With the Galaxy Z Flip 8, I use the camera and apps via the front display
5.8.2026
Translation: machine translated
Pictures: Michelle Brändle
Whether it's a selfie stick or a compact pocket phone: The Galaxy Z Flip 8 scores in everyday life, but even in its eighth generation, it still struggles with familiar weaknesses.
If I want to take photos, make calendar entries, or play games on the Galaxy Z Flip 8, I can access the respective apps directly on the outer display. The selection is still limited. With the Galaxy Z Flip 7, I had to make do with widgets and third-party apps as a workaround.
Otherwise, Samsung has installed a better chip and tweaked the software compared to the Flip 7.
Same design, (slightly) more possibilities
Visually, Samsung only offers new colors compared to the previous model. While I like the design aesthetically, it's not particularly ergonomic – and the center of gravity is too high: when I open the foldable, I can't operate it with one hand because the upper part is too heavy. The device always tips backward. Yet, the foldable is very light at 180 grams.
The smartphone has an IP-48 certification. This means it's protected against moisture (30 minutes in 1.5 meters of water is possible), but you should keep fine dust and particles under one millimeter in diameter away from the device.
With the continuous 4.1-inch AMOLED display with 1048 × 948 pixels, I get the same outer display as on the Z Flip 7. Inside, nothing changes either: a 6.9-inch AMOLED display with 2520 × 1080 pixels and a refresh rate of 120 Hertz. It reaches a peak brightness of 2600 nits. This won't burn your retina, but it's enough for clear visibility even in sunlight.
The outer display has more to offer
Samsung promises more possibilities on the outer display for the first time, thanks to apps instead of just widgets. In the test, the sobering truth: I can finally use apps, but only to a limited extent.
If I want to use more than the twelve pre-installed apps, I'm directed to Samsung's "Multistar" app on the display. If I download it, I can put any apps on the outer display and adjust them in three formats. For example, the camera isn't in the way. It's a shame it doesn't work without it.
With competitor Motorola (Razr series), I have more pre-installed apps that work well on the outer display. They come with the right format, and images and text are displayed larger.
Not all apps I use daily are equally practical. Instagram, for example, displays everything a bit too small. Spotify also doesn't look very chic. Motorola has done a better job there.
Samsung's calculator and a Sudoku app I found in the Play Store are more fun. And I can even write emails without problems on the outer display. More of this, please, Samsung!
Hardware remains the same except for the new chip
Samsung uses its in-house Exynos 2600 in the Z Flip 8. Although the predecessor Flip had an older chip, the benchmark results are almost identical. The competition is also on par: the Motorola Razr 70 Ultra features a Snapdragon 8 Elite.
The battery remains the same size as the Flip 7 at 4300 mAh. Samsung promises 31 hours of video playback. My PCMark benchmark simulates everyday use for watching videos, browsing, and image editing. The Galaxy Z Flip 8 runs for 14.5 hours. This isn't outstanding, but it's at least three hours more than its predecessor. It's also good enough for a day. Afterwards, I recharge it with up to 25 watts in 1.5 hours.
The Galaxy Z Flip 8 sometimes struggles with cooling: for example, the upper half quickly gets warm when I play games. I measure over 43 degrees Celsius with graphics-intensive games like "Wuthering Waves" and "Genshin Impact". This doesn't feel comfortable in hand. To prevent it from getting even hotter – and to still be able to play smoothly – the device throttles significantly from the start. The Flip is still not a gaming smartphone.
The camera remains the same
Samsung uses the same cameras in the Galaxy Z Flip 8 as in the Galaxy Z Flip 7. Thanks to the foldable form factor, I can easily take a selfie with the wide-angle camera. The following lenses are installed:
- Wide-angle/Main camera: 50 MP, f/1.8, 1/1.57", two-times optical quality zoom
- Ultra-wide-angle: 12 MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2"
- Selfie: 10 MP, f/2.2
I initially like the photos in good lighting conditions. However, when viewing them on a computer, I repeatedly notice how the contours get lost, as if the software over-processes them. This doesn't happen with a portrait, but it does when subjects are particularly far away or particularly close.
Samsung always applies a strong yellow tint to the photos. This doesn't always fit. Here's a photo with the main camera compared to the Google Pixel 10 Pro. The colors are more natural there, but the Pixel phone didn't capture the beautiful sunbeams in the sky.
With the ultra-wide-angle camera, I see no compromises compared to the main lens; I'm satisfied.
There's no macro mode, so I shouldn't get too close for a sharp photo.
I really like selfies with both the main and selfie cameras. With the main camera, the skin is slightly softer than with the selfie camera, and the colors are warmer. With the selfie camera, the colors are more natural, and the subject is rendered sharper. Both have their charm.
I recommend the zoom up to three times, as the quality is still good. After that, details are lost – subjects appear too flat.
Finally: night mode. If it weren't for the strong yellow cast on the greenery, I'd find the picture very successful. I even see some twinkling stars in the sky.
Software with Android 17 and AI stuff
The foldable comes with the latest Android 17 and Samsung's One UI 9. You get a generous seven years of updates for Android and security patches.
Samsung advertises many AI functions. However, I find only a few useful, such as live translation during phone calls or a summary of long web articles. Here are a few more useful functions in the selection:
- Translate selected chats
- Transcribe and summarize recordings (voice recordings, lectures, interviews)
- Call assistant that filters calls and asks for the reason for the call
I find the Creative Studio less useful, where I create illustrations with prompts. Or automatically generated wallpapers and photos that I turn into cartoons using AI. That's too trashy for me.
In a nutshell
Hardly anything changed with the latest flip.
The Galaxy Z Flip 8 primarily impresses with its foldable format, chic design, and the ability to take photos with the main camera via the external display. While I can use apps on the outside, it's still limited.
Thus, the overall package is fine, but offers no added value compared to its predecessor, the Galaxy Z Flip 7. The hardware remains the same, except for the new chip, which is barely more powerful. For your budget, I recommend opting for last year's model. Unless you like the colors of the current model so much better that you're willing to spend 300 francs or euros more for it.
Pro
- compact format and good workmanship
- solid hardware and long update periods (7 years)
- good cameras; main camera ideal for selfies
- External display offers more app options ex works
Contra
- an additional app is still required for unrestricted outdoor app use (Multistar)
- hardly any technical innovations compared to the previous model
- no complete dust protection (only IP48)
- strong throttling with high gaming load / heat development
Header image: Michelle Brändle
Ever since I learned how to hold a pen, I've been doodling away in bright colours. Thanks to my iPad, digital art has also become part of my life. That's why I love testing tablets – from the graphic design range to the regular kind. When I feel the urge to express my creativity without lugging lots of equipment, I go for the latest smartphones and start snapping away.
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