We Tested the Newly Released Galaxy Z Flip 8
Samsung's new foldable phone brings a refined design and powerful performance, but charging speed still lags behind the competition.
Samsung's new foldable phone brings a refined design and powerful performance, but charging speed still lags behind the competition.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 has hit the market as the latest foldable phone from the South Korean tech giant, and we had the chance to put it through its paces. While the device doesn't bring dramatic changes compared to last year's model at first glance, it's a more polished product that impresses with its design and capabilities. However, one aspect left us somewhat disappointed: the battery charging speed.
The Galaxy Z Flip 8 retains the signature formula that made it popular. When open, it's incredibly thin-just 6.1 millimeters-while closed, it measures 13.1 millimeters thick. Weighing in at 180 grams, the phone feels exceptionally comfortable to hold and use. Our review unit came in a pink variant that, despite our initial skepticism, looks quite attractive in person, and the matte finish on the back effectively repels fingerprints. In addition to pink, it's also available in graphite and cream.
The inner display is a 6.9-inch LTPO Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with a resolution of 2,520 x 1,080 pixels and an adaptive refresh rate ranging from 1 to 120 Hz. The picture is sharp and fluid, with brightness sufficient even for the sunniest days. The crease at the fold is only visible at certain angles and when the screen is off, while in everyday use it completely disappears from view. The 4.1-inch cover screen is now even more useful-beyond quick notification checks, it allows you to write messages, make calls, use navigation, and even watch videos on Netflix and YouTube.
At the heart of the device is Samsung's Exynos 2600 processor, paired with 12 GB of RAM. In our test unit with 256 GB of storage, the phone proved to be exceptionally fast. Apps open in a flash, multitasking is smooth, and demanding games like Genshin Impact and Call of Duty run without noticeable stuttering. After extended gaming sessions, we noticed slight warming around the hinge and cover screen, but nothing uncomfortable.
The camera system consists of a 50 MP main camera, a 12 MP ultra-wide, and a 10 MP inner selfie camera. Daylight photos from the main camera are full of detail and pleasing colors, although Samsung's processing still occasionally boosts hues a bit. The ultra-wide camera performs best in good lighting, while night shots are noticeably weaker. What's missing is a telephoto camera, so zooming relies on digital zoom. Video recording goes up to 4K at 60 FPS with excellent stabilization.
The biggest advantage comes from the foldable design itself. The cover screen serves as a viewfinder, allowing you to take selfies with the much higher-quality main camera. The phone can be partially folded and set on a table like a mini tripod, which is ideal for group photos, video calls, or shooting content for TikTok. Particularly interesting is the option to record simultaneously with the front and rear cameras, similar to the iPhone 17, which is great for vloggers.
Here we come to the part that disappointed us. The Galaxy Z Flip 8 is equipped with a 4,300 mAh battery, which is somewhat weaker than the competition. In our testing, the phone delivered around six hours of active use, which is enough for most users to get through a full day with a typical mix of social media, photography, and messaging. However, the charging speed of just 25 W is below expectations for a device in this class. In our test, charging from 0 to 100 percent took about an hour and 20 minutes, which isn't particularly fast. If you only charge overnight, this information won't be a dealbreaker, but for those accustomed to quick top-ups during the day, this could be a serious drawback.
The phone comes with the new One UI 9 interface, based on Android 17. The interface is clean and intuitive, and there are Galaxy AI features like Now Brief, which shows personalized information on the cover screen. Photo Assist for advanced photo editing and tools for translation and removing unwanted sounds from videos are particularly noteworthy. A major advantage is Samsung's promise of seven years of software support, meaning the device will receive OS upgrades and security updates through 2033.
The base model with 256 GB of storage costs €1,299, while the 512 GB version goes for €1,499. That's a high price, typical for foldable phones, but seasonal promotions and carrier deals should soften it over time. The Galaxy Z Flip 8 is a refined foldable phone with an attractive design, strong performance, and useful AI features. It will best suit users who prioritize a compact form factor and foldable functionality over the fastest battery life and most versatile cameras. For all these reasons, it earns our rating of 4/5.
