The price went up. You knew that was coming.
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 8 launches at $1,200. That’s a hundred dollars more than last year’s Z Flip 7 started at for the same 256GB storage. A steep jump for a phone that folds.
But the hardware changes are subtle. The real story here is how much better the cover screen actually works. If you’ve been waiting for the best flip phone experience in 2025, the Z Flip 8 might finally be it.
Thinner, Lighter, and Actually Practical
Holding the device, the first thing you notice is the weight. It’s gone. Samsung says the Z Flip 8 tips the scales at just 180 grams. When it launches, it will be the lightest foldable flip phone on the market. Period.
Unfolded, it’s 6.1mm thick. Compare that to the 6.8mm of the Z Flip 7 or the clunky 7.2mm of the Motorola Razr Ultra. It’s noticeably thinner. Does a half-millimeter matter? Maybe not. But 30 grams of lost weight? You’ll feel that in your pocket.
The Cover Screen Finally Makes Sense
This is where Samsung listened. Or maybe they just got scared of Motorola.
Previously, putting apps on the cover screen of a Samsung flip was a chore. You had to dig through settings menus. It was annoying. With the Z Flip 8, you open the app drawer, scroll up, and tap “Add apps.” Boom. Any installed app goes straight to the cover screen. It mimics the ease of use found on newer Razr models. Much better.
Even more surprising? A “Recent apps” button.
Yes. Really.
Why did it take this long? Switching tasks is basic Android functionality. Before, if I was looking at Maps for train directions while listening to music, switching back to my messages meant killing the cover screen experience entirely. Now, I just swipe. It’s direct. It’s fast. It’s something the Razr already did. Samsung finally caught up.
Camera Tricks and AI Flair
The specs inside haven’t changed much, but the features have. The Z Flip 8 borrows tech from the Galaxy S26 line.
The video camera now has “Super Steady” with a horizontal lock. If you’re filming while walking, it smooths out the shake without distorting the image. I tested it. It works well.
There’s also “My Fan Cam.” It’s a gimmick, but a fun one. Galaxy AI identifies a subject in your frame and crops the video to follow them exclusively. The rest of the scene blurs or stays static. The focus stays glued to the person. It’s great for concerts or chaotic group videos.
Under the Hood: Same Chips, Same Battery
Powering all this is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (customized for Galaxy). It’s the same chip in the Z Fold 8 and S26 phones. Performance shouldn’t be an issue.
Everything else is a carryover from the Z Flip 7:
- Internal Display: 6.9-inch
- Cover Screen: 4.1-inch
- Rear Cameras: 50MP wide-angle, 12MP ultrawide
- Selfie Camera: 10MP
- Battery: 4,300 mAh
- Charging: 25W wired, 15W wireless
Here is the question. Will the new processor drain the battery faster? Or is it efficient enough to squeeze out more life from that unchanged 4,300 mAh cell? We won’t know until we have it in our hands for a week.
Worth the Hike?
The phone comes in Pink, Graphite, and Cream. Mint is exclusive to online orders. Preorders start today. Retail kicks off August 7.
So, why pay $100 more?
If you care about physical size, yes. It’s lighter and thinner. But if you use your flip phone closed most of the day—which is the whole point of buying one—the software updates are the real value. The cover screen is no longer a glorified lock screen widget. It’s a usable interface.
Still. A hundred bucks is a lot. Motorola is waiting in the shadows.
Maybe next year Samsung drops the price.
