications that I believe even Motorola can study from.
Nevertheless, with the worth improve, few precise {hardware} upgrades, and the launch of the very compelling Galaxy Z Fold 8, it’s changing into more durable to justify shopping for the Galaxy Z Flip 8.
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If it ain’t broke…
I did not get to make use of the Galaxy Z Flip 7, however I used to be jealous of its skinny profile, particularly when in comparison with the Razr Extremely 2025. The Galaxy Z Flip 8 goes additional with an excellent thinner chassis, and it is noticeably lighter than the Razr Extremely 2026. It is fairly spectacular, particularly since flip telephones turn into fairly thick when folded in half, so this goes a good distance in direction of making it actually pocketable.
That stated, that thinness comes at a little bit of a worth: the battery is far smaller than the Razr’s, clocking in at simply 4,300mAh. That is unchanged from its predecessor, and whereas it may possibly get me by a day, I have never been capable of squeeze way more out of it. Additionally unchanged is the charging velocity, which, at 25W, feels fairly sluggish for a $1,200 smartphone.
(Picture credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)
Luckily, efficiency is something however sluggish, due to the beefed-up Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and 12GB of RAM, which is as snappy as you’d anticipate. I play Honkai: Star Rail on the very best obtainable settings and the cellphone would not falter. The one factor I discover when doing any heavy gaming is the highest half of the cellphone getting reasonably heat, however that is nothing new for flip telephones, given their restricted inner area for issues like a copper vapor chamber.
Past the general efficiency, a advantage of the newer chip is best AI capabilities and entry to newer options. Galaxy AI and Gemini Intelligence are discovered all through the expertise, and options like Now Transient and Now Nudge preserve me updated on my day and make it simpler to seize the knowledge or content material I want after I want it.
Gemini Display screen Automation additionally helps extra apps, although I not often discover a lot want for it, other than ordering meals after I’m too lazy to open an app myself (is that this what we have come to?).
The primary show hasn’t modified a lot, and sadly Samsung’s new Titanium Flex is not obtainable right here, so the crease is not as inconspicuous as on the Galaxy Z Fold 8. That stated, the crease feels very shallow, and dare I say, it feels even higher than my Razr Extremely 2026.
My solely annoyance is that the hinge joint protrudes fairly a bit on both finish of the display, which kind of ruins the seamless really feel of the show.
That stated, the hinge stays comparatively stiff, so I can open the Flip 8 to as large as 45 levels earlier than it falls again. It is also a lot simpler to flip the cellphone open with one finger and slam it shut, due to the redesigned show bumpers and a extra forgiving hinge mechanism.
The duvet display will get (largely) fastened!
That stated, how the principle show feels would not matter a lot to me, as a result of most of my time with the Galaxy Z Flip 8 has been spent with the quilt display. Earlier variations of Samsung’s cowl display that I used felt half-baked, however the firm did one thing new this yr by integrating Now Transient into the quilt display and making it the default house display. It is actually fairly good, and it turns the quilt display right into a hub for updates in your day and actions.
However that is simply the beginning of Samsung’s cowl display overhaul. The corporate revamped the expertise in order that it acts extra like the principle UI. Which means swiping down permits the Fast Settings menu, whereas swiping up reveals the app drawer. This differs from earlier variations, the place apps have been obtainable on a separate panel.
(Picture credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)
What I like about that is that it defaults to Samsung’s first-party apps whereas offering quick access to third-party apps, that are sectioned off beneath. Samsung additionally makes it straightforward to entry third-party apps, with a button to obtain the MultiStar module from Good Lock once you first set it up.
I discover this new UI fairly efficient, making the quilt display way more accessible and helpful than earlier variations. I believe Motorola may even take a notice from Samsung’s revamped UI, because it nonetheless retains its apps on a separate panel.
Plus, any further panels you create will be stuffed with app widgets, and a few, like Spotify, will take up a whole widget panel. Sadly, not each widget is offered on the quilt display, however there is a good quantity to make them helpful.
(Picture credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)
As for utilizing apps, the expertise is basically the identical, however with some fascinating updates. Apps can now open in three completely different side ratios: full display, cropped up (to keep away from the cameras), or in portrait mode for a extra full app expertise with black bars on both facet.
There is a button on the backside that allows you to simply change the app’s side ratio, which turns out to be useful relying on the app you are utilizing. The one draw back is that, for some purpose, the app would not keep that method if I swap apps or return to the house display after which again to the app, and I discover myself consistently switching views.
After all, you may nonetheless use the digicam with the quilt display for selfies, and also you get fast entry to pictures, movies, and portrait mode. There’s additionally an fascinating Flip Shot characteristic that I did not perceive at first, however I believe it is meant so as to add a bit of razzle-dazzle to your mirror selfies by displaying varied graphics on the quilt display. And since I take a number of mirror selfies with the digicam preview on, this might be a great way to point out off the Z Flip 8.
However as for the precise cameras, they’re largely the identical, and picture high quality is sweet however not spectacular. In good lighting, pictures look wonderful, and the cameras even do an excellent job of freezing time, so that you will be certain your canine pictures ought to come out properly sufficient. The draw back is that you would be able to’t get too near your topics, as there is no Macro Mode, not like on the Razr Extremely.
I additionally love the My FanCam characteristic, which might take any video and reframe it to deal with one topic, equivalent to your child or a good friend. It is simply the most effective modifying options Samsung has launched in recent times, and a good way to make social-media-ready clips.
Must you purchase the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8?
On the surface, the Galaxy Z Flip 8 is a minor replace from its predecessor. A brand new chipset and smaller chassis are welcome modifications, though I want the battery and cameras had been upgraded.
The software program is the star of the present, and Samsung’s One UI continues to be extra helpful, whether or not you are utilizing the principle show or cowl display. That stated, for $100 greater than the Galaxy Z Flip 7, I am unsure it is price spending this a lot on a cellphone that Samsung appears largely tired of nowadays.
The Galaxy Z Flip 8 is sweet, however it’s not $1,200 good. If you could find a low cost, nonetheless, I might say go for it, or seize the Motorola Razr Extremely 2026 if you could find a ok deal.
