The market for clamshell foldable phones is going through a transition, and Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 8 could mark the end of this device category. After spending time with the latest generation, clear signs indicate that the Korean manufacturer is considering abandoning the flip format, despite the high-quality hardware offered by this model.
Excellent hardware but with minimal innovations
The Galaxy Z Flip 8 represents the best you can ask for from a flip foldable. The build quality is top-notch, even if it doesn't introduce substantial novelties compared to the past. Compared to the Flip 7, it benefits from the same improvements seen on the Fold 8, including an easier-to-open hinge, a less visible display crease, and an anti-reflective inner display that greatly enhances the user experience. The thickness has also been reduced by about one millimeter, making the device more comfortable in pocket and hand, without sacrificing battery capacity thanks to the new silicon-carbon technology. However, the 4,300 mAh battery still offers mediocre endurance, and the performance of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor is as smooth as expected, with good thermal management. The return to Snapdragon after a year of Exynos-only is appreciated, but the cameras remain unchanged and One UI 9 does not present significant innovations.
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Stagnant software and limits of the cover display
The real disappointment comes from the software, which seems to have stopped in time. The main novelty this year is the integration of artificial intelligence with the FlexWindow, the cover screen, offering contextual notifications and a redesigned experience to be more similar to that of the main phone. But due to time constraints, it was not possible to thoroughly test these features, which require weeks to learn user habits. Furthermore, the selection of supported apps on the external display remains very limited, with only a few default Samsung apps and the need to install MultiStar via Good Lock to extend support to 50 additional apps. This process is cumbersome and unintuitive, and the lack of dedicated settings in the main menu makes the experience frustrating.
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Comparison with the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and an uncertain future
The Galaxy Z Flip 8 is a good device, but its form factor is losing ground to the Galaxy Z Fold 8, which with its new shape offers a better compromise. When folded, the Fold 8 is not much bigger than the Flip, but it has a fully functional external screen and a much larger internal screen when opened. Samsung has stated that more Flip owners are switching to the Fold, and this trend could lead the company to reduce the frequency of Flip updates or even discontinue it. With Motorola dominating the flip phone market, Samsung might decide to focus on other form factors. The Galaxy Z Flip 8 is priced at $1,199, with pre-orders open until August 7, and offers up to $600 off with trade-in. Despite its excellent features, the future of flip phones appears increasingly niche, and this model could be the last of its kind.
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Source: https://9to5google.com/2026/08/06/samsung-galaxy-z-flip-8
